Academic integrity: You are not required to do outside research for this essay. If you do consult outside sources, these must be properly documented. This includes (but is not limited to): Both in-text and Works Cited documentation. Citations for quotes

You are not required to do outside research for this essay.

If you do consult outside sources, these must be properly documented. This includes (but is not limited to):

Both in-text and Works Cited documentation.

Citations for quotes, paraphrases and ideas that you got from another source.

Cite EACH SENTENCE that has a quote or paraphrase.

Papers that are not properly documented automatically earn an F.

 

Assignment: Choose ONE of the topics below and then develop/support an argument of your own.

The American Dream says that anyone who works hard will succeed in America. In what way(s) is the real story more complicated than this?

Focus your essay on the analysis of at least 2 works we have read this semester.

Suggestions: Glengarry Glen Ross / Sister Carrie / Two Kinds / What You Pawn I Will Redeem / Do the Right Thing

What is American innocence? What are the advantages/disadvantages of viewing America as innocent?

Focus your essay on the analysis of at least 2 works we have read this semester.

Suggestions: Sister Carrie / Daisy Miller / The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock / What You Pawn I Will Redeem / Recitatif / But Im a Cheerleader

In what ways does postmodernism continue and/or challenge the ideas of modernism?

Focus your essay on the analysis of at least 2 works we have read this semester.

Suggestions: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (modernism) and White Noise (postmodernism)

Choose one or more areas of differencesuch as race, class, gender, orientation, ethnicity, disability, etc. Choose a work of literature we have read and explain the works message about difference.

Suggestions: Glengarry Glen Ross / Sister Carrie / Two Kinds / What You Pawn I Will Redeem / Recitatif / But Im a Cheerleader / Do the Right Thing

Close reading asks us to consider: 1) What the work says, 2) how the work says it, and 3) the significance of what is said. Choose any work of literature we have read this semester and perform a close reading of it.

NOTE 1: Your paper should have a clear argument that runs throughout. Each point that you make should be related to this argument.

NOTE 2: Remember to use (and explain!) quotes from the readings/films. Engage in a dialogue with the texts.