Rough draft due Monday, November 19th
Final draft the week beginning Monday, November 26th
110 Points
In a well developed essay of 800-1200 words, explore one of the essay topics below. Include quotes and specific references to the text to support your thesis. Developing an organic structure for this essay is essential. Refer to the information on the back of this sheet for suggestions about organizing an essay in this way.
Automatic deductions will be taken for the following:
—Not including the author’s full name and title of the work in the essay
—Not citing quotes using the following format: (Author’s Last Name Page Number)
—Not falling within the word range
Topics
The following essay prompts have been culled from Advanced Placement English Literature exams. Each one appeared as Question 3, the open-ended question. These prompts require a response that shows how specific elements of a story work to reveal something larger, a task which lends itself to organic structuring.
1. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly that the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader’s or audience’s views. Do not merely summarize the plot. (1987)
2. “The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter” –George Meredith Choose a novel, play, or long poem in which a scene or character awakens “thoughtful laughter” in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is “thoughtful” and how it contributes to the meaning of the work. (1993)
3. In a novel or play, a confidant (male) or a confidante (female) is a character, often a friend or relative of the hero or heroine, whose role is to be present when the hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in. Frequently the result