The Art of Fiction
Prof. Anthony
17 February 2015
PAPER #2:
Juxtaposing Two Short Stories
Due Date:
Introduction Due: 03 March 2015
Full Draft Due: 05 March 2015
Final Draft Due: 10 March 2015
Papers must be handed in at the beginning of class on this date.
Papers will NOT be accepted late and will NOT be accepted via email.
Length:
4-5 pages – must go onto the top of the 5th page
Format:
MLA format. Double-spaced (no added space between paragraphs), 1”
margins, last name and page numbers (top-right corner of the page), 12-point
Times font. Create a short header with your name. Cite AUTHOR and page
numbers parenthetically.
Texts:
Your paper will focus on “Shiloh” by Bobbie Ann Mason (569-78) and “Sweat”
by Zora Neale Hurston (529-37).
For this paper, you will use NO outside sources. Do NOT consult the internet.
Topic:
For your second paper, you will need to juxtapose the theme of Gender Roles in
both “Shiloh” and “Sweat.”
If you would like to choose a different central theme that is present in BOTH
stories, YOU MUST GET APPROVED to do so by FRIDAY, 20 March.
While it may be tempting to fall into the familiar rhythms of compare and
contrast for this assignment, please be aware that your task here is not simply to
record the similarities and differences you find in these texts. Rather, you are to
illustrate how the theme is depicted in both stories.
When planning your paper, consider these questions:
How do both works engage the concept/theme on which you have chosen to
focus?
Why do they engage with the concept/theme in the way that they do?
Your task is to formulate an argument (thesis) that draws evidence from each
text. You must NOT simply catalogue differences, but rather create meaning
from said differences. Refer to the elements of fiction (plot, point of view,
character, symbol, theme, etc.) in your search for topics to focus on.
The Art of Fiction
Prof. Anthony
17 March 2015
Writing tasks:
Open your paper with an INTRODUCTION paragraph that includes:
 Relevant background information: This should comprise only two or three
sentences for each story. This is NOT a summary of the text.
 Topics: Your paper should contain NO LESS than THREE (3) and NO MORE than
FIVE (5) topics (ideas). Here you will briefly introduce these topics.
 Thesis: Your thesis should clearly present your interpretation, how and why
“Shiloh” and “Sweat” engage in the concept/theme. Typically, your thesis will be
the final sentence of your introduction.
Organize your paper’s body by the topics that develop your interpretation. Work to focus
and “push” your thinking.
Perform a close reading that supports your interpretation of the story. See the “Close
Reading” handout. A close reading examines the story itself for clues about its meaning,
paying careful attention to key words, phrases, images, literary elements, and structures of the
story. (A close reading does not look at critical articles or historical information.)
Explain short key passages from BOTH short stories that work to support your argument;
provide close readings of lots of evidence from the text.
Suggested Format:
- Introduction
- First connection to the theme (i.e. topic 1)
Short Story A & B (discussed in multiple paragraphs)
- Second connection to the theme (i.e. topic 2)
Short Story A & B (discussed in multiple paragraphs)
- Third connection to the theme (i.e. topic 3)
Short Story A & B (discussed in multiple paragraphs)
- Conclusion that explains the significance of your thesis statement in a larger context. Although a
conclusion should provide a sense of closure, it should not make broad
generalizations. Rather, your conclusion should briefly remind your reader of your
topics and how they ultimately relate to your thesis.
The Art of Fiction
Prof. Anthony
17 March 2015
PAPER #2 – GRADING RUBRIC
INTRODUCTION – paper makes proper use of each element of an introduction: background,
topics, and thesis
THESIS – paper presents a central argument or claim that considers how both works engage the
concept/theme on which you have chosen to focus? and why they engage with the concept/theme in
the way that they do?
CONCEPTUAL THINKING – the body of the paper presents defined and developed ideas.
JUXTAPOSTION – the paper does NOT simply catalogue differences, but rather creates meaning
from said differences. Refer to the elements of fiction (plot, point of view, character, symbol,
theme, etc) in your search for a concept/theme to focus on.
CLOSE READING – paper presents enough evidence to support thesis and presents a close, slow,
detailed analysis of specific words, phrases, and literary elements and structures.
FORMATTING – MLA format: Double-spaced (no added space between paragraphs), 1” margins,
last name and page numbers (top-right corner of the page), 12-point Times font. Create a short
header with your name. Cite AUTHOR and page numbers parenthetically. Consult the MLA Guide
at Purdue OWL (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/)