English 123 – Rosichan
Final Exam: An In-Class Essay
Analyzing the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates
OR
“Bartleby the Scrivener” by Herman Melville
to be written in class—NO EXCEPTIONS*
Length:
Minimum of 1,000 words & 5 paragraphs
Value:
150 points
Style:
MLA Style, handwritten in blue books. Skip lines, and indent the first line of
each paragraph. Quote and cite correctly. Number the pages you use in the top
right corner. And number the blue books if you use more than one.
Directions.
Write a claim-driven argument about Prompt #1 OR Prompt #2:
Prompts:
1. Make an argument that Joyce Carol Oates’ story “Where Are You Going, Where Have
You Been?” is a version of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” analyzing it in
comparison to Perrault’s and/or Grimm’s version of the fairy tale. Present, interpret, and
analyze evidence from “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” to support and
develop your claim.
OR
2. Make an argument about whom the story is about—the unnamed narrator or Bartleby (or
both if ambitious)—and based on your answer, identify, prove, and analyze Melville’s
argument about humanity or human nature.
Note: You may use 1 small index card (with notes and/or an outline on both sides) to help you
during the exam as well as your annotated copy of “Where Are You Going, Where Have
You Been” or “Bartleby the Scrivener.” You will need to turn in the notecard and
annotated copy of the story with your exam.