ENG 102
Short Fiction Analysis Essay
The Assignment: Write an essay of approximately 1000 words in which you analyze the use of the various elements of fiction in the development of a theme in a piece of short fiction. Your essay will analyze one of the short stories from the following list.

The Country Husband by John Cheever (p. 71 in the course text)

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner (p. 467 in the course text)

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (p. 284 in the course text)
Suggested Essay Development: Your essay should describe how the author used each of the elements of fiction discussed in this course (plot, point of view, character, setting, tone and style, and symbolism) to build the theme of their story. Your discussion of each element should point clearly back to the story’s theme. A basic outline for this essay would look like this:
I. Introduction a. Short synopsis of the story b. A brief discussion of the primary theme of the story
II. Plot a. How the plot helped build the theme of the story
III. Point of View a. How point of view helped build the theme of the story
IV. Character a. How the characters helped build the theme of the story
V. Setting a. How the setting helped build the theme of the story
VI. Tone & Style a. How the tone & style helped build the theme of the story
VII. Symbolism a. How the authors use of symbolism helped build the theme of the story
VIII. Conclusion
The most difficult part of this assignment will be keeping this essay to 1000 words.
Time Frame
1/28/2009 – Assignment Received
2/23/2009 – Rough Drafts Due
2/25/2009 – Rough Drafts Returned
3/02/2009 – Final Draft Due
Grade
This assignment is worth a total of 100 points or 10% of your grade for the entire course. This assignment will be graded as follows:
Rough Draft (reviewable draft turned in on time)
Concept/Analysis
Structure
Mechanics
Final Draft Total
10
40
25
25
100