Terranova▪ ENC 1102 ▪ Fall 2010
Essay #1
Essay #1 is a literary analysis. Students will choose one of the short stories we’ve read and analyze the story, making
use of the literary devices discussed in class.
Essay #1 must contain the standard essay elements: an introduction which includes the thesis, a body which
elaborates on the thesis statement, and a conclusion which restates the thesis and gives a sense of completion to your
essay.
Essay #1 must contain at least three direct quotes from the chosen text. Papers which do not contain at least three
direct quotes will lose ten points for each missing quote. The essay should include well-developed explication of the three
direct quotes. In other words, the meaning of all quotes should be explained, and they should support the thesis. The essay
must also reference at least one work of criticism that you found though our online databases.
Essay #1 must be 1000-1250 words and follow MLA page format. Essays not following these guidelines will lose
points for each violation of MLA format.
A rough draft of the essay is due at the writing workshop on 10/05/10. The draft should contain the bulk of the
essay (at least two full pages). Bring two copies of your rough draft. You will exchange these drafts with classmates and
peer review. The drafts should be typed, in MLA format and include MLA-style citations and a work cited. Students
arriving at the workshop without the rough drafts will not receive credit for the drafts or for attendance.
Essay #1 is due 10/07/10
Essays turned in after the day the paper is due (until midnight by email with prior approval) will lose 10% credit for
each day the paper is late. The essay will not be accepted after four days.
Steps for Developing Essay #1:
1. Choose a paper topic from the discussions we had in class. Re-read the short story you plan to write about.
2. Develop a thesis by answering the questions asked in the prompt. You do not have to answer every question in your
paper: Rather, the questions should point you towards what you want to say about the story. Remember, a thesis should
sum up the point of your paper in a couple of sentences, and the body of your paper should follow it in content.
3. Re-read the story again, this time taking notes. Pick out parts of the paper which seem to support your thesis statement.
Remember: You do not have room to summarize the entire story in your paper. Pick out only the portions of the story you
think best support your thesis. Remember the text can’t speak for itself, so explicate (explain in detail) all quotes you use.