Literary Criticism - 50 points
Due March 14
Early read due March 7
Overview
Write a character analysis for a modern American novel with literary merit; you do not have to limit
yourself to the two prompts from the first criticism. Remember to follow the correct essay format.
Be sure to have a strong thesis and use support from the novel. Avoid plot summary; that is not the
purpose.
I encourage you to choose your own book, but here are some suggestions:
The Corrections, Jonathan Frazen
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
The Hours, Michael Cunningham
The Book of Ruth, Jane Hamilton
Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, Kim Edwards
Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier
Ellen Foster, Kaye Gibbons
The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Amy Tan
These is My Words, Nancy Turner
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford
The Road, Cormac McCarthy
Specifics
You must use two sources: the book and a database. However, you may choose to include any other
sources as long as they are credible. DO NOT USE ANY SOURCES THAT ARE NOT CREDIBLE. If you
are unsure about a source, just come ask me. Plus, you may NOT use any wiki site or Spark Notes--or
anything like wiki or Spark Notes. If you use one of these sources, your paper will be handed back to
you for a redo.
Your paper must be MLA exact. If it is not, it will be given back to you for you to correct. Each time
you must make any corrections, a letter grade will be deducted. Minor MLA errors (punctuation,
spacing, spelling, etc.) will be deducted a half of a point; therefore, for those, your paper will not be
given back to you to correct. (See the section that covers one point mistakes for spelling
clarification.) Make sure you change your margins and follow all of Diana’s specifics, including font:
12 point Times New Roman.
If your criticism is late, a letter grade will be deducted each day.
Remember spelling, punctuation, and grammar count. As a general rule, each minor usage and
mechanical error is a half of a point off. These errors include, but are not limited to, punctuation,
word choice, contractions, improper pronoun usage, and verb tense.
Incomplete sentences and paragraphs are one point off for each error. These include, but are not
limited to, run-ons, comma splices, fragments, and paragraphs with less than five sentences. Our
spelling words are also one point off if misspelled.
Major issues with your paper mean more points will be deducted. These include, but are not limited
to, not having a thesis, having an incomplete or weak thesis, including insufficient analysis or
support, and organizing your paper incorrectly.
If you have questions about anything with your paper, just ask! Plus, you are free to stay after on
Tuesdays with me or on Thursdays in ESS to work on it. However, your best resource is always your
best friend Diana!