Choose ONE of the options below and offer an analysis of a character in the passage. Your analysis might be in relation to another character, object, or setting (which may be considered a “character” if you can explain why). It should only focus on one character and your thesis should include a specific adjective or quality that best describes this character, which will help to ensure that you offer some sort of argument; a strong thesis will also suggest why this characteristic is significant (a “so what?”). You may discuss the passage in the context of the larger work and/or genre of which it is a part, but concentrate primarily on the passage itself since this is a “passage analysis” after all. The paper must have an introduction, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion, and it should be written in formal language. Take a look at the rubric for more information. Also, avoid summarizing the passage, which will offer little or no analysis, and do not draw ideas from any other online or print sources. No sources other than the passage and the course lectures are to be used for this assignment. See the FAQ for information on citing course lectures and “Useful Links” for additional resources on essays and MLA style. You must clearly reference all quotations and paraphrases from course materials and include a Works Cited page. For this assignment, only the story will be in your Works Cited (unless you refer to any course modules) but be sure to offer a compete citation based on MLA criteria from which a reader would know exactly where to find that same text (if you use a print source, in-text citations must have page numbers; for online sources, when there are no chapters, the author’s last name is sufficient as in the practice draft). Passage options: The last three paragraphs (530 words) of “The Fall of the House of Usher” from “‘Not hear it?'” (Poe) to the end of the story. The last 542 words of “Dracula’s Guest” from “Instinctively I raised my hand” (Stoker) to the end of the story. In order to offer a strong passage analysis: Be sure to make an explicit claim about a defining quality of this character; this quality might be subtle at first glance (in fact, a great paper will show more than the obvious). Be specific rather than broad by identifying a precise adjective or phrase: calling a character good or innocent, bad or greedy, evolving, or indifferent says very little (in what sense is unclear and, realistically, anyone can be called those things). Support your claim throughout. Why should the reader agree and what are you illuminating? What’s the “so what?” or takeaway of your insight in regard to the story, its theme, or some larger issue? Read the passage closely and search for evidence of characteristics, motives, reactions, and so on. You should cite at least a word or phrase from the passage in each body paragraph of your essay. Write in developed paragraphs that have one focus or sub-argument but also include support as well as your elaboration for this point, and integrate all quotations from the passage rather than pasting in sentences without context (see the practice draft below for examples of both). Please go with passage option 2 (Dracula’s Guest) Please follow exact instructions in MLA (double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins)
