Literary Criticism Essay Assignment Sheet
Peer Evaluation Due: April 9, 2014 by 3:00 p.m.
Final draft due: April 17, 2014
Points: 130 points possible
Length/format: 4-6 full pages, typed Times New Roman, 12 Point Font, Double Spaced, MLA
Purpose: This essay requires you to create a formal critical analysis of a piece of fiction. This type of application is one you will encounter as you continue your college career. This type of analysis will give you a deeper insight into the text and perhaps will reveal something about yourself or the world.
Task: Write a character analysis that discusses why this person does/does not achieve his or her American Dream in The Tortilla Curtain.
Essay Elements: The following elements must be included in your essay.
I. INTRODUCTION:
a. Use one of the format techniques discussed in class. Remember, your introduction should lead your reader to your thesis
b. Identify the author, title of the book and offer a brief plot summary of the text (2-3 sentences, max!)
c. You must have a main point, “THESIS” that focuses the essay around the analysis of the character and the outcome of the dream for that character.
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II. BODY:
a. Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence identifying the part of the character you will be analyzing.
b. Include at least one textual reference in each body paragraph in support of your claims. Remember you audience! You do not need to retell the plot of the story. It does not need to be in order of the text, though chronological order is always acceptable.
c. Offer thoughtful analysis of the textual evidence explaining how the textual evidence supports or proves the thesis statement
III. CONCLUSION
a. Recapitulation of thesis statement
b. The conclusion uses one of the techniques discussed in class
