Purpose: The goal of this assignment is to engage the student in literary analysis with only a primary source. It requires students work on literary analysis, textual integration, citation in MLA, as well as the basic elements of good writing: thesis, topic sentences, (claim-evidence-explain) paragraph structure, transitions, and overall use academic language. This primary source analysis essay could be used as a first draft of the later research paper in the end of the semester.
Task Specifications: The paper must include direct evidence from the primary source. The paper must include paragraphs. The paper must be in MLA format. The paper should be a final draft and therefore error-free. The paper must be 3 pages (it must reach the third page of the document). The fourth page of the document will be the Works Cited page.
Grading Criteria:
An A Essay: The paper engages a primary source and meets the required length. The paper is argumentative and offers a clear and direct presentation of a reading of the primary text. The paper accurately integrates textual evidence in every body paragraph to prove its point. It offers a quotation and an explanation of the quotations which provides the reader with context and explanation (assume your readers have not read the primary text). The papers paragraphs are logical and expertly move the reader from point to point with clear, assertive topic claims. The paragraphs each analyze and explain only one point each. The papers thesis is direct and argumentative and proven in each body paragraph where the topic claims in each paragraph are directly related back every single time to the papers main thesis claim.
Testimonials
argumentative essay