English

 

 

Start by selecting one of the short stories assigned by your instructor. Brainstorm to identify the literary element that you would like to explore in the story. Then, develop a thesis that offers a specific interpretation of this element. If you have trouble coming up with a thesis, contact your instructor, who will help you. Do not do any outside research at this point. Use APA formatting and citations.

Tips for the Essay

1. Open your introduction with an engaging opener, such as a question, quote from the story, or interesting idea. Then, connect to the short story and mention the title and the author. End your introduction with a thesis statement that interprets a literary element of the story.
2. The body paragraphs should support your thesis. Present specific aspects of the short story that help to illustrate your points. Make sure to quote from the story and analyze specific lines that support your argument. Body paragraphs typically have at least two short quotations each as supporting evidence.
3. Include a strong concluding paragraph that summarizes your main points and explains the significance of the thesis. Finish this paragraph with a strong and satisfying ending.

Lawrence, “The Rocking Horse Winner”

Lawrence, D. (1929) The rocking horse winner. Cengage: Gale College Collection. Gale College Collection Anthology – Document – Gale College Collection

Walker, “Everyday Use”

Walker, A. (1973). Everyday use. Harper’s Magazine. https://harpers.org/archive/1973/04/everyday-use/

Hemingway, “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”

Hemingway, Earnest. (1933) A clean, well-lighted place. Gale College Collection Anthology (Vol. 5). Gale Literature Classics. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/WUYACS021038031/GCCO?u=omni&sid=bookmark-GCCO&pg=128096449&xid=55322ca3

O’Brien, “The Things They Carried”

O’Brien, T. (1990) The things they carried. Gale College Collection Anthology, vol. 4, Gale Literature Classics, 2022. Gale College Collection, link.gale.com/apps/doc/GBLXKZ587179055/GCCO?u=omni&sid=bookmark-GCCO&pg=128096403&xid=9b32a8fa. Accessed 25 Dec. 2022.

O’Connor, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”

O’Connor, F. (1953). A good man is hard to find. Gothic Digital Series. https://repositorio.ufsc.br/bitstream/handle/123456789/160332/A%20good%20man%20is%20hard%20to%20find%20-%20Flannery%20O%27Connor.pdf