English 2850H, fall 2013Smith

Short Essay 1

Due in class on Sep. 30

You will write a4-5 page essay looking at two works on two different days of the syllabus between Sep 9 and Sep 25. Using your chosen two works as a starting point, come up with an interesting and specific argument in response to one of the following broad topics.

  1. The Great Chain of Being

We have discussed the importance of the Great Chain of Being to humankind’s conception of itself and society in Enlightenment Europe. What is your opinion of the Great Chain and its impact on people? Is an overriding sense of order in the universe, along with a conviction about humanity’s proper place in that order, a good or bad thing? Look at how Pope explores the benefits of the Great Chain of Being in Essay on Man and compare it to a depiction of man’s place in the “natural” order of things in any other work we’ve read so far. Based on Pope and your chosen work, make an argument about whether or not the concept of the Great Chain of Being improves people’s lives and wellbeing.

  1. Views of Women

Several of the works we’ve read so far portray compelling, clever, and/or complicated female characters or represent the views of a female author (Sor Juana). Choose two female characters/author from two different works as examples. Based on these characters/author, what claim can you make about women’s status, their possible roles in society and family life, their access to power, or common perceptions (and misperceptions) of women at the time?

  1. Eastern and Western Perspectives

We have read representatives of both Western and Eastern thought in the 17th/18th centuries. Based on our(admittedly limited) sample, do you see any interesting conflicts or correspondences in early modern Eastern and Western thought—something striking and specific that illuminates our understanding of the texts in question? Using one Western and one Eastern text, compose an argument about the striking difference or similarity you note. The challenge here (as in all these topics, really) is to make an argument that adds to our understanding of the texts. If you merelycompose a catalogue of differences or similarities, it will not be an effective analytical essay—regardless of how interesting those differences and similarities may be.You need to isolate a correspondence or conflict about which you can make a meaningful argument, and your point shouldn’t be simply about cultural differences (though you can touch on those) but should also pertain directly to the texts themselves.

  1. Modernity and Literature

Take another look at the handout I provided in the first class on the features and concerns of ancient vs. modern literature. Choose one of the main concerns—how society is organized; the rights and responsibilities of individuals; material well-being; or spiritual and psychological well-being—and fashion an interesting argument about how two of our readings engage with or bump up against that concern.

Requirements of the Essay

1. Choose two of the following to use as evidence to support the major claim in your essay:

  • Molière, Tartuffe
  • Saikaku, “Life of a Sensuous Woman”(1686)
  • Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Poems 145 or 164 or “Philosophical Satire” or a selection of Haiku
  • Pope, An Essay on Man, Epistle I
  • Akinari, “Bewitched”

2. Have a strong, narrow focus and a good thesis. A good thesis for this assignment is an argument, based on the literature you’re writing about, that is not too obvious or immediately true to every reader. It’s your interpretation or opinion; it’s something interesting and provocative that you can substantiate using evidence from your chosen texts.

3. Use at least two and no more than four quoted passages from each work you use. Choose rich, juicy passages with (for instance) compelling images or complex claims that you can analyze to help advance your thesis.

4. How long can your quotes be? A good rule of thumb for the length of quoted passages is to cite at least one sentence or two lines of poetry, and no more than four or five sentences or eight or nine lines of poetry.

5. Cite your sources using MLA in-text citation method, as evidence to support your claims. An MLA in-text citation guide is on the blog Handouts page. Please give the page numbers in parentheses after any quoted evidence. This way, your readers can locate your quotes and see the context for them, if desired.

6. Analyze and explain the relevance of the quotations you use. Don’t expect your readers to understand the meaning of your quotes or appreciate their value to your argument.

7. I will provide a handout in class in preparation for Essay 1, “Tips for Essay 1,” with more definitions and instruction on thesis and analysis. We will discuss this handout prior to the essay due date. The handout will also outline basic suggestions, such as title your essay and number your pages (which you should always do).

8.Include a Cover Letter: Your letter should reflect on your creative process, your writing process, the work you’ve tried to do, and what you would do if you had more time. Letters should be informal, direct, and specific.For your Essay 1 cover letter, write at least one page, typed and double-spaced, in the form of a letter. What is your thesis? Be sure to state it in the form of an argument, a position. Where in your essay do you state your thesis? What specific paragraph do you like the most in your essay? Why? Name 2-3 concerns or questions you have about this essay.

Possible Grades for Essay 1

  • A or A-, no revision
  • B or C range grade, revision optional or recommended (the final grade will be the average of the first draft and revision grades). If you choose to revise, I ask you to make an appointment to meet with me within one week of getting back your graded essay.
  • NG (no grade), revision required. The final grade will be the grade you receive on the revision after a consultation with me.