Toomer Paper Assignment

Critical Response Paper #1
Paper Due:
Friday, February 29 (500 word minimum)

** Bring Four Copies! **
Typed, Double-Spaced, with Outline

Failure to submit an outline will result in the loss of 2/3 of a letter grade on the final paper !

Please also Bring Three Peer-Editing Sheets
** HAND-WRITTEN PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!! **

Final Paper Due: Friday, March 21
In a Folder, Bring:

Rough Draft w/ Peer Editing Sheets
Final Draft (Minimum 500 Words)
Typed, Double-Spaced, with Revised Outline, Works Cited Page, and Parenthetical Citations!

Failure to submit a Revised outline will result in the loss of 2/3 of a letter grade on the final paper !

The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to discuss one of the works we have NOT read so far this semester from a critical perspective. This means that you will not focus on your personal response to the work: "I liked this story because I could relate to the main character's situation." While such a discussion could be a very interesting and important one, it does not fit the scope of this class, which is designed to develop your critical discussion skills. Specifically:

Select one story or one or two poems (depending on length) or one poem and one story from Cane that we have NOT DISCUSSED in class.

Failure to observe this requirement will result in the loss of 2/3 of a letter grade for the final paper.

Develop a thesis about this work/these works in terms of its/their use of theme, imagery, symbolism or other literary techniques.
Support that thesis by presenting quoted evidence from the text(s)
Some possible topics can be found here , though they might be more helpful for the research paper.

The following is from a page I developed for a previous class:

First and foremost, remember that this is a Critical response paper, NOT a Personal response paper.
You must maintain an academic perspective throughout your paper. You are presenting an argument and supporting it with evidence from the text or other sources. Therefore, AVOID the following types of statements: "It seems to me," "I think," "I believe," and "It is obvious that." In fact, try to avoid using the first person altogether.

It must contain a strong thesis statement in a strong introductory paragraph.
Be sure your first paragraph is an overview of the contents of your essay. It's almost like an outline for your reader that is written in complete sentences. Sometimes it's helpful to go back and refocus your first paragraph after you've finished your essay.

The body of the essay should be filled with information related to your thesis.
Each paragraph has a topic sentence and a concluding sentence. You should use evidence within your paragraphs which further explains what your topic sentence introduced. Don't forget to clearly express your own opinions. Avoid repeating yourself.

Avoid plot summary! Use quotes from only those sections of the text immediately relevant to your discussion!

Use present tense when discussing literature.
Each time your read a text, the events "occur" all over again. Therefore, as you describe these events, always use present verb tense: "Oedipus blinds himself after he discovers his mother's body in the bedroom." "Brent escapes to freedom after she spends seven years in an attic."

Evidence is needed in your paper.
Be sure to "back up" all your points with either examples from the text, citations from the text or your outside resources.
Using proper MLA format, include parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page.

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are critical to your reader.
Good grammar will make your ideas clearer to your reader.
Proofread your paper. Check for spelling errors.
Do not use run-on sentences. Again, it's better to make shorter clearer sentences than long confusing ones.
Commas are often needed when you do write a longer sentence (but don't overuse them!).
Try to use smooth transitions between one paragraph and the next.

A strong conclusion leaves your reader fulfilled and your paper complete.
Briefly sum up your thesis. Perhaps your final thesis has a little more content than the thesis in your introductory paragraph because the reader now knows where you are coming from.
Don't be afraid to make your final paragraph REALLY COUNT in some way. Again, it gives the reader something to remember you by.

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