English 3401: Second Essay
Contents
Instructions
Write an essay on some aspect of one or more works we have studied this term. The following are some suggested topics to prompt your thinking. You are encouraged to create your own or adapt these topics to your interests:
- Anachronism: Many of the works we have studied this semester involve the use of anachronism or the mixing of characters and events from various sources, times, and places more generally. Discuss the function of anachronism in one or more works studied this semester.
- Gender: Do the works studied this semester show a strong sense of gender and gender roles? Discuss how gender is portrayed in relation to one or more works studied this semester.
- Genre: Burrow suggests that Middle English genres do not map easily on to modern conceptions of genre. Discuss Medieval sense of genre and/or the relationship between medieval and modern senses of genre in relation to one or more works studied this semester.
- Race and Ethnicity: Is race or ethnicity a factor in any of the works we studied this semester? How (if it is a factor) is it used? Discuss in relation to one or more works studied this semester.
- Play: Discuss the role of play in one or more works studied this semester.
Purpose
The goal of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to investigate your own understanding of the literature we have been reading and improve your skills as a literary critic and researcher.
Rubric
For this project, I will be following my standard essay rubric.
Due date and Length.
- Due: April 18, 23:59.
- Location: Hand the essay in on Turnitin (instructions for how to sign-up in Turnitin and register for this class can be found on our class page in Moodle).
- Length: Between 1500 and 2000 words (±10%).
- Presentation: Please follow my standard style sheet.
Value
This essay will be worth at least 20% of your grade. If it is your highest mark in the class, it will be worth 35%. See the relevant section of the syllabus for details.
