Final Paper Topic PDF

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Final Paper Prompt...

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Final Paper Topic + Instructions Choose TWO texts to write about: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Voltaire, Candide Albert Camus, The Plague Alison Bechdel, Fun Home Dante, The Inferno

Prompt: For each text: Is there any purpose to life? How do we give our lives meaning? How can we fulfill our potential as human beings, and become aware of who we really are? What is holding us back?

Instructions: 1) Using the prompt as a guide, form a thesis that compares and contrasts your two texts. Your thesis should be as specific as possible.

2) Your essay should analyze the ideas in the texts. Do not give your own opinion (except in a short conclusion at the end, if you want). Do not use outside sources! You do not have to address every part of the prompt – it is just a guide!!

3) Your paper should be 1200-1500 words (about 5 pages), double spaced, 12 pt font.

4) You must include quotes from the texts, and you must give citations. For citations: (author, page number/s)

Upload your essay to canvas.

Due: Monday, December 18

************************************************************************** ***** A few tips for writing the paper: 1) In your intro, state clearly the two texts you will discuss in your essay.

2) You need a good thesis. A thesis is one sentence or more, usually at the end of the first paragraph. A thesis makes clear what points you will subsequently make throughout your essay. Your thesis should in some way compare/contrast the two texts. Make sure your thesis is not vague!! You may want to revise your thesis after you have finished writing the rest of your essay. When constructing your thesis, ask yourself: what is it that I am saying about Voltaire, Camus, or Bechdel? What is the point of my essay? Convey that point in your thesis. Sometimes it helps to explain your ideas out loud. Then write that down as your thesis. As the reader, I should know what your paper is about from the thesis, even without looking at the rest of it! Remember, use the prompt only as a general guide in the formation of your thesis. That means you should not restate the prompt.

3) The point of this assignment is to write an essay that closely analyzes the texts. Do not include superfluous information in your essay (LEAVE OUT THE BS!!). Do not begin your essay with the words: “From the beginning of time…” or “All humankind…” Do not give your “opinion” (except perhaps in the conclusion).

4) Each body paragraph of your paper should be directed at “proving” or “supporting” your thesis. Body paragraphs should provide a deep analysis of the text. You should have a topic sentence that conveys the main point of each paragraph. Then you should offer an explanation/analysis of that text in order to make your statement clear. To support your analysis, you must provide quote(s) from the text (in other words, give examples). Quotes are “proof” or “evidence” that substantiate your analysis (otherwise it looks like you just made things up!). But, make sure to explain quotes fully —they don’t mean anything without you telling us how they support your

analysis. The bulk of your paragraph should be your own words; do not provide a string of quotes as an argument. In most cases, don’t use long block quotes. Your body paragraph should have no extraneous information.

5) Think about the organization of your essay – does it flow logically? Why does one paragraph follow another? An outline will help with this. Always use simple and direct language. You should impress your reader with the strength and depth of your analysis, not with your pretentious vocabulary! Make sure that at any given point in your essay you are clear about which text you are discussing. Do not make your reader (me) “guess” what you are saying.

6) DO NOT use outside sources! That means, you must find evidence to prove your thesis from the primary source texts themselves. I recommend that you skim the texts again, so that your analysis does not come from anywhere else....