3 pages

We’ve discussed several themes from ((The Bonesetter’s Daughter_, themes that illuminate ongoing issues in the world today. For your third essay, you have two choices. A.) you may write a literary analysis

 

Focusing on deconstructing the novel and arguing for your interpretation of it. Or B.) You may pick and analyze a theme/issue from the novel that highlights a particular problem, situation or idea, and then argue for your own position on the issue and for its significance and importance in our world today. For choice B, you will be writing a text-based argument that focuses on the issue but uses the novel as springboard and evidentiary source.

Your primary objective for this paper will be to make a well-informed, carefully considered contribution to an ongoing conversation or debate about an important topic. Your audience for this essay is comprised of scholars who are interested in your topic and who may be aware of the important texts, thinkers and arguments frequently cited within your chosen conversation. However, while your readers may be familiar with some of the more influential voices that you will cite, they will expect you to remind them of key words or statements. These academic readers like texts, and they respect well-read participants of the conversation, so you should use textual support as a way of establishing your own credibility.

Manuscript Notes
: Your essay should be thesis-driven and be supported by logical and well-developed reasons, evidence and explanations. Your evidence should derive from texts read in this class and from outside research, supporting not only your claims but also referencing possible counterarguments and opposing views. Your essay should include at least 2 outside researched sources. This essay should be at least 3 pages in length (3 full pages) and be formatted according to MLA guidelines using Times New Roman 12 pt. font and 1” margins. You must include a Works Cited page at the end of your essay (this page is not part of the 3 pages). When you quote key phrases or clauses, you must provide proper MLA parenthetical documentation