For each paper I'd like you to use outside criticism and some of the readings assigned from the Ashcroft text or the Williams and Chrisman collection. If you cannot find criticism dealing with the specific text, then read criticism dealing with the author, the period or the type of literature. Each paper is to be an in-depth analysis of the text using an assigned topic. If you wish to write on another topic, please clear it with me first. I will happily read rough drafts for each paper before they are due, but please get them to me a week before they are due.
Rewrites are due a week after the original paper is returned.
The argument will be judged on how coherent it is, how well expressed it is, how well researched and theorized it is, and how convincing it is. The latter point will depend upon your effective use of the evidence, that is, of the text itself, which must be quoted and analyzed in depth. I expect all papers to conform to the standard MLA style sheet for documentation and form. Any plagiarisms will result in a failure in the class and a letter placed in the student's permanent file. I maintain a file of previous 4.0 papers in my office.