Requirements:
In our discussions of short stories, poems, and T.C. Boyles novel The Tortilla Curtain, many topics/issues connected with multiculturalism have been raised. In this essay, you will demonstrate careful analysis of one of these topics/issues as presented in 2-3 texts from the semesters readings. This essay is a literary analysis of theme(s) the texts explored.
Book= The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle
1. Quoting from texts:
o In order to write a literary analysis of texts, you must quote specific words, sentences, images, etc., from the texts as evidence to support your observations. Because this is a relatively short essay, you need to be deliberate in the quotes you choose. They should not be long because most of the essay should be your own discussion of the quotes relevance to your essays thesis.
o You should not quote events. If you are going to talk about a specific event in the story, you only need to identify the event and then move directly to your point about the events relevance to your thesis. For example, you could begin: When _______ . By beginning with when, your reader knows where you are in the story.
o Consider how much your reader needs to know. For this essay, your reader knows the texts, so you do not need to provide extensive plot summary. Your reader only needs enough information to know which scene you are talking about. However, you need to say quite a lot when you are discussing your thoughts about the book.
o Make sure every quote includes an in text citation in MLA style. You must include page numbers for quotes always!
o Because you are using more than one text, your in-text citation needs to include authors last name AND page number.
o Warning: If you are retelling large chunks of the story, your essay is in trouble! This essay is not a book report. It is an analysis.
2. Secondary sources are prohibited. In this essay, you are exploring your own thoughts about the texts. Therefore, do not consult outside sources. Trust your own thinking, class discussion, and online discussions.
3. Incorporating your own experience:
o In this essay, you are welcomed to draw on your experiences as a way of expanding your discussion.
o If you choose to incorporate a personal experience, it must be brief and must illustrate a point you are making.
o Keep reminding yourself that this essay is about texts. If you catch yourself writing more than a few sentences about your experience, pause and ask yourself what the connection is to texts.
4. Format & Correctness
MLA style is required for formatting this essay. You are required to use MLA heading and citation format. If you are not sure what MLA looks like, look it up! On Blackboard, I provided a navigation link to Purdue Universitys Online Writing Lab (OWL). Use the link for access to OWLs MLA reference guide. There is no excuse for not following MLA.
Proofread, proofread, proofread! Although typos are a part of life, there is a difference between the occasional typo and a pattern of errors. At the very least, essays must be free of capitalization errors, misspelled words, sentence fragments, run on sentences, and punctuation errors. The essay should be written primarily in one verb tense. Careful attention to correctness demonstrates respect for both your ideas and for your reader.
