English Literature

Write or present a convincing argument with supporting textual evidence from the texts in the course, as well as others of your own choosing, as to why Shakespeare still matters or does not matter. Explain whether his writing reflects the human condition or not. Is Shakespearean literature still relatable today? Explain with reasons and textual evidence. If writing: In an essay, convince your audience as to why Shakespeare still matters or does not matter. Does his writing reflect the human condition today? Explain your ideas clearly with two to three reasons why Shakespeare still is or is not important today. Introduction (1st paragraph)—Start with a hook that grabs your reader’s attention. Present a claim that tells your audience your position—Does Shakespeare still matter? Does his writing reflect the human condition today, and is his work still relatable? Give your two to three reasons. (3-7 sentences) 2nd paragraph—Explain your first reason with textual evidence from sources (3-7 sentences). 3rd paragraph—Explain your 2nd reason with textual evidence from sources (3-7 sentences). 4th paragraph (optional)—Explain your 3rd reason with textual evidence from sources (3-7 sentences). Conclusion / final paragraph—Summarize your main points in different words, and put emphasis on what you really wanted your reader to learn from your argument.

Your paper should be double- spaced in 12pt. Times New Roman font and have a reference page for your sources. Please follow directions and answer all the questions accordingly. A. Short Response Section. Each response must have 500 words minimum. On Animal Farm (1945) by George Orwell 1. Historical revisionism, also referred to as historical negationism, is defined as “the distortion of the historical record such that certain events appear to have occurred and/or impacted history in a way that is in drastic disagreement with the historical record and/or consensus, and usually meant to advance a (socio-) political view or agenda”. Discuss two instances in Animal Farm that illustrate “historical revisionism/historical negationism”. Use textual evidence to support your discussion/claim. 2. The seven (7) original commandments were core principles of Animalism, the ideological system that was to inform, structure and help to govern Animal Farm following the ouster of Mr. Jones and his men. Pretend that you are one of the animals at the meeting when the commandments are being decided and written. Propose two additional commandments that you believe would prevent the system from collapsing or turning into a despotic government. Explain why you believe your two commandments are important and must be included. On The Metamorphosis (1915) by Franz Kafka 3. Imagine that it is Mr. Samsa, Gregor’s father, who metamorphosed into a monstrous bug instead of Gregor. Create a situation in which you describe how Gregor acted and reacted to the transformation of his father. 4. Gregor’s entire family was a huge burden on him. Write a letter from the perspective of Grete to Mr. and Mrs. Samsa expressing your thoughts and feelings as to why this unfortunate incident—metamorphosis into a monstrous bug and subsequent death— happened to your brother. Find textual illustrations when possible. B. Essay Question. This essay must have a minimum of 1,500 words. The pigs seized the better foods (milk, apples, etc.) and the farmhouse amenities (beds, library, etc.) claiming that they were entitled to them because they were doing the “brain work”. Do you agree or disagree with the pigs’ position? Should intellectuals or manual workers have exclusive privileges due to the nature of their contributions to society? Discuss

Compare “The 5:22” story found at https://georgeharrarbooks.com/the-522/ and also story “The Happy Prince” found at https://mookiejt.neocities.org/happyprince.htm Your comparison should go beyond comparing the “stories” (i.e., plot) and instead focus on elements of the short stories. An example (that does not meet the assignment) would be to compare Chopin’s use of nature in “The Story of an Hour” and “The Storm.” That example would require analyzing the words she uses to evoke nature, as well as detailing why she uses those words and images in each story. Do they have the same purpose and effect, e.g.? Finally, you would need to come to a conclusion about the similarities and differences. You can compare themes, lessons, character, styles, settings or any other element. The point of the essay should be either to show us things that appear similar yet have subtle differences or to show us things that appear very different yet contain similar properties. Requirements: This essay should be prepared in MLA style, with a Works Cited page. MLA style requirements include typed, double-spaced, standard 12-pt font. Organization: Remember your rules for comparison/contrast papers. A “point by point” method is usually better than a “subject by subject” method. That is, if you have three points (similarities/differences), it is probably better to organize your paper the following way: I. Introduction II. Point 1 (similarity/difference) A. Story 1 B. Story 2 III. Point 2 (similarity/difference) A. Story 1 B. Story 2 IV. Point 3 (similarity/difference) A. Story 1 B. Story 2 V. Conclusion Don’t forget to have a thesis. That is, what are you trying to say by making this comparison? The point is not just to make a list of similarities and differences. What do these similarities or differences mean to us?

For your first journal entry, please quote one or two portions of Beowulf and explain how it/they represent predominate aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture. Your journal entry must be at least 300 words in length. Points will be deducted for entries that do not meet the minimum word count or that are not grammatically correct.

1. How would you describe Creon, using a few adjectives or phrases? (Consider especially his self-defense speech against Oedipus’s accusations.) 2. What detail does Jocasta offer Oedipus about Laius’s death, a reason why Oedipus should “take no heed” of oracles? How did she and the slain king think they had outwitted fate? 3. Who does Oedipus think his parents are? (Just give their names.) 4. At what moment in the play do you think Oedipus starts to suspect the truth about himself and what he has done? (Give the line, if possible, and the quote.) 5. According to Professor Johnston’s lecture, how is Oedipus’ defiance central to his heroic nature? 6. Your question is this: is there any character you relate to, and why? (Please don’t say ‘No’ unless you give a detailed answer. You need to have something to say

In this paper, you’re comparing 1 theme in 2 pieces of literature .The paper should not simply be a summary of the two pieces of literature,The paper should use the MLA format (Double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1” margins all around, in-text citations if needed, work cited page if needed, etc.). The essays must have an introduction with a clear thesis statement, a body, and a conclusion.

For this essay, you are to write an evaluation of the book She Said. In your evaluation, you should review Kantor’s and Twohey’s main points in the form of a summary, and then decide whether or not they makes their case. In other words, what is the book’s main argument and did it succeed? If it did, what aspects of the book were successful (use of sources, first hand info, writing style, interviews, logical thinking, etc.? If it did not, what were the problems (bias, illogical thinking, poor sources, etc.)? You should begin your essay with an accurate summary, and then explain what aspects of the book you found strongest, as well as a weakness or two (evaluation). Or, if you found the book to be unsuccessful, focus on the negatives and then afterwards something you thought worked. Finally, you should express your views (opinion) on the topic itself- the power dynamics of powerful men and women in the workplace, the #MeToo Movement, Weinstein’s enablers, etc. This last component of your essay could simply be a longer version of some of your points in the discussion, though it should be a bit more formal. Thus, your essay should have two components: 1. Summary 2. Evaluation 3. Opinion on topic Grading: This will be based on meeting the assignment’s requirements, your use of academic vocabulary, the complexity of your thinking, your use of quotes and paraphrases, and the overall flow and rhythm of your writing.

My discourse community I belong to is women who are single. My argument is why should you wait until marriage to have children vs. having children before marriage? instructor example/ instructions: Tell me what your rhetorical situation is–you’ll be talking to people IN the same discourse community, and you’ll be arguing that WHAT is correct? I might choose college professors as my discourse community, and I could decide to argue that teaching online is superior to teaching in person. So then I would, in my paper, explain my three main reasons (from least convincing to most convincing) why teaching online is better than teaching in person. Then my fourth body paragraph might start with something like “While some people argue that teaching in person is actually better because WHATEVER THEIR REASONING IS, they’re wrong because REASON REASON REASON (supported by evidence, of course, as everything you assert should be).”