You will be writing an essay analyzing the works we have read in this unit: “The Minister’s Black Veil,” “Not Waving but Drowning,” “Richard Cory,” and “Miniver Cheevy.” You will discuss the common theme of isolation, whether it is self imposed or not, found among ALL the literature in this unit, meaning do the actions of the main characters cause their isolation, or are they trying to fit into society, but society is isolating them? You must decide. Finally, include the consequences or results and whether they are positive or negative (many do this section in the concluding paragraph). You should have an intro with thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion. The essay should be written according to MLA guidelines. Within the module, you will find a sentence-by-sentence outline and sample direct quotes to show you how to properly include direct quotes. USE THIS INFORMATION.
Next, the works cited page is also due
Outline for Essay 1
Introduction:The introduction should introduce and prepare your readers for the essay without telling them the outline of your essay. For example, you may want to talk about isolation in general; you could talk about introverted vs extroverted personalities; you could talk about suicide or depression; you could talk about how social media makes us feel like we are a part of something greater, but we are still isolated to a degree. Since each of these works focuses on the main characters’ feelings of isolation, this topic will lead into the thesis. Thesis Statement: The thesis should be the last sentence of the Introduction. It tells the focus of the entire essay. The rest of the essay simply supports that your thesis is true. The thesis should include the literature titles and/or authors and should mention the theme of isolation. DO NOT ANNOUNCE! (see pg 71 of textbook in Redshelf)
Sample thesis statement models:
In (titles of works), (authors’ names) (illustrate or show) the theme of isolation.
(Authors’ names) (show, develop, or illustrate) the theme of isolation in (poem and story titles).
Body Paragraphs One of the paragraphs will cover two works. Decide which two you want to put into one paragraph. Some choose the two works that feature a mixture of imposed and self-imposed isolation. Others choose the two poems by the same author. Just make sure the two works you put into one paragraph have something that connects them. 1. Literary Selection: ______________________________________________a. Topic Sentence: This sentence introduces the first literary work you will discuss and gives direction to the paragraph. It must refer back to thesis and have a transition. Be specific. For example, you may want to identify the main character and the type of isolation experienced. b. Lead in sentence: This sentence gives an example of why the topic sentence is true. This part of the paragraph analyzes what is happening in the literary work that is important and crucial to your point. c. Direct Quote (with correct parenthetical documentation) that gives evidence of the example: The direct quote that you choose must support what your paragraph is about; it can’t be just some direct quote thrown randomly into the paragraph. Make sure the direct quote flows with the paragraph. The direct quote should be blended into your sentence or have an attributive tag. When using an attributive tag, you will tell who says the quote. (Please see the sample direct quotes page in the module.)d. Comment: Make a comment about the direct quote or about the example. This is when you explain the importance of the quote. You can also analyze more during this section.e. Concluding sentence closes the paragraph: This sentence should come to a point. It concludes the paragraph. 2. Literary Selection: ______________________________________________a. Topic Sentence (must refer back to thesis and have a transition):b. Lead in sentence that gives an example of why the topic sentence is true:c. Direct Quote with correct parenthetical documentation:d. Comment: make a comment about the direct quote or about the examplee. Concluding sentence closes the paragraph:3. Literary Selections: ______________________________________________a. Topic Sentence (must refer back to thesis and have a transition): This topic sentence is a little different because you must address both works in the paragraph and identify the common element between them. b. Lead in sentence that gives an example of why the topic sentence is true: Begin explaining the first work mentioned in the topic sentence following the same guidelines as the other lead-in sections in the previous paragraphs. c. Direct Quote with correct parenthetical documentation: The direct quote should be from the first work being discussed. d. Comment: At this point in the paragraph, you should discuss the importance of the direct quote and begin to lead into the second literary work of the paragraph. e. Lead in sentence that gives an example of why the topic sentence is true: Begin analyzing the second work mentioned in the topic sentence following the same guidelines as the other lead-in sections in the previous paragraphs; however, you will add language that indicates the connection to the previous work. f. Direct Quote with correct parenthetical documentation: The direct quote should be from the second work being discussed. g. Comment: Explain the importance of the direct quote from the second literary workh. Concluding sentence closes the paragraph: This section should end the paragraph and make sure the reader understands the connection between the two worksConclusion Topic Sentence:Give your opinion about the literature; for example, do you agree with the authors’ implications? Which works did you like best or least? (See page 73 of the textbook in Redshelf. )When you are writing, be sure to use PRESENT TENSE VERBS to discuss the literature. Also, use the proofreading page in the first module. Many lose points for minor errors simply because they don’t take the time to read and apply the rules.
Stevie Smith’s “Not Waving but Drowning”
Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he’s dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,
They said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always
(Still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning.
Work Cited: Smith, Stevi
Edwin Arlington Robinson’s “Miniver Cheevy” and “Richard Cory”
” Miniver Cheevy”
Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,
Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;
He wept that he was ever born,
And he had reasons.
Miniver loved the days of old
When swords were bright and steeds were prancing;
The vision of a warrior bold
Would set him dancing.
Miniver sighed for what was not,
And dreamed, and rested from his labors;
He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot,
And Priam’s neighbors.
Miniver mourned the ripe renown
That made so many a name so fragrant;
He mourned Romance, now on the town,
And Art, a vagrant.
Miniver loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.
Miniver cursed the commonplace
And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;
He missed the mediæval grace
Of iron clothing.
Miniver scorned the gold he sought,
But sore annoyed was he without it;
Miniver thought, and thought, and thought,
And thought about it.
Miniver Cheevy, born too late,
Scratched his head and kept on thinking;
Miniver coughed, and called it fate,
And kept on drinking.
Work Cited:
Robinson, E.A. “Miniver Cheevy.” Poetry Foundation, n.d., www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/44978.
“Richard Cory”
Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
“Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.
Work Cited:
Robinson, E.A. “Richard Cory.” Poetry Foundation, n.d., www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/44982
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