Short Story Analysis Essay Instructions
1. Read the following short stories. After reading them, choose one to write about.
“The Proprietress” by Yiyun Li
“Ghosts” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“A Temporary Matter” by Jumpha Lahiri
“Scheherazade” by Haruki Murakami
2. Topic: In a new document, write an essay of at least 750 words in which you make an interpretative claim about the story. Identify a theme and craft a thesis statement that says something interesting about the short story you chose and the theme you’ve identified. Follow the generalized outline found here: Sample outline for interpretive analysis papers
Remember, your thesis needs to say something specific, so for example, if you identify the theme of the story as “love,” you’d need to assert what the story is saying about love. Simply stating “this story is about the importance of love” is not a thesis. Think about what observation or commentary the author is making about human experience.
As noted earlier, your essay should follow the generalize outline found here and include the following:
An introduction that ends with your thesis statement making an interpretative claim about the short story. Please note, a statement must end in a period. Do not ask a rhetorical question. You can review thesis statements here.
An organized discussion that is developed clearly and thoroughly throughout the essay using well crafted body paragraphs (as many as you need). You can review paragraph construction here and here.
Specific examples, which are cited properly, from the short story to support your assertions. See this for how to compile and select evidence.Specific examples, which are cited properly, from the short story to support your assertions. See this for how to compile and select evidence.
A conclusion that summarizes the ideas presented in your essay.
3. Format and Style Guidelines
Your essay should demonstrate college level writing by using standard grammar, spelling, and punctuation and by using focused paragraphs with topic sentences and a variety of clearly articulated sentences.
Write clearly and in your own voice.
Use the appropriate style and tone.
DO NOT write in second person (you/your) and do not use slang. Do not write about whether or not you liked the story.
All papers should follow standard MLA formatting: use a heading, double-spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins, last name and page number on the top right corner, name and word count in thein the paper’s header and a title on the first page. Click here for help with MLA formatting.
4. Note about outside sources: outside sources are not required for this essay, and I prefer that none be used. If you find that your interpretation will be greatly enhanced by the integration of 1 or 2 outside relevant sources, you MUST contact me and let me know a. which sources you wish to use, and b. explain specifically how they are necessary to make your case. Students must contact me for approval at least three days prior to the due date. Papers that make use of secondary sources without advanced approval will be severely penalized.
* This assignment is for Humanities , heres links for sources to guide you an links for one of the short stories you pick ***
https://youtube.com/watch?v=u1eWx9J13iU%3Fmodestbranding%3D1%26autoplay%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D3%26rel%3D0%26showinfo%3D0
http://www.tiger-town.com/whatnot/updike/
http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder718/Unit%2003%20Literary_Analysis_vs_Plot_Summary_vs_Plot_Interpretation.pdf
https://writingcenter.appstate.edu/sites/writingcenter.appstate.edu/files/Tips%20for%20Writing%20a%20Lit%20Analysis.pdf
sources- can only use 1 of these sources no external
https://www.all-story.com/issues/34/stories/277
http://www.all-story.com/issues.cgi?action=show_story&story_id=250
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/l/lahiri-maladies.html?_r=2
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/13/scheherazade-3?src=longreads
