Close Analyses

Students will closely analyze an important passage from most of the texts we read. Each entry begins with any key passage from the work at the top of the page, followed by a 1-2 page (250-400 words not incl. the citation or Works Cited) close analysis of details in that passage. This page about literary elements might also help you identify the function of keywords in the passage. The purpose of this assignment is to practice literary analysis, which argues for the importance of symbols, tone, and word choice in understanding larger themes in a literary text. Sometimes we don't get a chance in class to really focus on one passage the way I hope you will do in these close analyses. Please include a Works Cited.

These short writing exercises are not officially graded until they are presented in a revised Portfolio at the end of the semester (see below). It is easier for me to comment on your analysis if you copy and paste it to Blackboard. Owing to scheduling difficulties, I am afraid I am NOT able to read late submissions, although I do expect to see them in the final Portfolio.

The final Portfolio includes a critical intro., your TOP 3 analyses + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills, and all originals you submitted with my comments attached. If you wish to submit all 4 assigned analyses, you may; I average the top 3 scores. The cover letter should self-evaluate your own analyses and address the following questions: How have these writing exercises aided your thinking this semester? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your analyses? What is your best analysis, and why? What grade would you give yourself for this assignment? Consider the following guidelines in averaging your grade:

Check plus = Very Good/Great/Excellent (88-100 range): Shows excellent understanding of the material. Provides a close and an original analysis that articulates the reader’s position on the text, and demonstrates an ability to argue for the importance of details in a literary passage. Needs very little or no revision.
Check = Okay/Fine/Good/Very Good (78-87 range): Shows fine understanding of themes and issues in the text, and may provide more summary than close analysis of details in the passage. Provides a summary that may need some revision, such as articulating the reader’s position and argument, providing support for assertions, and writing in an academic style.
Check minus = Unsatisfactory/Okay (0-78 range): Shows poor understanding of the material. Provides an unclear summary or analysis. Needs a lot of revision in terms of clarity and/or style. May be too short.

Although you are only required to revise one analysis, if you revise others, I will reevaluate them. Immediately following the cover letter, place your mandatory revised journal, and the original analysis with my comments on it behind it. The rest of the Portfolio should follow this format (revised analysis, original analysis). If you are not revising the analysis, the only copy submitted should be the original one; it's a waste of paper to print an unchanged analysis twice. You should of course include any analyses that you’re handing in late. Here’s a final list of everything you should include: 1) Critical introduction/cover letter; 2) Mandatory revised analysis; 3) Any other revised analyses; 4) Original analyses with my comments attached; 5) Any late submissions. Please simply staple everything together, or use a binder clip. No cover pages, please. Please also upload a copy of all analyses to Safe Assign (as one continuous document).