Paper details
Memorable Literature, Irritating Literature, and Visual Art
Pick one of the following:
One of the literary works we read this semester resonated deeply with you. There is something about its
heroes and divinities, its narrative structure and storyline, and its use of language that is important to you in
some way. Describe what you most appreciate about this work and explain in detail the features that make
it unforgettable for you.
While one of the literary works in the syllabus was instantly or ultimately memorable to you, one of the
works we read is incredibly annoying. You may be prepared to admit that it is “well-written/composed” or “a
classic,” but its characters, plot, and use of language are grating and tedious, if not morally or politically
flawed. Explain in detail the features of the work that you find unappealing and problematic, and contrast
these with comparable features in your favorite work.
Sometimes a literary work can best be understood by comparing it to works of art. Choose one or two art
works from a comparable period and culture and describe their aesthetic quality and approach to the
human form, emotion, decoration, and/or use of 2 or 3 dimensions. Then compare these to selected
features from a work of literature from a comparable period and culture.
You can’t discuss everything about a particular literary work in a short essay. But what you can do is pick a
few passages that exemplify the parts of the text that fascinate you or that you simply cant’s standIntroduce the passage you wish to discuss (this might be your topic sentence in a paragraph), cite the
passage in a block quote (see below), then do a “close-reading” of it. What in particular stands out in the
passage? Can you remind the reader of similar moments or ideas in the work as a whole? How do the
features in the passage combine to create an overall impression for a reader like you? Come back to your
thesis statement (your overall argument—see below): how does the passage demonstrate the main point
that you are attempting to make in your essay?
If you are describing a work of art, place a small image of the work in your text. Identify it clearly (using the
caption from the slide). Then describe the features of the work, perhaps focusing on only one feature
(stance, anatomy, expression, decoration) per paragraph.
Come up with a thesis statement! A thesis statement is an overall argument. It is typically the answer to a
question such as, why do I love X and hate Y? (Hint: if you can’t figure out what question you are
answering, you probably don’t yet have a thesis statement.) The more interesting and innovative your
thesis statement the better. Your thesis statement belongs in your introduction (classically in the last
sentence of your introduction), and should be restated in your conclusion, perhaps with some slight
modifications. ***Be sure do the thesis statement***
Cite passages from each text you are using. Better papers include interesting quotations. Format: quotation
marks precede citations, which appear in parentheses. However, the period follows the citation and
parenthesis, since these are a part of the sentence.
6. Use single-spaced block citations, indented all the way down on the left side, without quotation marks,
for any text 4 lines or longer. Citations for block quotes appear at the end on a separate line or in
parentheses on the same line.
Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns
driven time and again off course, once he had plundered
the hallowed heights of Troy.
Many cities of men he saw and learned their minds,
many pains he suffered, heartsick on the open sea,
fighting to save his life and bring his comrades home.
Odyssey 1.1-6, trans. Robert Fagles
7. Do not “strand” your citation at the end of a paragraph! You need to explain it before moving on. Why or
how is it relevant to your argument? How does it demonstrate the point you were just making? Do a closereading of each passage you cite in your text, and convey any significant results to your reader. Also, a
quotation should not begin a paragraph—you need to introduce each quote before you force your reader to
assess it.
8. Your paper needs an interesting title. Your title should be an encapsulation of your thesis statement. If
the only title you can come up with is “Eurpides’ Alcestis and the Parthenon,” you probably need to find a
more creative and challenging thesis statement.
9. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence. A topic sentence is the first sentence in the paragraph. It
should provide an overview of the major ideas found in the paragraph. Avoid sentences like, “The first topic
I would like to discuss is Euripides.” Also, do not begin your paragraph with a quoted passage.
10. Connect the topic sentence of your paragraph to preceding paragraphs in a way that advances your
argument and provides flow to your paper. Appropriate transition words help!
11. Avoid incomplete sentences. Every sentence needs a main verb. A subordinate clause cannot stand on
its own; subordinate clauses begin with “although,” “before,” “since,” “because,” etc. Incomplete sentences
will drastically lower your grade.
12. Avoid comma splices and run-on sentences. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses
are joined by a comma with no conjunction. For example: It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town
before dark.
13. Run your paper through Grammarly. You can download Grammarly here for free
(https://app.grammarly.com/); then you have to create an account. Please take a screenshot of your essay
as it appears in the Grammarly window and upload the screenshot onto the link provided on the course