Writing Homework Help

Compose a 750 to 1250 word essay using one of the following questions:

1. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that share a similar theme. Explain how in each of the stories you selected a particular character communicates to us his reaction to a particular situation. How is this character’s reaction related to the theme you selected?
2. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that share a similar theme. Explain how in each of the stories you selected the setting allows for the exploration of the theme you selected.
3. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that have different points of view (first-person vs. third-person, etc). Explain how in each of the stories you selected its point of view might influence the reader’s interpretation of the story.
4. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that contain dominant symbols. Provide an interpretation of those symbols and explain how they are related to another literary element of the story, such as character, setting, or theme.

Successfully completing this assignment will involve constructing an overall thesis for your essay that addresses one of the prompts above and then using quotations and references to specific scenes from the works you select as evidence to support your argument. Reference the Writer’s Workshops in Modules 1, 2, and 3 for helpful advice about constructing literary arguments as well as using MLA format for your essay, citations, and references.

Reading assignments in Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing (13th ed.):

• “Point of View,” pp. 26-29
• “Theme,” pp. 204-206
• James Baldwin, “Sonny’s Blues,” pp. 49-69
• William Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily,” pp. 30-35
• D.H. Lawrence, “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” pp. 595-605
• Luke, “The Prodigal Son,” pp. 224-225
• Juan Rulfo, “Tell Them Not To Kill Me,” 386-390

Reading assignments in Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing (13th ed.):

• “Character,” pp. 74-76
• “Setting,” pp. 117-119
• “Symbol,” pp. 234-236
• Flannery O’Connor, “Parker’s Back,” pp. 427-440
• Zora Neale Hurston, “Sweat,” pp. 558-566
• Amy Tan, “A Pair of Tickets,” pp. 148-161
• Tim O’Brien, “The Things They Carried,” pp. 614-625