Explore the theme of race and justice in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’

English 102

Essay #2: Literary Analysis/Critique of a Scholarly Source

This essay will focus on the element of persuasion via the lens of analyzing and critiquing a text. Length is a minimum of 4 full pages or 5 pages typed double-spaced (see syllabus).  You must use MLA format and parenthetical in-text citation (quotes, paraphrases and summary to support your assertions about the text). Additionally, this paper will focus on conducting research to obtain the scholarly source on an arguable topic, as well as employing C.R.A., wherein you will have to summarize, analyze, and evaluate the scholarly source.

You will find a scholarly source (ideally a journal article of at least 5 pages) that is related to an argumentative topic that is worthy of research (remember this can be a source also for your larger research paper). The literary work must be approved.

Page 1-2: A brief summary to establish the context for your analysis, which should address the background of the work (biographical sketch of the author, historical or current relevance to society, and the purpose of the work or why it was written).

Page 2-3: Your thesis/argument will address your assertions on the theme of the work (i.e. its purpose), and to that end, discuss how structure (patterns of development/organization), point of view (author’s perspective), tone (author’s voice/attitude), and word choice/language affects the meaning of the text. A discussion of the text’s supporting details and examples is appropriate.

Page 4-5: Analysis and Evaluation/Critique will be your discussion of whether the argument is effective why or why not, whether the conflict, the main issue/claim/position, or the central idea is realistic or unrealistic and whether it is resolved. Why or why not? Explain what you think would be a better way to make the argument, as well as if there’s an alternative solution referring back to theme, words, structure or any other examples of persuasive strategies and argumentative techniques in the text to support your answers.

Page 5 or 6: Work(s) Cited Page will be where you list the source(s) you used to support your assertions (these are all summaries, paraphrases and quotes/in- text citations from the text and/ or any additional sources included in your paper). If you meet the minimum requirement of 4 full pages, then page 5 would be your Work(s) Cited Page. All papers will have a minimum of one source listed on this page because it will be the assigned text you just used for your analysis. If you had to look for background information outside of your assigned text, then you must list those additional sources on the Works Cited Page.

Remember, regard the material in the work you have read as evidence to support your argument. Demonstrate that the details you reference are relevant to the main point of your argument. Use MLA format for citations. Make your statements and conclusion, clear and convincing. Use handouts and texts (ARG, WRP, TSIS, and Course Resources or Purdue OWL) for additional help.