Review essays are based on the readings discussed in class, and they are equivalent to “in-class” essays in an on-campus setting. They must be completed within the indicated start-and-end time period.

As stated in the Course Outline/Syllabus:
Review essays are based on the readings discussed in class, and they are equivalent to “in-class” essays in an on-campus setting. They must be completed within the indicated start-and-end time period.

If you miss one of the two required review essays, no individual arrangements will be made, but you will have a chance to make up for it if you write an optional Review Essay 3 the last week of the semester.
Students who complete Review Essay 1 and 2 but wish to improve their grade are welcome to take the optional Review Essay 3. In their case, the lowest of the three grades will be disregarded in the final tally.
REVIEW ESSAY 1 must be submitted to this module no later than 6:00 PM on Monday, October 17. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please cut-and-paste your essay directly into the message window AND attach it as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file. Include the standard MLA header in the top left-hand corner on the first page of the essay:
Your name
Instructor’s title and name
Course title
Date submitted
Expected length: 3 pages, double-spaced throughout, Arial font size 12
TOPICS FOR REVIEW ESSAY 1

Write an essay on ONE of the following topics. Develop it based on ONE of the short stories reviewed in this course. You are welcome to refer to your own experience and/or knowledge of the world as well, but this real-life component is optional and it should not constitute more than one paragraph in your essay:
How does Kate Chopin convey the importance of personal freedom in “The Story of an Hour”? Analyze the connection between Mrs. Mallard’s physical condition and the different stages of awareness she is experiencing. Do you agree that her desire to have “no one to live for” and instead to “live for herself” should be the goal of human existence?
Willa Cather’s “Paul’s Case” portrays an individual who feels trapped in an oppressive environment. How is Paul’s sense of entrapment revealed? How does he deal with it? Evaluate the choices he makes. Could a situation like the one described in the story happen today?
Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use” deals with the issue of one’s cultural heritage. How does Walker develop this theme? What different concepts of heritage do the story’s characters embrace? Does any of these concepts correspond to the role that cultural heritage plays in your own life?
4. What does Raymond Carver’s story “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” say about love? Do your own experience and knowledge of the world confirm or contradict the story’s observations regarding this important concept?
Your essay will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
general quality of argument, thoughtful content
effective use of textual references and specific examples
logical progression of ideas, effective organization of material, focus, essay structure
general clarity of diction, grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and other mechanics
proper MLA documentation of direct quotations

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