Symbolism

Symbols in literature stand for something that represents something else. A symbol is typically a concrete thing such as an object, a person or people, places, and actions. What these symbols stand for is usually much deeper or something intangible – think about qualities, attitudes, beliefs, or values.
Helpful resources can be found on our Canvas and in free textbook.
Select One Short Story to Analyze:
“The Darling” by Anton Chekhov
“Rufus” by Bob-Waksberg
“The Warrior’s Daughter” by Zitkala-Sa
“The Great Silence” by Ted Chiang
Prompt:
In a 1000 to 1,250 word essay, students should select one short story from the list above and analyze the symbolism represented in that piece of literature. Students will want to locate two to three symbols, analyze their significance, and evaluate how the symbols add meaning to the entire story.
Remember, be careful not to interpret a symbol as the symbol itself. This can be tricky. It’s wise to visit with a professor in the Writing Center or run your symbols by me during your brainstorming part of the writing process.
Guidance:
Your audience is our class and professor, but you still need to spend some time summarizing key ideas (such as introducing the short story in the introduction), defining any terms (such as symbolism), and choosing quotes/paraphrases from one of the texts above to help your reader get a sense of what the author is talking about.
Please review the NoodleTools resources in Modules for help citing.
Talk about complexities; avoid oversimplifying your ideas or the ideas from the reading.
Use a clear organizational structure. Break up the paper into manageable chunks of information and keep your paragraphs unified around one main idea. Don’t feel like you have to conform to a 5 paragraph essay structure.
The essay should be written in 3rd person point-of-view.
Take the time to proofread after you’ve written your essay. Think about the kinds of mistakes you know you tend to make and watch out for those.
Give yourself enough time to visit the Writing Center. If you know you have trouble with some aspect of your writing, give yourself time to visit the Writing Center multiple times before submitting your final draft.
Need a writing refresher from English 100/1? This textbook is free, well-organized, and can helpLinks to an external site..
Helpful Resources
Essay OutlineLinks to an external site.
Sample Student EssayLinks to an external site.
How Will I Be Graded:
Did I respond to the prompt, making sure to identify and fully analyze 2-3 symbols?
Is my essay organized, focused, and builds on one point to the next?
Did I integrate (quotes/paraphrases) from one of the readings into my paper to add complexity and connections to my ideas? (No outside sources included).
Did I write my paper in perfect MLA format?
Did I properly cite my source in the paper and on the Works Cited page?
Is my writing proofread carefully for grammatical errors and/or typos?
Is my essay least 950 words? No more than 1,250 words? Note: Papers that are not at least 900 words will not be considered complete. Do not write more than 1,250 words.

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