What is the relationship between the title and the narrative?

Mod 6: Short Story Analysis Paper-Li, Yiyun, The Reason Why

Overview: For this assignment, you will be writing an analysis of a short story, including your interpretation of the story’s meaning, as well as relating the story’s meaning to your overall exploration of the humanities. Thinking about the deeper meaning of the story is required. You’re NOT writing about whether or not you personally liked the story, nor are you simply offering a summary of the plot. You may be creative with your interpretation, but you must demonstrate that you are engaging with the course materials and the primary source (the short story) by including specific examples from the story (direct quotations) to support your assertions and by following proper MLA citation procedures.
Please review the difference between plot summary and analysis here: Literary Analysis vs. Plot Summary vs. Plot Interpretation
Review how to annotate a short story here.
Review these student examples before completing your own work: student example #1 and student example #2
Assessment: Review the rubric attached to this dropbox below.
Required Minimum Word Count: This assignment requires a minimum of 750 words, excluding any quoted material. An accurate word count must be included in the heading. Please note, to successfully complete this assignment, you will need extensive direct evidence from the short story you’re writing on; this means you’ll need quotations, so you’re total word count (including your words and your evidence) should exceed 750 words.
Materials: Be sure you’ve read Chapter 4 in your textbook and completed the module #4 explorations before writing your essay.
Essay Instructions and Requirements
Write a paper of at least 750 words (excluding quotations, headings, and works cited) in which you make an interpretative claim about the story. Identify a theme and craft a thesis statement that says something interesting about the short story you chose and the theme you’ve identified. Follow the generalized outline found here: Overview of Summary versus Analysis
Remember, your thesis needs to say something specific, so for example, if you identify the theme of the story as “love,” you’d need to assert what the story is saying about love. Simply stating “this story is about the importance of love” is NOT a thesis. Think about what observation or commentary the author is making about human experiences.
To begin formulating your ideas and developing them into a thesis statement, consider the following questions:
What is the relationship between the title and the narrative?
What do you think the author is trying to achieve with their story?
What is the story’s message or main idea?
Who is telling the story? Is it a character in the narrative or an omniscient narrator?
Are there any words you’re unfamiliar with? Look them up
eWhat is the tone of the story: happy, cynical, excited, pensive, etc.?
What did you learn about yourself or the world by reading this short story?
Is the author highlighting human foibles or follies?
What observation(s) is the author making about the human experience? For example, is the story about the idea of home, grief, freedom, love, independence, history, identity, etc.?
Formatting and structure: Your paper should follow the general outline found here and include the following:
An introduction that ends with your thesis statement making an interpretative claim about the short story. Please note, a statement must end in a period. Do not ask a rhetorical question. You can review thesis statements here.
An organized discussion that is developed clearly and thoroughly throughout the essay using well-crafted body paragraphs (as many as you need). You can review paragraph construction here and here.
Specific examples, which are cited properly, from the production of the play, the text of the play, and the relevant textbook materials to support your assertions.
A conclusion that summarizes the ideas presented in your essay.
Format and Style Requirements:use the writing requirements, analysis paper guidelines, and style guide
Note about outside sources: outside sources are NOT required for this essay. If you find that your interpretation will be greatly enhanced by the integration of 1 or 2 outside relevant sources, you MUST contact me and let me know a. which sources you wish to use, and b. explain specifically how they are necessary to make your case. Students must contact me for approval at least three days prior to the due date. Papers that make use of secondary sources without advanced approval will be severely penalized.
Proofread your work carefully. Proofreading resources:
Sentence patterns
Proofreading
Reading aloud video
Reading aloud (handout)
Revision
Higher/lower order revision concerns
Submit your completed document to this dropbox as a docx or rtf file.
___________General Assignment Reminders____________
Any outside sources used should be scholarly in nature and included at the bottom your post along with a citation for the textbook in a properly formatted MLA style “Works Cited” section at the end of your post. Any material you integrate into your post word-for-word must be placed in quotation marks and have an in-text parenthetical citation and a works cited entry. Any material you paraphrase or summarize must be cited with an in-text parenthetical citation and a works cited entry.
Review your turnitin report before the forum and dropboxes close so that any citation errors can be corrected or added BEFORE your work is assessed for a grade.

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