REQUIREMENTS: If any of these requirements are not met, the paper cannot earn above a 65% (D).
7 – 8 pages
Evidence from both the novel and Beyond Feelings
Two outside articles from scholarly sources (Wikipedia, Spark Notes, and other non-college-level and non-academic resources do NOT count; use the scholarly journals and periodicals from RCC databases or Google Scholar)
Correct MLA formatting, quoting, citing, and Works Cited (I have continued to point out these errors and continue to explain how to correct them. I have also given you an informative and helpful PowerPoint. There are also dozens of websites to help you. Therefore, there is NO REASON I should see these types of errors on your final paper.)
IDEAS for PAPER TOPICS
Focus on a symbol in the novel and how it is used to explore a theme. You could focus on the pear tree and how it is used to explore love, sexuality, and marriage. Or you could choose the mule and analyze how it is used to explore the African-American woman’s place/role/limitations in society. Other options include Janie’s clothing and hair and the ‘Glades.
Discuss the changing and blurring of the narrative voice and what point is being made through the changes in narrative point of view. Keep in mind issues of identity, oppression, sexism, racism, and self-actualization. This topic is a tough one, but also interesting, so if you choose this, consider discussing it with me.
There are many episode in the novel (beginning with the scene in the store during which Joe slaps her) in which Janie discusses herself as two different selves: her inside self and her outside self. What does the split represent? What purpose does this split serve? Do her two selves ever merge back into one? How is this connected to her attempt to reach self-actualization? Look in Chapters 6, 7, and 9 of the novel to start. There is further evidence in other chapters that can be used, but start here.
Contrast two characters to make an argument about egocentrism, ethnocentrism, authority, oppression, freedom, or identity. But please remember: in a contrast essay it is NOT enough to say “Character A is egocentric and Character B isn’t.” That is NOT an argument. Remember that you need to ask yourself what you have learned through looking at those differences, what new insight you have gained, or what lesson you have learned.
Critical thinking concepts that might fit into your arguments:
Influences on our identity and perspectives, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the essence of individuality (Chapter 1)
The difference between feeling and thinking, the characteristics of critical and noncritical thinkers, basic activities of critical thinking (Chapter 2)
The kinds of thinking errors, the people more prone to commit those errors (Chapter 5)
The types of evidence and evaluating evidence, how bias affects our evaluation of evidence (Chapter 6)
Mine-is-better thinking, egocentrism, ethnocentrism (Chapter 8)
All of the logical fallacies (Chapters 9 -12)
Because I have now pointed out (and corrected for you) the following errors in your other essays, I will have little tolerance if I see them in this last essay. Review my PowerPoint on common errors and make sure to ask me if you have any questions. And one last piece of advice: have your paper ready to turn in a at least a few hours early so you will have that time to do one last, slow, careful, focused reading to find and correct these errors. Edit and proofread with attention.
Floating quotes
Incorrect punctuation (or punctuation when you don’t need it) with introductions to quotes or integration of quotes
Citation errors
MLA format errors
Titles (quotation marks or italics)
Verb tense errors
Point of view errors (use of 2nd person or shifting between points of view)
Run-ons
Fragments
(These 2 Links are the Beyond Feelings and Their eyes were Watching God)
https://uniteyouthdublin.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/88253919-their-eyes-were-watching-god-by-zora-neale-hurston.pdf
https://archive.org/details/VrRuggieroBeyondFeelings9thEdition/page/n131/mode/2up
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