Karen russell st lucy's home pdf

English 1B: Short Story Exam

ASSIGNMENT: Write a 320-500 word essay interpreting a short story of your choice from the list below. The word count is approximate – just say what you have to say. Use complete sentences, include specific quotes from the text, and explain how these support your thesis argument. Submit in MLA Style to Turn-it-in.

· Your job is to examine in detail how a literary element linked to the subgenre of the story -- the setting, a character, a particular symbol or a critical plot point -- helps us in understanding an important theme or take-away message.

· In the opening paragraph of your literary analysis, compose a brief synopsis of the story and identify its primary subgenre, explaining exactly what makes it so.

· Then, select a literary element – the setting, a symbol, or the narrative POV, for example – and analyze how it to helps you to explore the story in more depth and come up with a meaningful interpretation.

Choose ONE of these stories:

https://1.cdn.edl.io/PNYONEfw15WBM6xTjqiCnP8sH3lKkHsH4bIy5kvG7GZfeByR.pdf

“St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves” by Karen Russell

OR

http://www.duelingmodems.com/~turzillo/Zora_Land_Ethic.pdf

“Zora and the Land Ethic Nomads” by Mary Turzillo

PROCESS:

Begin by reviewing the Genre Studies Ppt. lecture on the Essential Materials Module. As you probably know, both of these stories would be categorized as Epic/Action-Adventure works of fiction. But importantly, they belong to different subgenres – horror, science fiction, or fantasy. The question to ponder is how knowing the subgenre of the story helps you to interpret it. What difference does recognizing its genre make?

Find free pdfs of both stories on the Midterm Module. This is an “open book” exam, which means you may keep the story open in front of you as you analyze it, if you like. Also use the Checklists for Writing on the Course Essentials Module. When you quote from the story, use an MLA-style citation (author’s last name and the page number). You do not have to construct a Works Cited page.

Find a quiet place to work and read the short story through at least twice, taking notes. Then, formulate a thesis that names the subgenre and links it to a specific, element, (for example, a setting, a symbol, the narrative POV, or a particular plot point). Your analysis of the story must explain how the genre-linked literary element exposes a theme or purpose typical of the story’s genre. Remember to include the “so what” factor even in your thesis– briefly say why this matters to us as readers? Use at least 2-3 specific quotes from the story as evidence to support your interpretive argument (your thesis claim).

SUBMISSION & TIME REQUIREMENTS If you find yourself spending more than 2-3 hours on this essay after you’ve read the story, you’re working too hard! Just show me you know how to compose a thesis-driven literary analysis.

TIPS:

· Re-telling the story and making comments as you move through it usually receives a C in this advanced expository writing class.

· Analyze a particular setting, theme, symbol or plot point for your focus. How does knowing the story is mainly horror, fantasy or science fiction help you to focus in on a particular element? For example, setting is particularly important in science fiction. Narrative POV is often significant in horror stories, and the magical happening that startle in fantasy can inspire insights. CHOOSE ONLY ONE ELEMENT. How does this literary element help to shape the (sub) genre your story belongs to?

· If you focus on the setting, describe a particular location in detail. Then explain in what ways the WHERE of the story is important to a theme or take-away point. Remember that setting is a primary element in SCIENCE FICTION. What themes or messages does the setting bring to the forefront? Why is it so important to the meaning of the story? (See the BIG PICTURE point below.)

· If you focus on a character, it’s always best to select the protagonist or the antagonist. What motivates the character and/or what important character traits help emphasize a theme, a tone, or a message? What do readers learn by the example set by this character? What’s the take-away point?

· If you focus on a symbol, describe it in a particular moment in the story, and then explain where and how its physical presence resonates, underscoring a theme or main idea. What are some of its possible associations? Why does the object come to mean more than the thing itself? What important message might it illuminate?

· If you focus on a plot point, begin by explaining why this particular moment strikes you as significant. (All of the plot points are significant, but just choose one or two—see Plot Point Prezi lecture on Essential Materials Module.) Clearly name and define the plot point and describe exactly what happens at the pivotal moment of your focus. The rest of the essay must illustrate why the moment matters – what issue or theme does it underscore or emphasize?