Option I: Choose one of the topics given below and follow the instructions for completing the assignment. Note: if you choose a topic that involves the application of literary devices, do not use...

Option I:Choose one of the topics given below and follow the instructions for completing the assignment. Note: if you choose a topic that involves the application of literary devices, do not use valuable space in the essay to define those terms. The reader is assumed to be familiar with them.

1. Read some of the prose fromWhitman'sSpecimen Days.Compare/contrast some of the assigned poetry with his prose. Go beyond a simple content comparison--think about how the writings address the same topics, the tone, the literary devices, etc.


2. Compare the depiction of Indians in earlier works by Mary Rowlandson, William Bradford, John Smith, and others with how the Indians present themselves in the speeches and tales. How do you account for the different perspectives (beyond the obvious reasons)? This topic is deceptively simple. There are two parts --the settlers'/explorers' perceptions AND the natives' perceptions of themselves in THEIR OWN writings/speeches/oral traditions. Be sure not to focus on just one aspect and be sure you are not simply providing a biography.


3. Compare/contrast Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher" with Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter". Do not focus on content or plot. Think about literary techniques employed, characteristics of Romanticism they share, style, etc.


4. Examine the point of view (narrator's perspective- first-person narrator, third-person narrator, limited omniscient, objective, or others) in Rebecca Harding Davis’ work. This discussion is an analysis of the narration, NOT a retelling of the plot. Examine "why" and "how" the narration influences the reading of a particular reading. DO NOT RETELL THE PLOT.


5. Compare/contrast Frederick Douglass'slave narrative to Emerson's "Self-Reliance". In other words, what are Emerson's principles of self-reliance, and how does Douglass'narrative reflect those principles?

1. You MUST create an "Outline" page for your Critical Paper. Review the "Outline and MLA Format Sample" to see the required format.


2. The Critical Paper should be 4-6 pages long, double-spaced entirely using Times New Roman 12-point font or Courier New 11-point.


3. Cite at least two authoritative critical books, articles, commentaries, or essays (besides your textbook) which also interpret and comment on your assigned selection. In your "Works Cited" page, remember to include your textbook(s) as a source(s), besides the two (or more) outside sources you consult. NOTE: You are responsible for properly identifying an internet source with its correct internet address (URL). Further, if the source comes from a paid subscription site, ie., one that cannot be accessed, you are responsible for either:
   
   
   1. Providing the information to enter the source's site to view the original source, or
   
   
   2. Furnishing anexact copyof the original source through a printed copy of it or a screen capture.Failure to furnish such accurate source information when your instructor requests it is grounds for plagiarism.
   
   
   
   


4. The "Outline" and "Works Cited" pages are not counted as part of your critical paper.


5. MLA format should be used for the entire paper. You may also refer to relevant MLA sites or do a search for MLA format. Select the links below to learn how to format your paper properly, following the MLA guidelines:
   
   
   • 
     MLA General Format
     
   
   
   • 
     Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting - The Basics(video)
   
   
   • 
     MLA ESSAY Format (8th Edition)(video)
   
   
   
   


6. Remember, this is an English class. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation count! Use academic English: no contractions, slang, or second person.


7. The completed paper is to be submitted as a single document (outline, body of paper, and works cited page). Save your paper as a .rtf (rich text format) or .doc or .docx (MSWord format) before submitting. This ensures that no matter what word processing tool you use, your instructor will be able to open your paper. Properly name your file, for example, "LastnameCritPap2327". You may downloadMicrosoft Office 365for free.


8. Your paper will be checked for plagiarism using SafeAssign or similar third parties to review and evaluate for originality and intellectual integrity. Plagiarized papers, whether intentional or simply due to ignorance will receive a total grade ofzero. Read the following information onplagiarism. Read the CTC English Department'sScholastic Honesty Statement.

Make CTC Library's online databases your first stop for research. You can access these databases anywhere, anytime throughCTC's Library website.