English 4223 paper 1


Write an analytical or argumentative essay on a topic from the list of options below, avoiding plot summary (see nugget 1) and meeting each of the following requirements. Read each of these requirements very carefully, more than once.

  • The paper must be 6-8 pages in length, 1800 words minimum, 2400 words maximum (in the body of the essay, excluding headers, name, date, title, works cited entries, etc.).

  • Your work must be formatted carefully and correctly, following MLA guidelines as outlined on my "simple stuff" web page. Papers not following these very simple conventions of formatting will be returned un-graded and will receive late penalties depending upon how many days it takes you to format them correctly.

  • A minimum of ten quotations from the play or plays you examine is required: ten is an absolute minimum—you may certainly offer more than ten to illustrate or substantiate your primary claims thoroughly and effectively.

  • All quotations and other source material must be documented according to MLA guidelines as outlined on my "quotes and documentation" page, including the MLA conventions for citing poetry (QD4) and drama in verse (QD4vd). A works cited page is mandatory even if you cite only one play.

  • You are not required to incorporate research into this paper as you will be with paper 2, but you may if you wish bring in quotations and other support from secondary sources of legitimate scholarly criticism or commentary so long as you do not get your “research” from the world wide web. In fact, you should most emphatically not consult any world wide web pages outside of our course materials while preparing your paper.

  • Note that you must submit the final draft in both hard copy (printed on paper) and electronic form (preferably as an email attachment, though floppy disks are okay if necessary).

  • Due Tuesday, February 27th, as a graded assignment, you are required to turn in a paper proposal in the form of a topic sentence outline beginning with the question your essay will strive to answer, followed by each body paragraph's complete topic sentence as it will appear in the essay itself, and ending with a thesis statement that a) answers the question you are addressing, and b) ties together the primary points in your topic sentences. The question you raise for this outline should be a literal question—an interrogative sentence ending in a question mark, not merely a statement of what your topic is. You may send your topic sentence outline in the body of an email message—that is, it’s not necessary to send the outline as an attachment. For full explanation of a topic sentence outline, including examples, see the paper proposal assignment page.

Topic Options:
Note that in all options below you are restricted only to plays we have read for this course. Comparisons or other significant concentration on plays we have not read is off-limits for this assignment.

  • Examination of the social norms or expected behaviors according to sex or gender as established in any three of the plays we've read thus far: The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, 1 Henry IV, and Henry V. Note that you must focus on norms or expectations for both male and female behavior. To reiterate, the focus here is on behavior expected of males, as males, and women, as women, as demonstrated in any three of these plays.

  • In-depth examination of psychological realism in any three or four characters from the plays we've read thus far: The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, 1 Henry IV, and Henry V. Explain what makes Shakespeare's portrayal of these characters convincingly realistic.

  • In-depth exploration of Shakespeare's commentary on the nature of romantic love in two or three of the comedies we've read: The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and As You Like It. That is, examine Shakespeare's depiction of such things as any of the following: what makes people fall in love, how love affects people's thinking or behavior, how being in love affects others' perceptions of us, how we go about "winning" those we love (avoid plot summary!), how love surmounts obstacles (be very careful to avoid plot summary!), and so forth. Be very careful to avoid plot summary with this option: see nugget 1 at chipspage.com.

  • Examination of Shakespeare's use of disguise or role-playing to deliver a specific statement about the human condition, or theme, in any three of the plays we've read: that is, explain how Shakespeare uses characters' disguising themselves or playing artificial "roles" before others to make some statement about humanity that transcends the specific plot situations in the plays, commenting on human behavior in the "real world," beyond the plays.

  • Exploration of Shakespeare's commentary on his own art and/or theatrical drama more generally in any two or more of the plays we've read thus far: The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, 1 Henry IV, and Henry V (Hamlet might work here, too, though you'll need to have read the play before writing your paper proposal as instructed above).

  • In-depth examination of legitimate and meaningful wisdom about life, society, or humanity conveyed through Touchstone and/or Falstaff
    .
  • In-depth examination of different notions of honor, or honorable behavior, in 1 Henry IV, as explained by or conveyed through Prince Hal, Hotspur, and Falstaff.

  • The use of contrasting paired characters, or foils, to deliver specific themes or statements about humanity in 1 Henry IV.

  • Shakespeare's commentary upon fathers and sons in 1 Henry IV.

  • The significance of comedy or comic characters (beyond mere comic relief) in both history plays.

  • Shakespeare's presentation of history in both history plays: compare/contrast with his sources or with what we know today of the history in these plays.

  • Shakespeare's commentary on or depiction of warfare in one or both history plays.

  • Shakespeare's commentary upon effective leadership in one or both history plays.

  • The conflict between "man" and "ruler" in one or both histories: the difficulty of being both man and king (and/or prince).

  • The king's powerful rhetoric (artful persuasion) in Henry V.

blue bulletI encourage you to seek my help with your paper outside of class. If my office hours don't mesh with your schedule, let me know, and we'll make arrangements for other times.


Tips:

  • Offer concrete evidence (i.e. quotations) to support every one of your major assertions.
  • Make every body ¶'s topic sentence answer the topic sentence outline question directly.
  • Avoid plot summary: see nugget 1; introduce all quotes: see nugget 3.
  • Sweat the details: see the "Golden Rules," "Nuggets," "Simple Stuff," and "Quotes & Documentation" pages and proofread carefully.