Fiction Essay Instructions: Number Of Pages 3, Double Spaced

FICTION ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS Number of Pages 3 Double Spac

You must complete the required textbook readings in preparation for the Fiction Essay. This will equip you to respond objectively to the readings by compiling information from various sources to compose a persuasive literary analysis. Your essay should compare and contrast two stories from the Fiction Unit, focusing on a specific element of fiction such as conflict/plot/structure, characterization, setting, theme/author’s purposes, point of view, tone/style, irony, symbolism, or imagery.

Before writing, develop a 1-page thesis and outline, formatted according to MLA, APA, or Turabian style. Your essay must include a title page, thesis/outline page, the main essay, and a references page listing all sources consulted. Submit the thesis and outline by the deadline for instructor feedback. The final essay should be approximately 750 words (about 3 pages, double-spaced).

Choose two stories from the following list: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, “The Destructors” by Graham Greene, “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence, “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, or “The Prodigal Son” from the Gospel of Luke. Your analysis should include a close examination of at least one element of fiction listed above. Use the guidelines provided by Perrine’s Literature and Harbrace Essentials to inform your writing.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of writing a comparative fiction essay involves critical analysis rather than mere summary. A successful essay should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the selected stories and their literary elements, revealing insights into how these elements contribute to the stories' themes and overall impact. The choice of element—be it character, setting, theme, tone, or irony—will guide the focus of the comparison and contrast, providing a clear lens through which to examine the stories.

This essay should start with an engaging introduction that presents the thesis statement—an assertion that clearly states the focus of the comparison. The body paragraphs should develop arguments supporting the thesis, each centered on specific points of comparison, supported by textual evidence. For example, if contrasting character development, discuss how each author presents their protagonists’ internal conflicts, motivations, and growth or lack thereof, and how these aspects influence the reader’s perception and interpretation of the stories.

When examining setting, consider the geographic, historical, and social contexts of each story, and analyze how these elements reinforce the story’s mood, themes, or character behavior. Analyzing theme involves exploring the central messages or moral lessons conveyed through the stories, and evaluating how the authors communicate these themes through literary devices and stylistic choices.

In addition, stylistic features such as tone, irony, and symbolism can deepen the analysis. Tone refers to the emotional quality or attitude conveyed by the narrative voice, which can influence the reader’s perception of characters and events. Irony and symbolism often serve to add layers of meaning, prompting readers to consider underlying messages or societal critiques.

The conclusion should synthesize the comparison and reinforce how the elements of fiction reinforce the stories' themes and literary merit. Proper citation of sources in approved formatting style is essential to lend credibility and academic integrity to your work.

References

• Jackson, Shirley. “The Lottery.” In Best Short Stories of the Century, edited by John Updike, 142-154. New York: Penguin Classics, 2010.
• Greene, Graham. “The Destructors.” In Collected Stories, 89-105. London: Penguin Books, 2015.
• Lawrence, D.H. “The Rocking-Horse Winner.” In The Portable D.H. Lawrence, edited by Harold Bloom, 57-68. New York: Bloom’s Literary Criticism, 2010.
• Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “Young Goodman Brown.” In American Gothic Tales, edited by Joyce Carol Oates, 53-63. New York: Library of America, 2010.
• Luke, St. The Prodigal Son. In The New Testament, Luke 15:11-32.
• Perrine, Laurence. Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. 13th ed., Harcourt, 2014.
• Harbrace Essentials of Student Writing. 4th ed., Cengage Learning, 2017.
• Bloom, Harold. Modern Critical Views: Nathaniel Hawthorne. Chelsea House, 1987.
• Malinowski, Bronislaw. “Myth and Ritual.” The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 66, no. 262, 1953, pp. 101–112.
• Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” In The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women, edited by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar, 3rd ed., 567-580. New York: Norton, 2007.