English homework help.
Chose one of the following stories
“A Good Man is Hard to Find,” Flannery O’Connor
“Everyday Use,” Alice Walker
“The Chrysanthemums,” John Steinbeck
The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allen Poe
The Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin
“Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway
The Things They Carried, Tim Obrien
The Lesson, Toni Cade Bambara
Brainstorm to identify a topic that you would like to explore. Feel free to use your own topic or choose one from the list below. Then, develop a preliminary thesis (main claim) that relates to one of the literary elements we have studied (symbolism, imagery, dialogue, plot, character, setting, theme, point of view, or style). For example, you can consider how racism is central to the grandmothers character in A Good Man is Hard to Find or explore the importance of setting to Ernest Hemingways Hills Like White Elephants. If you have trouble coming up with a topic, contact your instructor, who will help you brainstorm.
Possible Topics for Analytical Essays on Short Fiction | ||
Race | Family | Motherhood |
Travel | Protest | Nature |
Confession | Marriage | Manhood |
Gender roles | Love | Betrayal |
Belonging | Forgiveness | Art |
Beauty |
*Remember, these are only suggestions. You may choose your own topic if you prefer.
Next, develop an introduction that states an original thesis (main claim), the authors name, and the title of the story. Then discussion of evidence, threading your thesis throughout this section of the paper. Remember to use excerpts from the short story, examining them thoroughly and thoughtfully, but do not forget that only 25% of the essay can consist of quotes. Your essay should end with a concluding paragraph or two, which should be appropriate to the topic, the short story, and your thesis. |