The Literary Essay

After careful analysis of the assigned short story The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson, you will write a literary essay based upon some of the ides discussed in class. You will be on a tight schedule! Please list the due dates for each part of this project in the space provided: Thesis and Brainstorming: Outline: Rough Draft: Final Copy: The Topic: If you have an idea in mind for a thesis, please give it a try. Remember, it should be provable, arguable, and worthwhile. You may also choose from one of the following questions. Your thesis will be the answer to the question. What is the purpose of the roses in the story? What do they symbolize? Is Mrs. Strangeworth helping the townspeople with her letter writing? Why are the letters so important to Mrs. Strangeworth? What do the letters represent in the story? What is the overall message found in The Possibility of Evil? The steps: Once you have determined your thesis statement, brainstorm a list of possible points. These points are ideas that prove your argument (thesis). Next, search the story for quotes that are suitable for the points you have decided upon. Remember, each point makes a paragraph of its own. For each paragraph, you need a point, a quote and/or proof and your own explanation. Proof is found in the text of the story!! Examples are good but direct references and quotes work best. Using the outline provided, create a point form skeleton of your essay. Create a full rough draft, hand written or typed. This draft must be ready for class on __________________________________________. You must have a rough draft that is edited by someone else before I will accept the final copy. Be certain that your good copy is typed, double-spaced, three pages in length (@750 words), and uses MLA formatting with a works cited page. Your mark: Rough work (brainstorming, thesis, outline, edited rough copy) Structure (proper essay format-intro, body, conclusion) Content (argument and supporting evidence) Mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, verb tense) Total: /50 /12 /10 /20 /8