EN 1102 Drama Analysis Essay Packet

Your assignment, if you choose to accept it (and you’d better, it’s worth 15% of your grade!) is to write a fully fleshed out Drama Analysis Essay (4F) that defends a thesis you developed through a close critical reading/analysis of a work of drama listed on the syllabus. Your analysis relies on textual support from the primary text, but additional outside academic sources are welcome for support. Do not confuse “critical analysis” with “plot summary;” the goal is to develop, sustain, and advance a thesis based on a critique of the primary text that clearly expresses thoughts on a significant literary theme of your choosing (it may be one spoken on in class). Remember that a theme is more than an abstract term (like those below), it’s an observation on life or the human condition. What does your chosen work say about one of the below terms?

Examples of Common Dramatic Thematic Elements:

Grief Religion Revenge (or Revenge versus Justice) Family Sex The Oedipus Complex Honor versus Duty Madness (i.e. argue a character was or wasn’t insane) Jungian Mask Self (the idea of discovery of self, or trueness to self) Mortality/Frailty of Life Lies and Deceit War (both within and without) Arts and Culture

Excellent papers will include properly cited quotes or paraphrases from at least one credible source from outside your textbook to support your thesis.

Your essay should contain a thesis statement that gives me an idea of how you will back this point up and how your support will be organized throughout. It should also fulfill the other requirements of your rubric.

1000 words (three-four pages double spaced 12 point font). Please include your name, a title, the date, and your class hour at the top, as well as page numbers throughout.

Your fourth assignment in the creation of your Drama Analysis Essay (4F) is to take your thesis statement (4B) and expand it into a full draft of your paper (4D). For this exercise you should use this handout as your guide and create a printed two-to-three page assignment that follows the five paragraph structure of your outline, but is fleshed out into complete sentences, and includes a clear introduction, support paragraphs, concrete examples, and a complete conclusion. Per our discussion in class, the three support points from your thesis should be the basis for your three support paragraphs. Please include your name, date, etc., as you would on any other assignment and bring 3 hard copies to workshop (see Course Schedule Announcement for dates).

Remember, this paper should include significant textual evidence (properly documented quotes or paraphrases from your chosen reading) to support your thesis, as well as sufficient analysis and concrete examples. In addition, since we are part of a larger conversation about literary analysis, the use of (properly documented) outside literary criticism is welcomed and encouraged.

TIPS： Read: Backpack: Soap Opera by David Ives / The Cuban Swimmer by Milcha Sanchez-Scott

Choose one of the two plays, an outline first, and then begin! Had better write 24 hours!