Topic: Feminism approach for the short story ‘Boys And Girls’ By Alice Munro’
For this essay you will:
1. Develop a thesis that connects an aspect of your chosen literature to at least one critical
approach.
2. Support your thesis by supplying pertinent evidence from the literature AND evidence
from at least 3 valid secondary sources.
Length:
This paper should be at least 900-1,200 words.
Source Details:
You are required to use and document a minimum of four sources in this paper.
One of these sources should be the primary text(s) (short story or poem) you are
discussing.
The other three (or more) sources should be secondary sources in which scholars or
experts have written their interpretations and analyses of the texts or topics that are
relevant to your argument.
Sources must be valid for college level writing. Journal articles from the library
databases should be used.
Additional sources can be any type (website, documentary, personal interview, etc.) as
long as they are relevant and credible. Do NOT use Wikipedia, Ask.com, About.com,
Sparknotes.com, etc.
Format:
Your paper and the Works Cited page MUST be submitted in correct MLA format.
If your writing contains ANY plagiarism (if any source information is not credited to the source it came
from), you will be given a ZERO on the paper.
Final Tips:
• Don’t use summary any more than you need to in order to make a point; assume your
readers have already read the text; summary should only be used as support and for
clarity.
• Don’t use 1st person “I” or “we” or 2nd person “you” or “your” in your writing.
• Do make sure your work stays focused on discussing and proving the main argument
made in the paper’s thesis.
• Do make sure your work is in MLA format and your sources follow MLA guidelines.
• Do proofread and edit carefully
Some Topic Examples:
Biographical and Historical approach to “Where Are You Going, Where Have You
Been?”: Examine Joyce Carol Oates’ inspiration for the story. (She wrote the story after
reading about a serial killer.)
Postcolonial approach to “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Danticat: Poverty and
limited opportunities in Haiti prevent Guy from realizing his dreams. (Biographical and
Historical approaches could also work with this story.)
Feminist approach to Trifles by Susan Glaspell and “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by
Adrienne Rich: The main characters in both represent negative consequences of
oppressive marriages.
Psychoanalytic approach to “The Yellow Wall-Paper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
Symbols reflect the character’s declining mental health. Gilman’s own experience with
depression inspired this story.
Some Topic Examples:
Biographical and Historical approach to “Where Are You Going, Where Have You
Been?”: Examine Joyce Carol Oates’ inspiration for the story. (She wrote the story after
reading about a serial killer.)
Postcolonial approach to “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Danticat: Poverty and
limited opportunities in Haiti prevent Guy from realizing his dreams. (Biographical and
Historical approaches could also work with this story.)
Feminist approach to Trifles by Susan Glaspell and “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by
Adrienne Rich: The main characters in both represent negative consequences of
oppressive marriages.
Psychoanalytic approach to “The Yellow Wall-Paper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
Symbols reflect the character’s declining mental health. Gilman’s own experience with
depression inspired this story.