SPRING 2024: FORMAL PAPER #2
In “Total Eclipse,” writer Annie Dillard describes the thrilling, beautiful, and terrifying experience of
witnessing the rare event known as a total eclipse. How do the autobiographical descriptions of her
experiences resonate with the ideas of the sublime as explored in the excerpts from Burke’s A
Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful? In other words, in
what ways does “Total Eclipse” evoke the sensations, images, concepts, nature, etc. of the sublime as
envisioned and conveyed in Burke’s text?
When writing your body paragraphs, you can either:
1. Briefly mention the chosen Burke idea (through direct quote or paraphrasing) and then delve
into an analysis of that term through Dillard’s text with at least two pieces of evidence from
Dillard, or—
2. Mention the Burke idea in the topic sentence in detail, and then dive into two Dillard quotes.
However, each body paragraph must:
1. Analyze Dillard
2. At least mention the relevant Burke idea via quotation or paraphrasing
Your paper should be 4-5 pages long, typed, double-spaced, and in a standard 12-point font.
Here are crucial points to keep in mind as you begin planning and writing your paper:
● Plan your essay before you begin writing. This will greatly facilitate the organization and
cohesive flow of your paper.
● Keep in mind that your essay should propose a thesis, be framed with topic sentences, and offer
analysis and textual support. Remember that it should be well-organized and grammatically
correct. Be sure to save enough time and energy to proofread your essay.
○ State a topic sentence for each body paragraph, and ensure that each paragraph flows
smoothly into the next. You must have at least two body paragraphs.
○ State your thesis and main supporting points in a clear and concise manner in your
introductory paragraph.
● Dig deeper into the referenced texts by using at least two direct quotations and examples per
body paragraph from the text. Ideally, cite Burke at least once in each body paragraph and
Dillard at least twice. However, if your Dillard quote is long and detailed—and the analysis
detailed and in-depth as well—one Dillard quote is fine.
● Delve into an analysis of the author’s words.
○ As always, be careful not to simply summarize what the author has to say or use the
question as a springboard for a personal response. Maintain close contact with the
specific prompt question and the specific text, and keep in mind the important
concepts and guidelines we’ve discussed thus far in class.
PLEASE DO DETAILED ANALYSIS AND DIRECT QUTOES 2 PER PODY PARAGRAPH!!!!!
I will provide an essay with the professors comments so you know what to include and what to not include