- Select a single element of fiction and compare/contrast/analyze its use in two of the stories in the textbook.
Elements of fiction:plot, point of view, narration, character, setting, theme, symbol, figurative language
- Stories: “puppy” by George Sanders, “The veldt” by Ray Bradburry, “Jesus Shaves” by David Sedaris, “The lesson” by Toni Bambara, “King of the bingo game” by Ralph Ellison
- You should consider: What is similar/different in how the author’s use this element? What are the purposes behind these similarities/differences? What effects do these similarities/difference have and why?
Regardless of the prompt you choose, you should have an overarching claim or argument about the text(s), using textual evidence from the text(s) itself (themselves) as well as the work from at least three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources (this means they should come from academic journals). Be sure your claim is yours – from your own interpretation and understanding of the text(s) – and not from a source.
In your introduction, in addition to introducing the text(s) you are analyzing, include 1-2 sentences that describe why you chose this/these text(s). Furthermore, in your conclusion, include a paragraph that describes what you are taking away from your analysis.