EN203: Theme Responses


 

This term, 25% of your grade will be made up of two longer analytical essays about the assigned reading. In these essays, I ask you to use the primary source itself and the introductory material from your textbook to situate the reading in its historical context. You should address the following question, using evidence from the primary source and the introductory material: What significant theme or idea does this reading address, and how does it do so? What is significant about this theme/idea, given the historical context? For instance, use the introductory material to get a handle on a specific theme, and then illustrate that theme by using the primary source itself. Then, using the introductory materials again and/or your powers of logical deduction, describe why this text or theme is significant.

 

These essays are meant to do the following: 1.) help you understand the readings and their literary/cultural contexts, 2.) help you prepare for the exams, and 3.) help you refine your skills of writing and analysis. Your essays should be objective and informational, and they should reflect your awareness of the material.

 

Material requirements: