The essay must be a minimum of 750 words.

Topic: Fitzgerald’s “Winter Dreams”: Explain how self-creation social status and the idea of success inform the major theme of “winter dreams.”

Procedure:

– Use a cover sheet for title, name, etc. Do not reprint title or name on any other page.

– Underline your thesis in the essay.

– Text of essay must be double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins.

– Number your pages.

– Use MLA documentation style.

Should include:

– a specific thesis statement that makes a sophisticated, original, and arguable claim about the text (thesis = the topic + your assertion)

– a tightly constructed, unified argument that coherently supports and clearly develops the thesis and addresses the meaning of the text (as opposed to the text’s value, importance, history, “greatness,” etc.)

– well-interpreted, fully supported evidence from the text for all claims with citations and relevant quotations from the text that tie your argument specifically to the text

Read more requirements that I’ve attached!

Essay Guidelines

1. MAKE A CLAIM.  Develop a central, clear interpretive point (often called a thesis) that you fully support and explain in your essay.  Your thesis needs to be an arguable point. 

a. Please realize that your thesis will probably develop and change somewhat as your write the paper; that is, as you really start to think about the text, your ideas will evolve. So, don’t worry if your thesis is not fully developed as you begin writing. Just make sure you go back and revise/reword the thesis so that it coheres with the rest of the essay.)

b. Remember: You must underline your thesis in this essay. For further information on developing a thesis see:

https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/process/thesis/

2. SUPPORT THAT CLAIM.  Support your central claim/thesis with thoughtful reasons and specific evidence (that is, quotations) from the text(s).  Are you finding it hard to support your claim?  Well then, consider the possibility that your claim may not be that good.  Go back and rethink the premise of your essay.

3. Your audience is our class, that is, people who have read and are familiar with the texts.  No plot summary is necessary; this is not a book report or biography, but a critical essay that presents your interpretation.  I will evaluate the worth or validity of your interpretation based on how well you support it. 

4. An essay is a form of expository writing wherein the object is to explain things to the reader. Literature is usually inexplicit and indirect, but your essays should be explicit, direct, and provide interpretive explanations.  Do not ask a bunch of rhetorical questions in your essay—give us the goods—your interpretation!

5. If you do not legitimately fulfill the page requirement, you will not receive a grade about a C.

6. Don’t give your paper a generic title, such as PAPER #1.  And for that matter, don’t write a generic English paper. You can be lively, humorous, and intelligent at the same time. Take advantage of the vigor and directness of everyday speech, but balance it with intelligent reflection and learning.  Write in a human voice that has something to say and says it gracefully, and supports it thoroughly. 

7. And please don’t write “We, as human beings,” “It’s human nature,” or “In this paper will demonstrate.” When possible avoid these words: aforementioned, a lot, quite, sort of / kind of, impactful. Avoid contractions.

8. Books are in italics (Their Eyes Where Watching God), stories and poems in quotation marks (“Roman Fever”). 

9. Here is how you need to reference author and work in a sentence:  In Ernest Hemingway’s “A Clear, Well-Lighted Place” the young waiter . . . “

8. You may use the word “I.”  But do not overuse it!  Do not use “I think,” “I believe,” “I feel”—Except when absolutely necessary.  We are well aware that your paper is a record of your thoughts, your beliefs, and your feelings.

10. The events in a novel, story, or poem should be referred to in the present tense: In “The Cat in the Rain” George has difficulty. . .

11. Direct your reader back to specific scenes, actions, or thoughts in the text by incorporating quotations into your essay that warrant further commentary or explanation from you.  Basic example: Trefethan reflects at the end of Jack London’s ‘The Night-Born’: “Well, here’s to the Night-Born. She was a wonder” (275). Remember: include quotations that call for insightful interpretive commentary from your perspective. If the passage you quote is worthy of being included in the essay, make sure your interpretive commentary explains its thematic significance as it relates to the thesis of your paper. For further examples see:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/

Signal and Introductory Phrases:

http://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/integrating_quotes

12. Need extra guidance with your writing? Contact the SCAD Writer’s Studio:

https://www.facebook.com/scadwritersstudio

13. Your conclusion should highlight the significance and broader implications of your essay’s topic.  As you are writing your essay, ask yourself about your topic:  “So what?  Who cares?  Why does this matter?”  Your essay better add up to something significant and insightful or we have all just wasted our time reading your essay.  Make it matter, for yourself (yes, you!) and the reader.  In your essay you have educated us about your topic and we know more than when we started; therefore, stay connected to your subject, but go someplace new and important in your conclusion.  Don’t give us a rerun of the introduction!  Extend yourself and make some meaningful connections.  For some more suggestions for your introduction and conclusion see:

http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/ending-essay-conclusions

14. Quick suggestions for revising: Remember to revise and reread your papers multiple times. Print out the drafts correct them with a pen/pencil—it helps to get away from the computer screen and work on it by hand. Read your paper out loud to a friend—someone who is picky and critical. Or, have a friend read it out loud to you. It helps to “hear” the words. For further reading out loud suggestions see:

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/revise.html

Tips on Grammar, Punctuation, and Style:

http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/tips-grammar-punctuation-and-style

Help with Transitions:

http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/transitioning-beware-velcro

15. Papers turned in past the due date time will be reduced one letter grade, and will be reduced an additional letter grade for each successive 24-hour period thereafter.

16. Of course, do not plagiarize. What is plagiarism? Basically, plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas and/or work without acknowledgment or proper citation. Please read:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Note that this paper does not require you to do outside research. I am interested in you developing and supporting your own original interpretation in this essay. If you do use outside sources, please document them properly.