Reference no: EM132266014
Assignment
This essay will involve a supported analysis of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or a critical analysis of two works of short fiction. It will also involve conducting research and implementing APA citation. You are required to refer to at least five outside sources in addition to your primary text(s). Remember that this paper is not a personal response, so it should be written with objectivity in mind.
Formatting and Technical Requirements
- You are required to use five outside sources, but this does not mean that five should be your goal. Use as much research as you need to in order to support your claims. There should be a variety of research in each body paragraph.
- You are encouraged to use the supplementary critical articles within your assigned text, but some of your sources must be from elsewhere.
- Please use an Arial font of 12 and DOUBLE SPACING. A title page (with a creative title) and a references page (properly documented according to current APA standards) will also be required. Center your name, class, ID#, word count and date on the title page. APA formatting is required for the entirety of this essay, and your assignment should be handed in via Canvas. Do not include headings.
- Thesis/paragraph structure and comma usage are often problematic for students, so learn proper structure and punctuation! Avoid writing a problem statement. "In this paper it will be discussed..."
- Be sure to stay within the requested word count. You will be docked the percentage you are over/under.
Topics
Below are some general suggestions for topics. You are encouraged to independently develop your own topic.
Things Fall Apart:
1. Research Igbo culture and/or history and apply your research to the novel. Is the novel accurate? Which aspects of Igbo culture/history are not covered in the novel? Remember that you must argue a single point about the novel.
2. Find another culture that has been colonized in a similar fashion as the Igbo. Compare the reactions of those colonized with the reactions of those in Things Fall Apart. Remember that you must argue a single point about the novel.
3. Research the point of view of the colonists during time period in which the novel is set. Why was Achebe motivated by this point of view? Does the final scene of the novel represent an accurate depiction of the colonists? Do the missionaries represent accurate depictions? Remember that you must argue a single point about the novel.
Short Fiction (you may choose any from the text):
1. Compare/contrast the lives of authors and apply this to one story from each author. Your essay is about the stories, but it is supported via research. Remember that you must argue a single point about the stories.
2. Compare/contrast two stories that reflect the globalization associated with 20th century literature. You could examine authors, themes (colonization, culture etc.). Your essay is about the stories, but it is supported via research. Remember that you must argue a single point about the stories.
3. Compare/contrast two stories with relation to historical setting. How does the setting affect the story? Does it relate to the author's life? Your essay is about the stories, but it is supported via research. Remember that you must argue a single point about the stories.
4. Compare/contrast two stories with relation to any of the literary devices we have studied this term:
o Plot
o Setting
o Character
o Point of View
o Symbolism
o Tone
o Metaphor
o Theme