Essay 1Description: 4-6-page essaySources: (1) Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice –and–

(2) –either– ONE adaptation of the novel that we have discussed in class –or–ONE of the other texts we have read this semester

Total Points: 150Due Date: Monday, July 15

The AssignmentWrite a sustained, well-supported, thesis-driven 4-6-page comparative analysis of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice and ONE of the adaptations of the novel (or ONE of our other assigned texts) that we have discussed this semester.

Prompt:

As we discussed, this novel helped to solidify and legitimate the formal strategies that we associate with fictional narratives as expressed in its specific medium, and it does so while also representing a complex set of issues, such as the interaction between gender and social status, the role of class in romantic love, and the constraints of the romantic comedy genre. The goal of this essay, then, is to compare how a similar narrative or a similar set of concerns is represented in other texts. Examining specific moments from both Pride and Prejudice and ONE of the other texts we have discussed this semester, discuss how the two works develop similar issues, ideas, problems, or themes in different ways. Pay special attention to how the formal strategies of each medium might construct different implicit and symptomatic meanings even when developing the same basic narrative or same overall themes. For instance, we discussed in class how the demands of the modern rom-com film collapsed several of Jane Austen’s models of femininity into the character of Bridget Jones.

Tips for Successo Be sure to spend a significant amount of time re-reading the texts and taking notes!o Spend a significant amount of time brainstorming your argument!!! Follow our model in class discussion:

formulate an initial interpretation, identify evidence, unpack that evidence to see how it changes your initial argument, and revise your thesis statement accordingly. Then, do it again!

o Develop an introduction that sets up your argument while avoiding clichés and generalizations (e.g., “Writers have been concerned with gender since the beginning of time”). Just give the reader what they need in order to understand your thesis statement. This means that you will have to offer a very short (1-2 sentences) summary of your texts.

o If you’re stuck on your thesis statement, a solid, workable model to start with is this basic formula: “Seems to be X, but really Y, and this is important because of Z.”

o Every paragraph needs a topic sentence, and this sentence needs to advance a particular claim. In other words, every topic sentence is itself a more specific and focused argument about how you’re interpreting these texts.

English L204Introduction to FictionE1

o Support each claim in your topic sentences with carefully chosen evidence from the short texts: the more specific your evidence, the better. Avoid simply summarizing the plot!

o In other words, use quotations, but use them wisely. Cut down quotations appropriately and unpack them fully: every description of evidence and every quotation deserves twice as much space devoted to how it supports the claim. Cite your quotations appropriately.

o The concluding paragraph(s) should really delve into the larger social and cultural significance of this interpretation while still staying on the topic of the texts themselves. Moreover, the “so what” should be derived only from these texts: what about these specific texts is so important?

o Every paragraph should move in a logical order and should coherently fit into the overall argument. Avoid the arbitrary list (e.g., a paragraph on the novel and then a paragraph on the YouTube series)! Rather, develop a particular idea or claim in each paragraph that focuses on the texts.

o On a related point, strive for depth. Rather than switching to a totally new topic after one paragraph, think to yourself if that claim leaves any open questions for you: is there any evidence that doesn’t fit that claim and therefore takes the argument in a slightly new direction?

o REVISE REVISE REVISE!!! And remember, revision is RE-WRITING! It is expected that you will go through a number of drafts.

Criteria for Evaluation

Focus: the focus of your essay should follow the prompt carefully, and it should examine the specific texts as closely as possible!!!

Unity: the essay will be unified by your thesis statement about how this specific issue, idea, problem, or theme is represented in these texts and why the difference in these representations might be culturally significant

Coherence: each paragraph has a topic sentence and moves logically from one to the next with careful transitions

Support: this should appeal to specific evidence from the text to support your claims

Critical Thinking: critically engage with the texts’ implicit and symptomatic meaning; in other words, it should reflect how you are critically interpreting these issues and why they matters socially and culturally

Readability: trim any fat from your prose (make every word count!), revise for clarity, and check for proper spelling and grammar