Your Name

Instructor’s name

Course Number

24 May 2017
Your Imaginative Title: Your Informative Subtitle

Description:

Your next essay is an argumentative essay of roughly 1250 words. Your essay must analyze a
piece of fiction studied in class. Your essay will have a sound and critically responsive
introduction fully equipped with a thought full lead in grabber, precise thesis that respects the
criteria as outlined and that offers a preview of the structure of the essay; three body paragraphs
that exhibit related topic sentences introducing both the topic of the paragraph and the link to the
thesis; a variety of integrated quotations to support your ideas; sentences that flow and transition
one to the next; conclusive not summative conclusion sentences; and a conclusion that reiterates
thesis, wraps up your concerns, and generalizes out in conformity with the reverse funnel method.

Remember: the fiction you analyze is but an example you will use to reveal a universal theme; this
universal idea forms your thesis argument and how you prove it is by analyzing the fiction.

Guidelines

Consult the General Policies outlined and distributed. Your assignment must be typed, double-
spaced, spell and grammar checked with parenthetical citations, must have a Work Cited and page
numbers in the upper right hand corner of all pages except for the first page of the essay. Use
legible font in 12 cpi and do not change the font or size for quotations. Use this assignment sheet
as a guide for the placement of information usually placed on the title page.

Topics:

1) The depictions Dexter’s desire for Judy and the descriptions of Judy convey a pertinent
theme introduced in the fiction on the subject of the corrupted versus the original American
dream. Explore the theme that F. Scott Fitzgerald develops on the subject of the corrupted
American dream in “Winter Dreams.”

2) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Winter Dreams” explores the idea of dreams in general. What does
Fitzgerald’s story say about dreams that we, like Dexter, might have; how does the story
make its position on dreams known? – through imagery of what, language such as, plot
namely, symbols of what….

3) Analyze the thematic relevance of archetypal allusions in Harry Potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone either Arthurian, Mythological or religious to figure out the meaning
of Harry’s quest, a quest much like our own. Think about these ideas to get you
brainstorming: J.K. Rowling uses the heroic quest as a metaphor for life; in Harry’s life
she presents a model for our own life; Harry’s virtues and his strategies for life are ones to
emulate. This boy at such a young age begins to lead a heroic life, a life that an adult could
 find tough; what does it mean to be a hero, and can any one person be heroic all on their
own, according to Rowling?

4) You saw it coming .... In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling uses
magic as a metaphor for the imagination/creativity; based on this conclusion devise a
thesis that explains the relevance of this metaphor that supports as theme.

5) In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling uses magic as a metaphor for
power; what is the source of the power? The ability to communicate? The ability to use
language effectively? For example, the words in the spells have the power to change and
effect; what is the link between knowledge and power according to the novel? How does
she develop this metaphor and what is the thematic significance of this metaphor?

6) A combination of topic four and five.

7) Not to sound like the WB’s Charmed, but the power of three figures prominently in J. K.
Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Therefore, she shows community’s
integral role in personal growth and in personal and communal success. Develop a theme
that explores the subject of community and its importance.

8) Ernest Hemmingway’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” explores the problems with and of the
wealthy, a subject area that can be thematically analyzed. Explore the author’s attitude
toward the wealthy as communicated through the theme of the story. Some questions to
get you brainstorming: How are the wealthy depicted in the story? And, why are they
depicted this way? What theme does Hemmingway ultimately communicate?

9) Why does Harry die or have to die in Ernest Hemmingway’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”?
In other words, what moral statement does Hemingway make about how we choose to live
or not live our lives through the representative outcome of the Harry character? How
should we or how should we not live our lives? Look at significant imagery,
characterization and other relevant ideas to support the theme of the story.

10) David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook’s film is a hybrid of genres (dramedy/chick
flick/buddy movie) that consists of social commentary exploring subjects such as the
traditional marriage (Pat Sr. and Delores, Pat Jr. and Nikki, Veronica and Ronnie all have
traditional marriages whereas when Pat and Tiffany get together they do not enter into a
traditional marriage), relationships, family, communication, expression/creativity, the
American dream, religion, self-betterment, and life. AND FOOTBALL! Pick a subject or
maybe combine two subjects and analyze the author’s use of techniques and devices and/or
ideas to communicate the work’s theme. (Saying the film is an accurate depiction of
mental illness is NOT a theme!)

For Harry Potter topics you can use references from all seven of the novels in the series provided
you have, indeed, read them all! (Just having seen the movies is not sufficient and googling for
information in other novels is not sufficient either). Essays that receive extensions will not receive
commentary just a grade.

Good luck with this essay!!! Have fun!