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This major paper is your first writing experience in this course.
The topic and the scope of the paper are relatively simple and straightforward,
but the preparation of the readings is time-consuming. In order to write
a competent reaction paper, you will need to read Anpao, "The
Epic as Cosmopoesis,"along
with a major film or any other work which exhibits the characteristics of the
epic and the hero.(While this double comparison is a more in-depth study, you may choose to write ONLY on Louise Cowan and Anpao)
You will have to establish the criteria for your (1) understanding
of the epic and the nature of the hero and (2) understanding of the work
you have chosen to analyze in terms of the criteria you established in
(1). You might substitute the words "action" or "definition"
for "criteria" One of the best ways to think about this
relationship is to discuss the action of the hero as it relates to
the central, salient ideas found in "The Epic as Cosmopoesis." Next,
demonstrate how your book (and film, if you choose) reflects these relationships. In short, you are attempting to argue the point that Anpao is, indeed, an epic with an epic hero. (Forrest
Gump, Mission Impossible, Braveheart, Titanic, Saving Private Ryan,Shindler's List, Amistad, Beloved all move us closer to the
invisible potencies of truth, justice, and love. Can you think
of any other films which have this movement?
The structure of your paper would include a working definition, and then
comparison. You might wish to devote one-half of your paper to definitions,
the other half to the application to Anpao; of course, you would develop your paper in thirds if you are doing both the novel and a film. The criteria you establish for comparison should be derived from Louise Cowan.
1. Please be sure to write from a comprehensive THESIS, that is,
an idea with movement, which becomes the central, informing idea of
your paper. You might formulate answers to the two questions (above),
but your paper should reflect a coherent, well-developed, and carefully
illustrated THESIS independent from the questions themselves. This is
YOUR thesis!
2. In order for your paper to become more coherent, you'll need to use
transitions--connecting one section of the paper to the other. At certain,
critical points in the paper, ask the question, "Where have I been,
and where am I going?" The answer to this question provides the
transition. You might also find it helpful to use transitions between
paragraphs, "Now that we have seen the development of the novel, let's
look at some of the characters." Finally, transitions often work
well even between sentences, but here they serve to keep the idea moving:
"In addition," "further," "on the other hand,"
"thus," "moreover," etc.
3. As Aristotle tells us about drama, "All plays have a beginning,
and middle, and an end," so must your papers, i.e., and introduction,
and development, and a conclusion. The introduction contains the single,
most important sentence in your paper, i.e., the thesis. The development
section is the proof of the idea and is often a full reflection of the
movement and the concept in the paper. Cause and effect, illustration,
and definition become the "movement" and give shape to the
idea. The conclusion offers your reader a summary of your most salient
points and has a special shape of its own. The introduction is deductive
while the conclusion is inductive.
3. Documentation is central to this work, and you'll need to study
the MLA Documentation in order to see the scholarly format of
citations and notes. You will find the "MLA Documentation Form (cited below as a link, most helpful.
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4. A critical, reaction paper must contain copious illustrations drawn
from the primary sources under consideration. A good ratio is 50% YOU
and 50% Louise Cowan, and your film or book.
In order to develop the paper well, consider composing an essay of approximately five (5) to eight (8) pages not including the works cited page.
5. Finally, you need to use the writing process, i.e., the pre-writing,
the shaping, the various drafts, and the final, edited version of the
paper. This all should be submitted along with the final, edited version.
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE June, 10, 1999. ( If you want to send the paper Via E-mail and attachment you may do so.) THIS PAPER IS DUE BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON
JUNE 8--4:30 P.M. YOU NEED TO COME TO CLASS EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT STILL BE WRITING YOUR FINAL DRAFT!