Prompt:

This assignment will test student skills in close reading, especially as that skill pertains to works of literature. Students will be expected to analyze an assigned text carefully and develop an argument regarding the whole of the text through a close reading. The argument should center on the theme of the class, which is addiction and drug use. No outside sources may be used for this assignment. The paper should not be a summary—you should make an argument about the text and use the text as evidence. You will quote lines and passages from the text itself to use as evidence.

Note: Ideally you would write about an assigned literary text, but we can chat further if you’d like to use a text that hasn’t been assigned or is not a work of literature.

Possible texts include:

• James Baldwin, "Sonny’s Blues"
• William Burroughs, Junky
• Hunter Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
• Jason Myers, Exit Here.
• Eden Robsinson, Son of a Trickster

Organization Requirements

Introduction: introduce your topic and the text you will be analyzing (why is it important, how does the topic/text relate to the contemporary moment; how is it relevant; why should the reader be interested); keep your audience in mind (I’ve read the text, so I don’t need a summary); state your thesis.

Body paragraphs: should relate back to your thesis and be organized in the order stated in thesis. Connect paragraphs with transitional words/phrases and strong topic sentences that connect paragraphs and relate back to thesis (First, Secondly, In addition) (“In addition, the dream deferred is not only portrayed through the raisin, but it is also portrayed through the festering sore”).

Conclusion: summarize your argument; restate your thesis and how you proved it; state the implications and importance of your analysis; can state ideas for future research.

Keep in mind that every sentence, every paragraph should work toward supporting your thesis! Ask yourself, "does this sentence/paragraph help support my argument?" If not, how can you change it to work towards proving your thesis?

Grammar and Style Requirements

• Do not use second person (your/yours)
• Can use “I” sparingly
• Use professional and academic language; avoid conversational language
  • “Academic” language doesn’t necessarily mean “big words," but can simply mean being clear and concise. For example, instead of saying, “I am going to explain how racism is portrayed in “Harlem” through this, that, and this," you could simply say, “Racism is portrayed in “Harlem” through this, that, and this”
  • Avoid language you would use when talking to friends (helps to read writing out loud)
  • Avoid cliches or “fluffy” language; cliches are often vague–be specific. For example, instead of saying “Nowadays” you could say “In the 21st century.” Or, instead of saying ”Hughes leaves every stone unturned,” provide specific examples of how Hughes is being thorough and paying attention to detail
• Avoid contractions:  “do not” instead “don’t

Format Requirements

Length: 1,200 words minimum

Format: 12-pt Times New Roman or 11-pt Calibri font, double spaced, 1” margins, name and date, page #s, title, in-text citations with a least the page/line number

Submission: Turn in as an attached document in Word format (doc/docx). Name the file using your full name and the name of the assignment (e.g.: Emory Smith Close Reading).