1. Your main goal is to write an argumentative essay which utilizes the novel and one supporting scholarly journal article. You may also use material from Beginning Theory to support your argument.
2. You will apply a theoretical concept (such as feminism, new historicism, etc.) to the novel. In order to do this successfully, you will come to your own conclusions about the novel, and use the supporting scholarly journal article you have chosen to back up those conclusions.
3. You may use ANY theoretical concept from Beginning Theory, regardless of whether or not we have covered the material together. Choose a concept that interests you!
4. Don’t forget to directly quote from the novel AND from the supporting article.
5. To begin searching for a supporting article, first go to the “Scholarly Articles” link in the menu to the left. There you will find a set of potential supporting articles for each of the novels we are reading. If you don’t find an article you like, then you will have to expand your research, using the library databases. Please look at the “Library Information” link to learn more about how to navigate the library’s databases.
6. Required length: Minimum 3 pages. Please see below for a full list of formatting guidelines.
7. Please note that you will receive feedback/revision suggestions from me after you turn in your rough draft. You will then have a few days to revise/improve your essay before the final grade.





