Instructions for the Outline of Your Final Essay
1.) Instead of submitting your Notes & Questions, in this unit you will submit your outline for your final essay.
2.) Please include your FOUR expert sources and MLA-formatted citations in your outline.
3.) You may also write any questions you have on the assignment, the synthesis of various readings, and/or the three approaches for the final essay.
For the Final Essay, you must choose from one of these three types of essays:
- Essay One: Genre Dichotomy Essay
Similar to the three Thematic Interpretation Essays, offer a meaningful dichotomy of your own that you explore using at least five works, one from each of the literary genres we’ve studied in the course. - Essay Two: Performance Comparison Essay
A synthesis essay where you compare, contrast, and combine insights into how performances of five or more of the works reflect or detract from their theme(s). The performances (films, TV, music videos, etc.) must be available online (e.g., YouTube or other streaming services; provide links). The essay should include considerations of BOTH the texts and the performances, as well as considering how well the different performances compare in terms of showcasing the specific themes of each work. The five (or more) works may be selected from any unit/genre. - Essay Three: Approach Analysis Essay
A compare and contrast paper examining 12 thematic interpretations of one work from the course readings, analyzing the text (especially its themes, ideas, or meaning) from each of the 11 types of Approaches to Interpretation presented in the course.
For more details on each of these three essays you will choose from, please see the assignment page for the Final Essay itself.
Sample Outline Formats
When creating an outline for your Final Essay in Introduction to Literature, the following outlines may be used (and may be adapted for your own writing).
1.) Outline Template for Essay One: Genre Dichotomy Essay
I. Introduction
A. Hook: Engage the reader with a thought-provoking statement or anecdote.
B. Background: Provide a brief overview of the course and the literary genres studie D.
C. Thesis Statement: Present the meaningful dichotomy you will explore and its significance.
II. Genre 1: Creative Nonfiction
A. Summary of Work 1: Provide a concise summary of the chosen creative nonfiction work.
B. Analysis: Examine how the work exemplifies one aspect of the chosen dichotomy.
C. Supporting Evidence: Provide specific examples or quotes from the work to support your analysis.
III. Genre 2: Fictional Short Story
A. Summary of Work 2: Summarize the chosen fictional short story.
B. Analysis: Discuss how this story relates to the chosen dichotomy and contributes to your overall argument.
C. Supporting Evidence: Include relevant examples or quotes from the story to support your analysis.
IV. Genre 3: Poetry
A. Summary of Work 3: Provide a brief summary of the chosen poem.
B. Analysis: Explore how the poem reflects or contrasts the chosen dichotomy.
C. Supporting Evidence: Include specific lines or stanzas from the poem to support your analysis.
V. Genre 4: Drama
A. Summary of Work 4: Summarize the selected dramatic piece.
B. Analysis: Analyze how the drama explores or embodies the chosen dichotomy.
C. Supporting Evidence: Incorporate relevant scenes or dialogue from the play to support your analysis.
VI. Genre 5: Novel
A. Summary of Work 5: Summarize the chosen novel.
B. Analysis: Discuss how the novel addresses the chosen dichotomy and contributes to your overall argument.
C. Supporting Evidence: Include key passages or quotes from the novel to support your analysis.
VII. Comparative Analysis
A. Identify Patterns: Highlight common themes or elements related to the chosen dichotomy across the five works.
B. Interconnections: Analyze how the different genres provide unique perspectives on the dichotomy and enhance the overall understanding of the theme.
C. Synthesis: Formulate a cohesive interpretation of the chosen dichotomy based on the collective analysis of the works.
VIII. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis: Recap the meaningful dichotomy and its significance in light of the analyzed works.
B. Closing Thoughts: Reflect on the insights gained from studying the dichotomy through different genres.
C. Implications: Discuss the broader implications or applications of your findings in a literary or real-world context.
Note: This outline template provides a general structure that can be adapted to suit your specific dichotomy and chosen works. Make sure to expand each section with relevant analysis, evidence, and connections to support your argument effectively.
2.) Outline Template for Essay Two: Performance Comparison Essay
I. Introduction
A. Hook: Capture the reader’s attention with an engaging opening statement or anecdote.
B. Background: Provide a brief overview of the course and the works you have chosen.
C. Thesis Statement: Present the main focus of your essay, emphasizing the comparison, contrast, and synthesis of insights between the texts and their performances.
II. Work 1: Title and Performance
A. Summary: Provide a concise summary of the selected work, including its main themes.
B. Performance Analysis: Discuss how the chosen performance reflects or detracts from the themes of the original text.
C. Comparison: Compare the effectiveness of the performance in conveying the themes with the original text.
III. Work 2: Title and Performance
A. Summary: Summarize the second chosen work and its main themes.
B. Performance Analysis: Examine how the performance enhances or hinders the exploration of the themes in the original text.
C. Comparison: Compare the portrayal of themes in the performance to the original text, highlighting any differences or similarities.
IV. Work 3: Title and Performance
A. Summary: Provide a brief summary of the third chosen work and its central themes.
B. Performance Analysis: Evaluate how the performance contributes to the understanding and interpretation of the themes in the original text.
C. Comparison: Analyze how the performance compares to the original text in its portrayal of the themes, considering any significant variations or harmonies.
V. Work 4: Title and Performance
A. Summary: Summarize the fourth chosen work and its key themes.
B. Performance Analysis: Assess how the performance adds depth or detracts from the exploration of the themes in the original text.
C. Comparison: Compare the depiction of themes in the performance to the original text, noting any noteworthy departures or convergences.
VI. Work 5: Title and Performance
A. Summary: Provide a concise summary of the fifth chosen work and its central themes.
B. Performance Analysis: Examine how the performance interprets and represents the themes of the original text.
C. Comparison: Compare the performance’s portrayal of themes with the original text, highlighting any significant departures or congruities.
VII. Synthesis and Evaluation
A. Theme Analysis: Identify common themes or patterns that emerge across the various performances and original texts.
B. Comparative Assessment: Evaluate the effectiveness of the performances in showcasing the themes compared to the original texts.
C. Insights and Conclusions: Synthesize the insights gained from the comparative analysis and discuss the significance of the performances in enhancing or detracting from the themes of the original texts.
VIII. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis: Recap the main focus of your essay and the insights gained through the comparison of performances and original texts.
B. Closing Remarks: Reflect on the significance of analyzing performances in relation to literary works and the broader implications of your findings.
C. Recommendation: Offer suggestions for further exploration or analysis of the themes through different performances.
Note: This outline template provides a general structure for your synthesis essay. Ensure that each section is expanded with detailed analysis, evidence, and specific examples from the chosen works and performances. Adapt the template to accommodate the specific works and performances you have selected, providing links to the online performances as required.
3.) Outline Template for Essay Three: Approach Analysis Essay
I. Introduction
A. Hook: Engage the reader with an intriguing statement or question about the chosen work.
B. Background: Provide a brief overview of the work and its significance in the context of the course.
C. Thesis Statement: Clearly state your intention to compare and contrast 12 thematic interpretations of the chosen work, analyzing its themes, ideas, and meaning through each of the 11 types of Approaches to Interpretation presented in the course.
II. Thematic Interpretation 1: Historical/Biographical Criticism (Approach A)
A. Explanation: Introduce the key principles and methodologies of historical/biographical criticism.
B. Interpretation: Analyze the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning using historical/biographical criticism, considering the author’s life and historical context.
III. Thematic Interpretation 2: Psychological Criticism (Approach B)
A. Explanation: Provide an overview of the main tenets and techniques of psychological criticism.
B. Interpretation: Examine the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning through the lens of psychological criticism, delving into the characters’ motivations, subconscious desires, and psychological states.
IV. Thematic Interpretation 3: Power Dynamics (Approach C)
A. Explanation: Describe the concepts and theories related to power dynamics in literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Explore the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning by analyzing power dynamics, including issues of gender, race, social class, and authority within the text.
V. Thematic Interpretation 4: Formalism (Approach D)
A. Explanation: Define the principles and techniques of formalist literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Investigate the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning through a formalist lens, focusing on its literary elements, such as structure, language, imagery, and symbolism.
VI. Thematic Interpretation 5: Structuralism (Approach E)
A. Explanation: Introduce the fundamental concepts and methods of structuralist literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Analyze the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning by examining its underlying structures, patterns, and systems of meaning.
VII. Thematic Interpretation 6: Psychological Criticism (Approach F)
A. Explanation: Revisit psychological criticism as another approach to interpret the chosen work.
B. Interpretation: Further delve into the work’s themes, ideas, and meaning through psychological analysis, exploring aspects such as the characters’ personalities, motivations, and conflicts.
VIII. Thematic Interpretation 7: Deconstruction (Approach G)
A. Explanation: Define the principles and techniques of deconstructionist literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Apply deconstruction to the chosen work, examining how binary oppositions, contradictions, and gaps reveal complex layers of meaning and challenge conventional interpretations.
IX. Thematic Interpretation 8: Intertextuality (Approach H)
A. Explanation: Introduce the concept of intertextuality and its relevance in literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Explore the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning by examining its intertextual references, allusions, and connections to other texts or cultural references.
X. Thematic Interpretation 9: Symbolic/Metaphorical/Allegorical Analysis (Approach I)
A. Explanation: Discuss the significance of symbols, metaphors, and allegories in literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Analyze the chosen work’s themes, ideas, and meaning by unraveling its symbolic, metaphorical, and allegorical elements and their implications.
XI. Thematic Interpretation 10: Reader-Response Criticism (Approach J)
A. Explanation: Introduce reader-response criticism and its focus on the role of the reader in interpreting a text.
B. Interpretation: Engage with different reader responses to the chosen work, considering how readers’ perspectives, experiences, and interpretations contribute to its themes, ideas, and meaning.
XII. Thematic Interpretation 11: Personal Response (Approach K)
A. Explanation: Discuss the importance of personal response and subjective interpretation in literary analysis.
B. Interpretation: Reflect on your own personal response to the chosen work, exploring how your unique perspective shapes your understanding of its themes, ideas, and meaning.
XIII. Conclusion
A. Summarize: Recap the main points of the essay, highlighting the diverse thematic interpretations through the 11 Approaches to Interpretation.
B. Synthesize: Discuss the insights gained by examining the chosen work from multiple interpretive perspectives.
C. Final Thoughts: Offer concluding remarks on the significance and value of exploring various thematic interpretations in understanding the depth and complexity of a literary work.
D. Call to Action: Encourage further exploration and discussion of the chosen work’s themes and meaning through the different Approaches to Interpretation.