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English 1B Exploratory Papers           

  • The four exploratory papers (25 points each) give you an opportunity to explore ideas and to practice applying literary terms to the readings you will use for your essays.
  • Length 500 - 600 words (I will not read over the maximum; however, if you like, you can add a very short paragraph at the end of the paper that poses a thesis statement or two for my consideration.)
  • You will post the exploratory papers on a designated discussion forum, and comment on each others' papers.
  • You will also submit these papers to me via Digital Drop Box and email as noted on the syllabus, so I can comment on them.
  • These are a new experiment this semester--they replace the 10 journals I used to assign.  They also replace formal rough drafts.  Still I expect you to practice the kind of style you'll want to master for your essays assignments.  (See Tips for Writing Literary Analysis Essays.)
  • You should always read and think about the Essay Assignment before you begin the Exploratory paper.

Short Fiction Exploratory Paper
Drama Exploratory Paper
Poetry Exploratory Paper
Novel Exploratory Paper

Short Fiction Exploratory Paper:

Due Feb. 6 to the Short Fiction Exploratory Workshop Forum on BlackBoard Discussion Boards.  Copy and paste to the forum.  Do not attach.

Review the Essay One Assignment and choose one of the options.  Each option asks you to compare and contrast two stories, a story read in Week Three and a story you have not read yet.  Each assignment option also gives you a "tip" for getting started. Once you have chosen your option, complete the suggested tip for that assignment, applying the questions in that tip to the story you read last week.  

For example, if you choose the first option, "Focus on Plot," you will explore plot development in "A Rose for Emily."  In other words, I don't want only a list of answers to the plot questions, but also the conclusions you come to about the way plot is working in that story. Keep in mind the question posed in the essay assignment: How does the plot development help the authors build suspense?  

If you choose the second option, "Focus on Character," you will complete the same exercise, but use questions 8-11 to explore character "Saving Sourdi," and then pose some ideas about what Nea's (the narrator/younger sister's) sense of herself as a rescuer reveals about her  character.

Use the same general techniques if you have chosen either the "Focus on Setting" or the Focus on Symbolism option.

Note: For the exploratory paper you are only required to address the story you read last week.  However, if you have already read the second story in your chosen option, you are welcome to include it in your exploratory paper, but please stay within the word limits 500 - 600, so that I can read through your paper and give you feedback before Essay One is due.

Also, practice introducing the story you discuss by title and author (see Tips for Writing Literary Analysis Essays).

Length 500 - 600 words (I will not read over the maximum; however, if you like, you can add a very short paragraph at the end of the paper that poses a thesis statement or two for my consideration.  The paragraph should alert me you are doing that.

Note: Late papers will not receive points or instructor comments.

Drama Exploratory Paper

Due March 6 to the Drama Exploratory Workshop Forum on BlackBoard Discussion Boards.  Copy and paste to the forum.  Do not attach.

Review the Essay Two Assignment.

500-600 words: Identify and discuss the following elements of drama as they apply to A Raisin in the Sun:

Exposition
Conflict
Plot
Subplot
Protagonist
Antagonist
The pyramidal pattern
Foil 
Theme 

Please do not submit a list--organize in paragraphs, and use short quotes as evidence when appropriate.  You should also think about your essay focus as you write.

Also, practice introducing the play by title and author (see Tips for Writing Literary Analysis Essays).

Length 500 - 600 words (I will not read over the maximum; however, if you like, you can add a very short paragraph at the end of the paper that poses a thesis statement or two for my consideration.  The paragraph should alert me you are doing that.

Note: Late papers will not receive points or instructor comments.

Poetry Exploratory Paper

Due April 3 to the Poetry Exploratory Workshop Forum on BlackBoard Discussion Boards.  Copy and paste to the forum.  Do not attach.

Review the Essay Three Assignment.

Discuss one or two poems you will use in your poetry Essay  in terms of the elements of poetry.  In other words identify the elements in the poems and tell your reader why they are important to understanding the meaning of the poem.  

Use the information in Chapters 21-29 as needed, as well as the online source Elements of Poetry, as needed.

Length 500 - 600 words (I will not read over the maximum; however, if you like, you can add a very short paragraph at the end of the paper that poses a thesis statement or two for my consideration.  The paragraph should alert me you are doing that.

Note: Late papers will not receive points or instructor comments.

Novel Exploratory Paper

Due April 28 (note the switch to a Friday Due date) to the Drama Exploratory Workshop Forum on BlackBoard Discussion Boards.  Copy and paste to the forum.  Do not attach.

Review the Essay Four Assignment and explore any aspect of the novel (you should use some elements of fiction) that you feel will help you to get started on your essay.

Length 500 - 600 words (I will not read over the maximum; however, if you like, you can add a very short paragraph at the end of the paper that poses a thesis statement or two for my consideration.  The paragraph should alert me you are doing that.

Note: Late papers will not receive points or instructor comments.