American Literature-March Analysis

March Analysis

Description

Unit 2 Essay: Textual/Literary Analysis of March (Trilogy by Andrew Aydin and John Lewis)

For your second major assignment, you will write an analysis of a theme, message or argument within the March trilogy. The theme you choose to focus on will be of YOUR choosing, taking care to keep in mind our class resources and discussions about themes/messages, patterns, rhetorical devices and other elements of textual analysis.

This assignment has two purposes: 1) Identify ONE main message or argument within the March trilogy In other words, what do Lewis/Aydin/Powell argue about a certain topic like racism, discrimination, the struggle for equality, the importance of standing up for one’s rights, and the power of non-violent resistance? There are MANY topics, messages, and arguments in this book. Choose one that most interests you. 2) Explore how Lewis/Aydin/Powell express this message, argument, or theme by analyzing their use of visual rhetoric devices like closure, fragmentation, emotive lines and rhetorical devices like metaphors, symbols, word choice, tone, ethos, pathos, logos, etc.) You will not analyze all of their visual and rhetorical choices, only ONE or TWO (at the most 3) that are relevant to your chosen theme or argument or message.

A word of caution: Please do not summarize March! Provide an introduction to the book, let the reader know what your thesis is, and dive into your analysis. Be sure to use specific evidence from the text to make your points. Do not quote long passages, however. Rather, use words and phrases from the book mixed into your own sentences and ideas whenever possible.

Minimum Requirements

It is not possible to receive passing grades on essays without fulfilling all minimum requirements. Your literary analysis should include the following elements:

A clear introduction and thesis that sets up your analysis. Please see the sample literary analysis for an example of a model thesis statement.
Several body paragraphs that develop your thesis. Please refer to the sample literary analysis for ideas on how to develop and organize your analysis.
Evidence from March that supports your thesis.
A reference to at least one outside sources to help you discuss your chosen theme. I suggest you use evidence from the readings included in “March Module” on canvas. You are free to conduct your own independent research, but you must use credible sources otherwise I will not accept those sources. If you do not know how to find credible sources, then do not conduct independent research.
A conclusion that underscores the importance or significance of your analysis.
4-6 pages, typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced, MLA formatted, works cited page, and correct in-text citations. Your essay should be no less than 4 complete pages, not including the works cited page.
Academic tone and writing free from grammatical/syntactical errors.

How to Start this Assignment:

First, identify a topic from March you are interested in exploring.
Second, identify a theme, message or argument about that topic (what are Lewis/Aydin/Powell arguing or expressing about your topic?)
Third, explore how Lewis/Aydin/Powell express this argument or message or theme (what one or two central visual and rhetorical devices like closure, lines, fragmentation, repetition symbols, metaphors, tone, ethos, pathos, logos do they use to develop this theme?)
Focus on what interests YOU. Analyze a certain type of closure, or a certain visual rhetoric device, a central metaphor, a central symbol, the psychology of a central character, how they use song lyrics, etc.
Read the sample literary analysis for a better understanding of this essay.
Rubric
Rubric for Final Draft of Literary/Textual Analysis (1)
Rubric for Final Draft of Literary/Textual Analysis (1)

Criteria

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Introduction and Thesis–The introduction includes adequate summary information about March and includes a thesis that identifies Lewis/Aydin/Poweel’s main theme/point/argument and the visual and rhetorical devices they use to develop this theme throughout the books
20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Analysis –The body of the essay includes relevant examples in the form of direct quotes or specific summarized passages/images from March that support the writer’s thesis and relate to the theme/argument and visual/rhetorical devices he/she is analyzing. The writer goes beyond summary and analyzes how the visual/rhetorical devices work to convey Lewis/Aydin/Powell’s theme or argument.
65.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Organization—Logical and fluid development related to the thesis.
25.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Use of Sources—The essay includes references March and at least one source from unit 2 related to March. Sources and quotes are fully integrated using the 3 step quotation integration method.
20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Mechanics –Evidences a command of academic writing and style that is free from grammatical/sentence structure errors and conforms to MLA style.
20.0 pts

Total Points: 150.0