Novel ” Emma” by Jane Austen.
For this literary analysis essay, you will select one of the specific
debates/figures/moral dilemmas/literary formations (style, word choice, language
usage). In your thesis statement, make an argument for how to interpret it and why.
This is a persuasive essay with a small research component, where you will argue
why the reader should see it in the way you do using examples of close reading of
the text. An ideal conclusion will discuss how this one aspect of the novel impacts
the overall understanding of the novel, perhaps in relation to a specific character or
idea.
What will make this essay work is your ability to establish a concrete position on how
to read something in the piece of fiction selected, and to know what the
counterargument is. This action requires the ability to formulate a strong thesis
statement that sets up an argument to be proven in the essay, using specific textual
evidence in the form of quotations to show the reader that your points can be proven
through close readings. The counterargument does not need to receive extensive
treatment in the essay, but should be acknowledged, as perhaps a more conventional
idea that a reader might have after reading the novel, and as a way to sharpen your
position.
Research support for your argument should come in the form of one piece of literary
criticism (minimum). Acceptable sources for literary criticism for secondary sources:
JASNA.org; Pemberley.org; Norton edition supplementary essays; Hellman Library
databases: JSTOR, Project Muse, Academic Search Premier; or GoogleScholar). You
can use one social history website as an additional secondary source on historical
context.
For this essay are required three pieces of evidence that will support the thesis
There are required 3 research sources and the main source is the novel “Emma” , while supporting the thesis in the pieces of evidence there should be included 1-2 citations from the novel.
