The Lottery By Shirley Jackson Reflection Analysis

The Lottery By Shirley Jackson Reflection Analysis

English 231
Final Exam: Reflective Analysis Essay: Why ____________________ is my favorite story.

A reflective essay requires the writer to examine his or her experiences and explore how these experiences shape him or her. It is essentially an analysis of your own experience focusing on what you’ve learned. Specifically, as it relates to our class, you will reflect on the stories that we have discussed, select one, and discuss why it stands out to you amongst the others. In essence, you will answer the following question: Why __________________________ is my favorite story covered this semester.

Therefore, the purpose of the essay is to: 1) Discuss the story in greater detail, and 2) analyze the text through your reasons for selecting it.

Steps

Step 1. To generate ideas for your paper, use the prewriting technique “Questioning”. The question at hand is, “Why is this story a standout to me?” What are things that about this text? Therefore, consider the following:
• A literary element-how the author uses it and its effectiveness (irony, theme, tone, symbolism, foreshadowing, etc. Refer to our list of terms saved under “Files’ and/or the discussion board, graded assignments, and journal entries.
• A particular character. What is it about this character that allows him or her to stand out? Consider their motivation, actions, history, epiphany/change/dynamic characterization, etc.
• The lesson(s) the story teaches through themes. What is the author showing or pointing out to the reader/audience? Think of the term we have been discussing-parable
• The writing style of the author and what it does for the text
• How or why this story relates to me personally or people in general (correlates to theme)
• The story’s ending and effect on the reader
• Other things you found interesting/engrossing about the text.

Furthermore, these could be used as supporting points/reasons for your essay’s body paragraphs. After answering these questions and/or making notes, draft a thesis statement which will answer the topic question at hand. Remember that one way to compose a thesis statement is to simply answer the topic question.

Step 2. Compose an outline. Although an outline is not required for the paper, it will help organize your essay, particularly the body paragraphs, since these will support your thesis.

Step 3: Write your first draft. Then edit/revise your draft for grammar, punctuation, wordiness, content, etc.

Requirements / Guidelines

• A clear thesis that indicates the essay’s purpose. Again, it should answer the topic question-Why ____________________ is a favorite short story.

• Clearly organized in essay format: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
INTRODUCTION: Capture your reader’s attention with an interesting hook or opening comment in a few sentences. Remember there are several ways to open an essay, such as a quote, a surprising or dramatic statement, a question, a definition, etc. Whichever technique you choose, it should relate to the story and/or purpose of the essay. Then, introduce your author and the story’s title followed by a brief summary of the story in about 1-3 sentences. Place your thesis toward the end of the introduction. The last statement should be as follows: “All page references are to the literary text, (Title of story) written by (Author’s name).

BODY: Each body paragraph will first present a topic sentence ( a reason or point to support/defend your thesis). The remainder of the paragraph will consist of supporting details. Pull evidence from the story to support your topic sentence by using direct quotes. Other forms of evidence could be actions of the character/specific events of the story, etc. In literature, we call this “Writing from the text” or “text-based” writing.

Examples:
—Jackson states, “Pack of crazy fools. There has always been a lottery”. The author uses Ole Man Warner to point out that…..
—-O’connor writes, “Why you’re one of my own babies!” Here, the grandmother is……

—-According to Carver, “Learning Never Ends”. The protagonist undergoes a profound experience with Robert, one which he never thought would happen. This is relatable to the reader because….

****After introducing your evidence (if it is in the form of a quote), then discuss it for your reader.

Here is another sample body paragraph in a literary essay.
“The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
One way that the short story “The Birthmark” embodies patriarchal society is that Georgiana submits to Aylmer—even at risk of her life. For example, Georgiana finally breaks down under the weight of Aylmer’s insistence, she tells him to go ahead. Hawthorne writes, “at whatever risk,” for “this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror and disgust” (337). Despite her unhappiness with removing the birthmark, Georgiana gives Aylmer the power to change her to please him. Moreover, by disregarding her own safety just to please her husband, she performs the role of the absolutely submissive wife. Therefore, the story embodies patriarchal power because Georgiana will do anything to please her husband, even die.
1. Topic sentence / claim
2 Introduction of evidence
3. Presentation of evidence (quote)
4. Proper and complete citation of evidence
5. Discussion / explanation of evidence

Note: if there is no page number provided, just put the author’s last name in parenthesis.

(Jackson).

If you introduce the evidence with author’s name at the beginning, then there is no need to put a citation at the end.

Example:

Jackson writes, “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.”

CONCLUSION: Save something interesting to say in your conclusion. Do more than simply repeat what you said in the introduction. Remember that the conclusion should have energy and leave an impression. Do not introduce a new point in your conclusion. Simply provide some final remarks on the text, in addition to reminding the reader of your reasons for selecting the story.

• MLA format with 1-inch margins and proper heading and footer, double spaced.

• . The paper should be written in 1st / third person. Avoid the pronoun
” you”/second person.

• Length should be at least 2-3 pages or 5 paragraphs. The paper should not exceed 5 pages.

• Title your paper as follows: Literary Highlight: A Reflective Analysis of author’s last name) (title of story).

• In your body paragraphs, refer to your author by his or her last name.

• Write in present tense. Although the literature has already been told, we write about it in present tense. Remember, you are having a discussion with the reader. Example: An interesting thing is that Tessie arrives late. She then proclaims that winning the lottery is not fair. This is a good point that the author makes about hypocrisy.

Other tips:

• Refer to the body paragraphs of the sample papers provided to see how the writers discuss the literature. Also, refer to the discussion boards, lecture videos, graded response questions, and journal entries for ideas.

• Dates and Deadlines: Submit a rough draft for my review. The rough draft should be submitted (to my email or in Canvas) no later than Wednesday, December 1 by 5PM if you would like feedback on your paper.
The final draft will be due by Thursday, December 9 @ noon in Canvas.

• This paper requires no research. However, if you incorporate outside sources, it should be documented in MLA format.

• Have fun with this essay. Remember, you selected it because it is your favorite story. The body of the essay will articulate why it is a favorite or standout.

Note: I will discuss the paper and requirements in a video.
At any time, reach out to me if you have questions about the paper.
——Go ahead and get started now!!!

SAMPLE OUTLINE:

I. Introduction

Open with an attention grabber or hook. Then introduce the author and the story’s title, followed by a summary of the story and your thesis/main point of the essay.
Your thesis should answer the topic question.

II. Body

A. Open each paragraph with a topic sentence— a point or reason connected to the thesis. Then explain your point and support it with quotes and/or examples from the story.

B. Explain your second point connected to your thesis and support it with quotations and examples from the story.

C. Explain your most important idea connected to your thesis. Discuss your perspective and support it with quotations/other evidence from the story.
Note: Although the body of a typical short essay contains three different points, your essay can contain up to 5.

III. Conclusion: You can summarize your main points and connect them to your thesis. Additionally, include something interesting in your conclusion, and again, do not introduce anything new. Treat your conclusion as you would the introduction—remember, people remember best what they read, see, or hear last.

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