Essay Assignment 1: Documented Literary AnalysisYour literary analysis essay will be on the novel Sula by Toni Morrison. You can choose from any of the topics listed below (recommended) or explore further topics in the chapter on Sula, pp. X to Y in the book How to Write about Toni Morrison (linked here for your convenience).Your literary analysis should be between 2 1⁄2 and 3 pages (600 to 750 words), not including the Works Cited page, should be double spaced in Times New Roman 12- point font and must include:A clearly articulated thesis that states, somewhere in your introduction, the assertion (position, interpretation) that your paper will proveAn introduction, a minimum of 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusionAt least two quotes from the novel itself that are integrated into your discussionAt least two citations of outside sources (such as literary criticism on the novel, preferably from articles from the MDC databases)Topic sentences that focus the discussion in the body paragraphsExamples, details, explanations in the body paragraphs that clearly supportyour thesisClear connections between ideas from paragraph to paragraph and withinparagraphsProper MLA style format in the heading, in the in-text citations, and in theWorks Cited page (see the template for the heading and margins in this lesson)Works Cited page includes articles from two sources and from the novel for aminimum of three total listed sourcesStandard usage, grammar, and mechanicsIMPORTANT INFORMATION:➢ You will submit your final draft through the Turn-it-in drop box designated for this purpose in the course. Please be aware, that although Turn-it-in does allow for similarities for quotations up to 24% of your paper, any similarity above 24% is considered too high for an original paper and will be flagged as plagiarism.➢ You can get help with your paper at any of the campus writing centers (see the link in the course with this information), and you can also receive online help via SmartThinking, the online tutoring service provided by the College. Thisservice is available by clicking on SmartThinking in the left-hand menu bar of the course under Tools & Resources.Choose from the following topics:Analyze the ending of the novel. What are the “circles of sorrow” that Nel experiences? Is the ending pessimistic, optimistic, or something else altogether?Nel and Sula’s friendship is central in the novel. What role does this friendship play in Nel and Sula’s lives and what point is Morrison making about the role of life-long friendships in the formation of identity?How do people who are intensely individualistic fare in the novel? Is it possible to break away from the values of the community and to be one’s own person? Answer the question with reference to at least two of the novel’s characters.How and by whom is love expressed in the novel? In what ways is the love in the novel a ease the suffering of the characters? How is love not enough to appease the characters in light of their suffering?In what ways are the various characters in the novel alienated from the community? How do they cope with their loneliness, their preoccupations, and other after effects of feeling abandoned?Compare and contrast the journey of self-discovery for two characters in the book. Remember to take a position in your thesis that establishes the significance of the comparison and contrast.Contrast Nel’s relationship to her mother and Sula’s interaction with her mother. Remember to take a position in your thesis that establishes the significance of the contrast.Trace the use of three symbols in the novel and explain their connection to a theme in the novel.What does Shadrack’s character teach us about the after effects of war and the ways mentally ill people can be ostracized from a community?Although no one has ever joined Shadrack on National Suicide Day, in the chapter titled 1941, much of the town marches toward the tunnel where they have not been able to get work and in their rage, the try to “kill, as best they could, the tunnel they were forbidden to build” (160). What is the significance of the event at the tunnel and the resulting deaths there?

Read the text of Trifles hereAfter reading and listening to Trifles, select one visual production to evaluate. Focusing on one scene or one character, record your impressions of both the audio and visual productions. Chart the similarities between the two productions and your own expectations.In a three-page essay, explain what aspect you chose to examine, how the two productions treated that aspect of the play, and how they compare with your expectation. Evaluate which production you liked most, which had the most emotional appeal, which you thought best captured the intent of the author.Remember to format your essay according to MLA guidelinesSee the following rubric:Indicator/Point ValueDescriptionInstructor CommentsIndicator: Essay demonstrates an understanding of the play and the themes present in the play. Point Value: 25The essay focuses on one scene or one character in the play.Essay includes information about both the audio and visual productions.Similarities and differences between the two productions are analyzed.Similarities and differences between the audio and visual production and the student’s own expectations are addressed.Description of how the two productions treated the chosen aspect of the play are includedEvaluation of which production the student liked most, which had the most emotional appeal, and which best captured the intent of the author is includedIndicator: Essay provides a strong comparison between the visual and audio productions.Point Value: 45 Essay has a clear introduction, well-developed thesis that fully addresses each part of the prompt, appropriately structured body paragraphs that support the thesis, and a strong conclusion.Equal time is devoted to both the visual and audio productions.Evidence from both productions are included to support claims.Indicator: MLA formatting is met.Point Value: 1512-point Arial or Times New Roman fontDouble spacedOne inch marginsEssay is in MLA formatWorks Cited page is included in MLA formatIn-text citations are in MLA formatIndicator: Correct English grammar is met.Point Value: 15Writing is free of spelling or word use errors.Writing is free of run-on sentences or sentence fragments.All punctuation is used appropriately.All proper nouns and the beginnings of sentences are capitalized appropriately.All other standard English grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules are followed.Sentences vary in structure between simple, complex, compound, and complex-compound structures.Fully developed paragraphs have a minimum of four – five sentences each.Formal academic voice used (no first person or contractions used)