Final Paper
Guidelines Critical Essay
- The essay should be 8-10 pages in length, not
including the Works Cited page. If it is a bit longer, you will not be
penalized. If it is shorter, you will be; however, if you simply add
verbiage to lengthen your essay, it will still be too short. What you say
MUST be significant.
- Your argument MUST be ORIGINAL, and it must be written
from a critical perspective that is not already represented in your
casebook. Do not simply repeat what others have said about your text. You
may take issue with a particular article and use this article as a
springboard for your essay, but do NOT regurgitate someone else’s premise.
It is permissible, however, to review briefly what other critics have said
about your work; doing so proves that you have done your homework—that you
are familiar with what others have said. This demonstrated familiarity
increases your credibility as a critic.
- Whether your thesis is clearly stated in a few
sentences or “implied,” no one should have to guess what you are arguing.
You must give your reader a road map. REMEMBER, no one can argue a fact;
a fact is not a thesis.
- This essay MUST be CRITICAL. A critical essay is
grounded in theory and uses the theory and comments by other critics to
support the argument. While I will not say that you must cite a certain
number of sources, I will say that no critical essay worth its salt will
have fewer than five sources.
- Don’t be predictable!!!! Your essay should make the
reader say, “Wow! I never thought of that slant.” Essays that present only
the obvious will not earn higher than a D.
- Do not rely on plot summary. You may assume that any
reader who is looking at your essay will have some familiarity with the
text. If you include a brief account of an event/scene in the text, be sure
to note the significance of the event/scene.
- Don’t forget your “SO WHAT?” Your conclusion should
not be a restatement of your thesis. Tell the reader why your argument is
significant. What are the consequences/implications of your insights?
- In-text citations must be correct using MLA format.
Your Works Cited page must be correct, also using MLA format. If you are
unsure about the format, LOOK IT UP!!!
- Be very careful about plagiarism. Make sure that you
use quotation marks when needed. Consult “The Correct Use of Borrowed
Information” on the English Department Web Page if you have any questions
about how to incorporate summarized, paraphrased, or quoted works
correctly. ANY PLAGIARISM, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL, WILL
RESULT IN A GRADE OF F.