Stylistic Essay

In preparation for writing the stylistic essay, please write a paragraph or two in which you identify the essay you plan to write on, that essay's thesis, your own thesis, and the ways and extent to which style or stylistic devices function in the essay. Below the essay assignment, I've included a close-reading annotated checklist, which I would like you to fill out in order to help you write this paragraph or paragraphs and your essay overall. Please feel free to write me with questions.

The Stylistic Essay:
Due November 5th

In this unit you have read a number of highly stylized essays and poems, and we have discussed different stylistic devices. In a four – five page response paper, I would like you to pick one or two of the following essays to write on: “The Knife,” “Why Do I Fast,” “He and I,” or “Meatless Days,” and do a close reading of it, discussing what stylistic elements are used and how they contribute to the essay’s overall meaning. In this response you must identify the essay’s thesis, or general message, and then, after identifying that thesis, you must clearly supply your own regarding the ways in which you believe the stylistic elements we’ve discussed enhance or detract from the piece you are discussing. If you choose to discuss two pieces, you must discuss how they are similar and or different, and how these comparisons enhance or detract from your overall thesis.

In your response you may want to address some if not all of these questions: what was the author’s intention and what is the thesis? How is the thesis supported and specifically, what evidence is supplied? Make sure to give examples and quote passages. What stylistic devices are used? How do they enhance or detract from the meaning? Did you have an emotional reaction to the essay? Did your reaction change with analysis?

Please include a close-reading annotated checklist, and again this response should be four – five pages long and in 12 point Times New Roman Font. Good luck and work hard.


Close-Reading Annotated Checklist:

Essay Title:

Author:

Introduction:


How does the author introduce his or her subject?

Why?

Is the introduction effective? Why?

Is the thesis introduced? If so, what is it?


Body Paragraphs and Evidence:


What is the thesis?

How is the thesis supported and what evidence is supplied?

List examples of supporting evidence:


Construction:


Where in the essay do examples of supporting evidence occur?

Where is the thesis stated?

Does the thesis evolve? If so, how?



Conclusion:


How does the essay conclude? Why?

What new insights are gained in the conclusion?