Write an essay interpreting one of the short stories we read in class (see the list of stories below). Aim to convince readers that your view of the story is interesting and adds to the ongoing conversation among those who read stories and write about them.

Length: 4-5 pages (1000-1250 words)
Format: Submit as an attached document (.doc or .pdf) in Word
Write an essay interpreting one of the short stories we read in class (see the list of stories below). Aim to convince readers that your view of the story is interesting and adds to the ongoing conversation among those who read stories and write about them. Back up your interpretation with reasons and support (textual evidence in the forms of quotations, paraphrases, summaries) from the story. I strongly recommend that you choose one of the journals you have already written and revise it for this assignment.
When developing your interpretation, refer to your notes on literary terminology that we discussed at the beginning of the semester (character, setting, plot structure, symbolism, and theme) in our textbook. You may also refer to your class notes, and reflect on class discussions. Remember that your thesis should state clearly your understanding of the main idea of the story (theme) and include appropriate key terms that you will illustrate throughout the body of the essay. Your supporting evidence should be taken directly from the story. The Triton College Library has a collection of reference books entitled Short Story Criticism that contain critical essays about short stories. Although you are not required to do research for this assignment, I recommend that you consult this source if you are struggling with your interpretation. You may ask a librarian where the source is located and how to find your particular story.
Your essay should have the following:
An Appropriately Presented Subject. Make sure to include the authors name and the title of the story in quotation marks in the introduction paragraph. You do not need to summarize the story for your audience, as we have all read the stories. Therefore, use summary only as evidence to support your ideas about the meaning of the story.
An Interesting and Clearly Stated Interpretation. You must have a thesis statement that clearly states what you think is the central meaning of the story. The thesis should be located at the end of the first paragraph, and it should be one or two sentences. Make sure that your thesis is not a statement of fact, a question, or a conclusion that most readers would make just by reading the story. Remember to incorporate key terms in your thesis that you will repeat and illustrate throughout the body of the essay.
A Plausible Chain of Reasons with Convincing Support. You must argue for your interpretation and show readers how you have come to this interpretation. Include your reasons (secondary points or sub-points of your argument) in the topic sentences of each supporting paragraph. Use quotations from the story and explain how they are related to your main idea.
Correct Use of MLA Style. In-text citations should include the page number of the quote, paraphrase or summary following in parentheses. You should also have a separate Works Cited page that includes one entry on the story youve chosen to write about.

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