Gatsby Analysis Assignment

Goals:

1. To demonstrate your ability to explicate and interpret a passage from The Great Gatsby;

2. To express your understanding of the work as a whole (macrocosm) through close examination of a small section of the work (microcosm);

3. To illustrate your communicative skills in sharing your insights with readers.

Product:

A thesis-driven essay of approximately three or four pages that includes one passage of your choice from chapters 6-9, a literal interpretation of the passage in about one paragraph, and the bulk of the essay devoted to a deeper interpretation of the same passage, all of which should contribute to proving your thesis.

The Process (recommended, with recommended time allotments; you may wish to complete these items in a different order or add your own steps):

1. Choose a passage from the novel (chapters 6-9) and read it carefully (30 minutes maximum).

2. Write a brief summary (literal meaning) of your passage (15-30 minutes).

3. Explore the passage’s word choices.  Look words up in the dictionary! Consider multiple meanings of a single word. Notice how the words work in context, what images they evoke, what moods they convey, and how they might deepen the surface meaning of the passage (30 minutes).

4. Consider what the deeper meaning of the passage might be (30-45 minutes).

5. Free write about that meaning and choose the best ideas from your free writing to craft an argument about the novel’s larger meaning (30-45 minutes).

6. Craft a working thesis (15 minutes maximum).

7. Compose an essay draft that includes your thesis, literal interpretation, and deeper interpretation (1-2 hours).

8. Find additional quotations from elsewhere in the novel that help to bolster your interpretation and integrate them into your essay draft (1 hour).

9. Set the essay aside for at least 48 hours and then reread it, making sure that the ideas are sufficiently complex, that the thesis moves well beyond the surface meaning of the passage, and that it is sufficiently supported with textual evidence as well as your own arguments and insights. Make substantive changes as necessary (48 hours plus 1 hour).

10.  Proofread the entire essay aloud, preferably on hard copy, checking for and correcting typos, grammatical errors, awkward or wordy phrasing, and any mandates you may have been given (45 minutes).

The Annoying Little Details:

The essay should include page numbers, a title, and the passage you’ve chosen (copied right beneath the title is great, but you can include it in the text if you’d rather).

Grading:

Grading will be based on the quality of your thesis, the inclusion of all the elements listed above, your success in achieving the three goals, and the sophistication of your prose.

Deadlines:

Final Draft: Friday, February 5 before 3:00, on Google Classroom.

Rough Drafts: No later than Monday, February 1 at midnight.

I will read rough drafts and offer feedback. I strongly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity, but rough drafts for this essay are recommended rather than required.  I will not comment on rough drafts submitted later than February 1.

Your rough draft submissions need not be complete; I will also comment on thesis statements, introductory or concluding paragraphs, outlines, or partial drafts.

FAQs:

1. Does the essay really have to be 3-4 pages long?  No, that’s just a guideline. To some degree, the length of your essay will depend upon your chosen passage and your thesis.

2. How long should my chosen passage be?  Ideally, 3-5 sentences.  Resist the temptation to choose a really long passage because you think it will give you more material.  YOU generate the material, not the passage.  Use the passages from our class activity as guides.

3. Can I use additional quotations from the book to support my thesis?  Not only can you do so; you should!

4. I am freaking out.  Is that reasonable? No, not really.  You are perfectly capable of writing this essay.  Just don’t procrastinate, follow the process, take advantage of the draft-reading policy, and focus on saying something interesting.  You’ll be fine.

5. I hate deciding things. Will you just choose the passage for me? No, sorry.  That’s part of your responsibility for crafting this essay.

6. Can I get my father/ mother/ sibling/ friend/ English teacher acquaintance to help me with this essay? You can certainly get opinions and feedback from outside readers, but they cannot (1) write directly on your essay, either in print or digital form; (2) do “track changes” or “googledocs suggestions” on your essay; or (3) offer specific suggestions, word choices, or phrases for you to include in your essay.  Outside readers can, however, (1) tell you that something is confusing or poorly written, as long as you fix it yourself; (2) ask you questions about your work or engage you in conversation about it; or (3) ask probing questions about specific passages, such as “why did you say that?” or “how do you know that’s true?” or “what did you mean here?”  When you engage an outside reader, feel free to show him or her this FAQ to ensure that all rules are followed appropriately.

7. Can I ask you questions that are already answered on this assignment sheet?  I’d rather if you didn’t.  Thanks for asking.