Richard II and William Shakespear Play

Purpose

To argue for an interpretation of a film or text read in class using concepts from a school of criticism and responding to the argument in two outside sources

Task

Write a focused critical interpretation of Richard II or the play you used in your group project
It must reflect the point of view of any one or more schools of criticism you are interested in
Use concepts from the lens
Don’t make the lens you’re using in your paper. It should be obvious! 🙂
You can use two closely related lenses. Psychological/feminist criticism are a good combination. So is Marxist/New Historicism.
The analysis must be both original and insightful
You can use the same thesis you used in a CR or in your group project
You can provide your own original analysis of the play

Or you could analyze the play through an extensive interpretation of staging choices. This would be very similar to the group project, but more extensive. If you choose this, be sure to choose at least three key scenes in the play to focus on and discuss a theme that links them all. You would still be using a criticism school as lens
Defend your position by responding to others’ ideas on your topic

Disagree and explain why
Agree and add more of your reasoned conclusions
Agree and disagree with outside sources and explain your position
Use the text as evidence and examples
Focus on the elements of literature we’ve learned this quarter: character and characterization, setting, plot, conflict, symbolism, theme, etc.
Use specific examples, scenes, etc.
Use concrete, descriptive language
Make sure your argument reflects the complexity of the issues the text deals with or suggests
Consider the context surrounding the literature (time period, historical events, themes, topics, etc.)
Add complexity to your topic and points by not focusing on obvious points or by giving easy solutions to complex ideas, and by considering the richness in the themes
Literally, read between the lines
Include more than your perspective on the issue
Focus on HOW and WHY rather than merely on describing or summarizing. Consider the thesis statements that follow:

There is religious symbolism in Richard II that reflect the beliefs of Christianity and Buddhism.
In Shakespeare’s Richard II religious symbols from Christianity and Buddhism enhance audience’s sympathies for the protagonist.

Length and Format

1,000-1,500 words, not including the Works Cited page (about 4-6 double-spaced typed pages)
Use MLA format: have a title (the same font as the rest of the paper), double-space your writing, 1” margins, 12-point standard font size.

Sources

The play + two peer-reviewed sources or book chapters
Sources can be about the text or about the topic.
Don’t use any source that does not make an argument, such as Wikipedia or student guides

Due Date

Thursday, December 10 at 11:59pm. Late papers will not be accepted.

Structure

Introduction: 1-2 paragraphs
Introduce relevant background information (author, year of first performance, etc.)
Other relevant information about your paper’s topic.
What the play is about–very brief summary

End with your thesis, a well-articulated, academic statement that encapsulates your argument
Underline the thesis.
Body

Develop your analysis
Make logical claims
Prove your points with ample and appropriate evidence from the text, your sources, and your reasoned conclusions
Build your argument by responding to your sources
Don’t give plot summary
Conclusion: 1 paragraph
End your analysis by restating your thesis
Don’t mechanically repeat the points made in the essay
Reflect on the relevance of the topic. This is a good place to give your argument a larger context and answer the so what? question.

Criteria of Evaluation

Essay has to include a creative title that reflects your interpretation of the text.
Format the paper according to MLA guidelines.
Don’t quote from Wikipedia, standard dictionaries, purchased/prewritten essays, nor literature summary websites such as Shmoop, SparkNotes, Cliff’s Notes, About.com, Infoplease, GraderSaver, or generic study guides, etc.
Avoid overusing the first and second persons point of view in order to maintain stronger objectivity. Maintain an academic tone.
Use the present tense to refer to events that happen during the time frame of the play.
Effective use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics produce clear ideas and ease in reading
Essay effectively presents a complex, innovative argument
Writer incorporates outside sources effectively in their argument
Writer uses the play to prove points
Writer provides relevant and enough examples
Writer effectively analyzes, comments, and descries the film in order to prove points