Critical Inquiry
Write a Critical Inquiry of one author from readings.
7 pages essay, but need 4 pages for now. should be ended by few body paragraphs.
Write down a topic : should explain about the topic in several sentences.
1. Robert Musil : Posthumous Papers of a Living Author (Book)
“The Blackbird”
“Flypaper”
“Monkey Island”
“Doors and Portals,” “Monuments”
2. Constance Hale
“The Sound of a Sentence”
“Sentences Crisp, Sassy, Stirring”
“Turning a Phrase”
“Make-or-break verbs”
Format Requirements for Paper 3
o MLA presentation of your name, course title, professor’s name and date.
o Paper title (using creative-critical model for Paper 1).
o Double spacing. Times New Roman size 12 font.
o Pages numbered at bottom right.
o Correct MLA in-text citation. Use A Little Seagull to double-check every in-text citation.
o Works Cited page with full and proper MLA details for texts used. Works Cited page does not count as one of the paper’s pages.
Content Requirements for Paper 3: Critical Inquiry Synthesis
Introduction
Introductory paragraph will open with a key quote. This is drawn from one of your primary authors (course readings) that immediately sets your topic in motion. It ought to be no more than two sentences. Contextualize: who is writing? what’s the title of the piece? what’s the context? Explicate: what is at issue in this statement?
This leads you into the topic for your paper. Spend time on setting out your topic clearly, and in sentences that show progress of thought.
Now get specific: the thesis constructed within your inquiry topic. Because you are writing synthesis paper, this thesis will differ somewhat from that which you would write for a four-page analysis paper. You are permitted to present a thesis that is not quite as tightly-wound as a thesis for a shorter paper. Nonetheless, your thesis must remain
o focused in its approach
o specific to topic and authors
o engaging, intellectually challenging, provocative, original
Body of Paper
Your thesis will be pursued through the paper. Each paragraph will serve to prove your thesis through a relevant main idea stated clearly in a topic sentence.
Each main idea will lead to a compellingly organized sequence: idea 1 leading to idea 2 leading to… with carefully placed transitions.
Within each paragraph: clearly articulated points, judicious choice of evidence (textual quotation, followed by in-text citation of author’s name and page number) to support points, followed by measured analysis of that evidence.
Each piece of evidence from text will be analyzed in terms its significance to your point. It is not good enough to leave the quotation hanging there; you must respond to it.
You will use transitions to create relationships between your main ideas. (See A Writer’s Reference for those useful transition terms.) Transitions will enhance fluidity and organization in your paper.
Synthesis Within Body of Paper
Because this is a synthesis paper (a paper that works with course authors and additional material provided by scholarly sources) you will make meaning and draw patterns across a range of texts.
You will investigate your inquiry topic with the assistance of scholarly material around that topic, but those sources will stay subordinate to your main authors.
This critical inquiry synthesis paper requires FOUR scholarly sources
These include scholarly articles and chapters from scholarly books.
You will study your sources closely, evaluating their contributions to your topic and aligning their contributions with your own argument on the topic.
You will
o take every opportunity afforded for analysis
o draw conclusions, make interpretations, engage in close reading
o respond in greatest depth to your course author
o respond in depth to your scholarly source material
o explain the significance of all textual selections
You must make clear reference to sources (titles/authors) when introducing supporting material. Use signal phrases: “According to…” (See Little Seagull for useful signal phrases.)
Refer to Little Seagull for the integration of sources. Be clear on when to paraphrase and when to quote directly. Follow both with in-text citation. Strive in your early drafts for meaningful and seamless integration of research material in support of your main ideas.
Grammar and Style
Return to any problems of grammar and style denoted in your previous paper. We have done a great deal of work on grammar and style in class, and now it is your turn to bring that training to bear on this paper. Taking responsibility for your grammar and style is a significant requirement for your critical inquiry work