Overview

The Close-analysis Essay will demonstrate some of the critical thinking skills you’re beginning to develop in this course. Also, this paper will prepare you for work you’ll do later in the term.

For this paper, look closely at a single passage from the same creative non-fiction article from Narrative Magazine or Cezanne’s Carrot that you chose for your Creative Non Fiction Discussion in Module 1.

You don’t need to do any outside research for this essay. Depth and clarity is more important here than breadth or comprehensiveness. I find the shorter the passage you choose, the more careful your analysis will be.

Instructions
•Examine word choice. Is the vocabulary effective? Why or why not?
•What is interesting about the passage?
•What are the details included? Why are they included?
•What is missing? What do you want to know more about?
•Is the passage formal or informal? Explain why.
•Draw conclusions
•Write up observations
•Find textual evidence
•Write a thesis statement which supports your conclusions
•Write your Close Analysis Essay using your details, your conclusions, your observations, and your evidence.
•Write your thesis statement about your observations
•Write your essay!

Advice

Leave no stones unturned. Ask questions. Answer questions. Consider the various definitions of words. Go out on a limb. Have fun. Choose a passage and write until you feel like you’ve said all there is to be said about it.

Requirements
•500 words or more
•Use MLA formatting for your paper. (Headings, page number, etc)
•Submit your essay to the Dropbox here as an attachment in .doc or .docx or .rtf format.

Learning Objectives

In this assignment, you will:
3.Create citations
4.Write a close analysis essay