English
120 Project #3:
Up to You, Bone
Maximum points possible: 30
Length: 4-6 pages
Manuscript format: MLA, or as appropriate for audience
For help with MLA documentation, CLICK
HERE.
For help with MLAmanuscript
format, CLICK
HERE.
For help with special conventions in literary analysis, CLICK HERE.
Be sure to read relevant CTW chapters on commentary and other subjects.
Draft #1 due: April 15th (2 hardcopies in class)
Draft #2 due: at time of scheduled conference
Finished product due: in class, May 6th (hardcopy, with peer critiques and draft that includes instructor comments, all stapled or firmly clipped)
NOTE!!!!!!
NO GRACE PERIODFOR THIS ESSAY.
LATE PIECES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED WITH
DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF SERIOUS HARDSHIP.
Because works of art are generally rich with both explicit and implied meanings, and because those meanings can be multiple and complex, interpretations of a given work can vary among viewers or readers. This doesn't mean that all interpretations are equally valid, or that any interpretative argument at all is meaningful. Like any argument, interpretation needs support and is open to challenge. A thoughtful writer will pay close attention to the work in question, will avoid merely speculating about the author's purpose, and will base his or her claims on specific evidence, often in the work itself.
Keep in mind that we are not talking about art reviews here. A review is an argument of evaluation (it argues that something is good or bad, worthy or unworthy). What you want here is an argument of interpretation. That is, you're not judging the book; you're examining its meanings from your own unique point of view and helping your reader to appreciate and understand it better.
Each of the options below involve interpretive argument in some way, large or small, but each is also distinct and asks you to explore yet another genre of writing.
Choose ONE of these options for your project's focus.
1: The Literary Analysis
2:
The Professional Letter
3: The Art Review (revisited)
4: The Newspaper or Magazine Feature Article
Evaluation Criteria for All Options
Your essay should be adequately researched, if necessary. It should have a strong central point (thesis) about your selected issue, apparent early on and throughout. That point should be supported in the body of the essay with explicit claims and ample grounds, including good, specific details from the novel and meaningful analysis of the issue in question. Take care to also acknowledge—and refute—opposing views. The paper should show a discernible structure, attention to audience, coherence between parts, and extra-conscientious editing for mechanical errors and stylistic flaws. All sources should be documented according to MLA format, or as appropriate for audience (while keeping as close to MLA format as you can). Finally, you should clearly show that you understand what it means to interpret a subject, and that you can write an interpretive argument or commentary.
Option 1: Literary Analysis
Instructions and PurposeFor this project you will analyze and build your own interpretation of a contemporary literary work, Rule of the Bone. As with any commentary, your goal is to illuminate your subject for your readers. That is, you want to
1) identify patterns of meaning in the book;
2) argue for your unique understanding of the work's primary statement, effect, or theme ; and
3) help the reader better appreciate/understand the book and get more out of it.
A good way to focus any interpretation of literature is to build your argument around your view of the work's main theme or themes. That is, what, in the largest sense, is Rule of the Bone about? Teen rebellion and nonconformity? American subcultures? Parent-child relationships? Coming-of-age in America in the 90s? Father figures? The meaning of "community"? The meaning of "education"? The meaning of religion? What view of economic class or gender emerges in the book? What primary effect on its readers does the book ultimately seem to have? For your interpretation of the novel, you might pick one of these topics/themes/issues and analyze how it plays out in the course of the story. In other words, consider what questions are raised in the book about your chosen theme, and then consider how those questions seem to be answered by the end or by the story as a whole. .
You're free to focus on any facet of the work which you consider interesting or important, and you're free to interpret the story any way you wish, as long as you carefully support your claims with clear reasoning and specific evidence—description, examples, summaries, scenes—from the book itself. COME UP WITH YOUR OWN IDEA--DON'T JUST COPY SOMEONE ELSE'S. A big part of this project is THINKING FOR YOURSELF. Finally, don't forget to acknowledge, and refute, contrasting views.
AudienceImagine that your essay will appear in a casebook on Rule of the Bone designed for college students, just like yourself. (A casebook is a collection of essays interpreting and commenting on a literary work to broaden readers' understanding.)
Format
A literary analysis should be written as a standard essay with a Works Cited page. For standard essay manuscript conventions, CLICK HERE.
Another approach to Rule of the Bone is to consider its appropriateness as literary material for high school and/or college students. College students, for instance, sometimes love the book, but some will occasionally take offense at its language or subject matter.
Many battles have been waged in American schools over what constitutes "educational" and "appropriate" reading matter, and over censorship issues generally. A number of books have been banned from the classroom or from school libraries through the years, to loud and sometimes legal protest. Who should have the final say about reading material in the schools? Parents? Teachers? Administrators? The students themselves? What is "literature" and what, in your view, constitutes worthy reading material for a high school or college course in the humanities? How does Rule of the Bone fit, or not fit, your criteria?
Instructions and PurposeFor this option you will argue for or against use of this book in the schools by writing a formal letter to someone in a position to influence that decision. Your purpose is to convince a hypothetical, undecided or opposed administrator, teacher, parent, or community that your position on the issue is the best one. Be sure to ground your argument in a clear central claim about the goal and purpose of education, and/or the goal and purpose of the literary arts. Be sure as well to do a bit of background research into censorship issues in education, to be sure you are adequately informed about your topic. And don't forget to acknowledge (and refute) opposing views. Note: you will need to do some research on censorship, book banning, and standards/procedures for textbook selection in the public schools to do a good job on this essay. You may also need to investigate definitions of "pornography."
AudienceYour audience for this option can be your hometown community, a teacher in your high school, administrators in the North Dakota or Minnesota university systems, etc. Write this as a real letter that you could conceivably send.
Format
A formal letter should include, at the top: the date, your own name and address, and the name and address of the person you are writing to. Microsoft Word has a number of letter templates which you can choose from, or you can create your own. This is a formal letter, so you don't want anything frilly, cartoonish, or humorous. Most letters are double-spaced.
It would be a good idea to investigate on your own how letters are put together and formatted.
Option 3: Art Review
(revisited)
Instructions, Purpose, Audience
Yet another idea is to actually review this novel. That is, you'll continue practicing the reviewing skills you learned in Project #2 of this semester. As with any review, your purpose is to convince an undecided or opposed reader that your evaluation of the work is valid, and to persuade that audience to read (or not read) the book. You'll need to 1) provide a clear thesis—a statement of judgement about your subject; 2) make very clear your criteria for a "good book" or "good literature"; 3) clearly and logically apply those criteria to Rule of the Bone; 4) consider other reviews of the same book; 5) justify your criteria; 6) pay attention to the needs of your audience.
Review all of your notes and class materials on reviews from Project #2.
Option 4: High Plains Reader Feature Article on Tattoos (Or: The Lights
of I-Self)
I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam. —Popeye
I am I am I;
All of creation shivers
With that sweet cry. —W.B.Yeats
Background: Just Food for Thought
Reread pages 105-106 of Rule of the Bone, in which Chappie picks out a tattoo. Though more or less mainstream these days, "body art" still seems to make a special impression. Consumer and fashion decisions, of course, say something about what we value, about how we view ourselves and hope to be viewed by others. But a tattoo, as a relatively permanent decision, a symbol branded onto one's very body, obviously requires extra care. And therefore the statement it makes about the bearer's identity is especially emphatic. As Chappie himself remarks, ". . .a tattoo is like a flag for a single individual" (106). Notice, for instance, what Chappie's own tattoo reveals about his identity—about his priorities, desires, needs, and essential problems—and even about the sources of his identity, including key people in his life. If you were to get a tattoo, what flag, what Symbol For You would you choose, and why? Or, if you have one already, why did you select the one you did? What key experiences or individuals (mentors) influenced your personal values and sense of self?
Instructions, Purpose, Audience
For this last option, you will write an article for the High Plains Reader shedding light on the cultural phenomena of tattoos. This is a very open option, so you should focus and shape it in consultation with your instructor. It's a good idea, for instance, to discuss your focus and thesis with her before turning in your first draft.
It's very important to understand your audience for this assignment. HPR is generally considered to be Fargo/Moorhead's "alternative" paper, and tends to be very liberal. It covers many local events, reviews films and concerts, and often includes a feature article on a trending issue.
Consider each of the following:
1) Develop a thesis about the interpretation of tattoos, about tattoos as an ancient or a contemporary art, or about tattoos as symbols of self—some interesting central point of interest to the Fargo/Moorhead general community (or whoever you audience will be), and one that helps bring all the elements of your article together
2) Provide some background on tattoos, as needed and as appropriate for your thesis and rhetorical stance: where did they originate, what have they meant in other societies or cultures; what is their status in present day America?
3) If possible and appropriate, integrate Rule of the Bone into your discussion, interpret Chappie's tattoo and the way he goes about selecting it. Explain in detail what it reveals about a) his values and where his values came from; b) his view of himself, his place in the world, and how wishes to be viewed by others; and c) his character and personality. If you're writing for a local periodical, it would be appropriate to mention our class and the fact that you read this novel recently as an assignment (if you like).
4) Interpret your own tattoo (or the tattoo you would get, if you should ever decided to do so). Explain in detail what it reveals about a) your values and where your values came from; b) your view of yourelf, your place in the world, and how you wish to be viewed by others; and c) your character and personality.
5) For both #3 and #4 above, avoid discussing mere personality alone. Try to get at something deeper: identity and the roots of identity. Be sure also to examine the SPECIFIC sources of, and influences on, your personal system of values: childhood events, specific people, stories, etc.
Your purpose is to help people in Fargo/Moorhead better understand the cultural and social meanings of tattoos and body art. Your purpose may also including helping the reader understand how your own identity has shaped or been shaped by your choice of tattoo.
COME UP WITH YOUR OWN IDEA--DON'T JUST COPY SOMEONE ELSE'S. A big part of this project is THINKING FOR YOURSELF.
It finish areddi! Check mi later: Cindy.Nichols@ndsu.nodak.edu