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Critical Essay ~ Independent Reading

EVERYONE has a paper due on Friday! You have until Thursday to read the book you've chosen and to develop an outline for the paper. Please consider all of the following:

First, the paper should be a critical analysis of the book, NOT a summary. Your paper MUST have a thesis -- a statement about your central point. You should focus either on a character's development, or on a central theme; some may choose to focus on the historical context of the book (note that this may require a source).
  1. As noted, your paper begins with a thesis statement. Your introduction should also include the title and author of the work discussed.
  2. Your body paragraphs (probably three) should support your thesis with details and examples from the story itself. Do not paraphrase. Quote and cite examples!
  3. Your conclusion should bring the paper to a graceful close. Restate the thesis and main points, but also refer to the larger purpose of the book (in your opinion) and relate it to our world. In other words, explain how it is (or is not?) relevant.
DO NOT under any circumstances "borrow" ideas from the Internet. Plagiarism, whether intentional or not, results in an F at the very least.

An outline of your paper, including your thesis, is due Thursday 12/13.

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Homework

Seniors Your exam is on Thursday, and your final essay is on Friday. I'll talk more about the essay in class tomorrow. Also, the senior auction project lacks one more important detail - your memories! We will spend a bit of time tomorrow in class writing down some of your fondest memories of your senior year, and the rest of your time at RO.  Sophomores Read "Lines Composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey," and complete the questions at the end of the selection in your book. As always, please use complete sentences and cite frequently from the text.