Paper #3 - Creative Essay
Background: We've responded to our reading in this class by "talking back" to an author
(Weiner), demonstrating careful reading and a viewpoint of our own on the author's
topic; and we've analyzed an author's work (Denny) by explaining how one part of a
story informs the whole story; and now it's time for us to respond to an author (Marguilies)
by employing our own creativity.
Assignment: Plan, write, and revise a 1,000 word essay (approximately 4 pages) on the following topic:
Write a paper that uses critical thinking (analysis) as its basis but creative thinking (entertainment) as its central purpose. In other words, engage your imagination, creativity, and intuition. The first priority for this paper is what John Trimble calls "artful presentation," which includes attractive formatting, interesting phrasing, and dramatic plotting (Chapter 10). Just like the author's you've read this quarter, your job is to 1) hook the reader's curiosity in a "problem" (something that causes tension or suspense in the reader) by engaging a theme explored in Marguilie's play, 2) develop aspects of the problem in your paper, and 3) resolve the problem. As Trimble says, "think more like an entertainer than just an idea-pusher." Feel free to explore the English language in a way that is deeper, more evocative, and more meaningful than you have before.
In a creative paper, how you say something is just as important as what you say. In fact, the two are inseparable. Take time and special care with your diction (Chapter 6) and be sure to use the MLA format correctly. The world of the creative paper is wide open. The only "rule" is to do what works--that is, what serves your reader best. Anything goes: so long as it informs and entertains your reader, keeps them turning your pages, seeking the enlightenment your words bring. Risk-taking will be rewarded. Dazzle us!
Write your paper for someone who is familiar with Donald Margulies' play, The Country House, but has not studied it to the extent you have. Your purpose is to help your reader come to a deeper appreciation of the play by any literary means necessary.
Peer Editing: Bring 4 typewritten copies of your finished paper to class on Tuesday, June 14. You will receive written and oral feedback from your classmates regarding strengths and weaknesses in your paper. This is not a "rough draft" or unfinished paper. As far as you are concerned, it is finished. That way, the feedback you receive will be actually useful and helpful, not obligatory and predictable. Who needs that?
Submission: Using relevant feedback from your classmates, revise once again. Upload your paper to our Turnitin.com account by 11:59pm Thursday, June 16.
Paper Format: Be sure to use the MLA paper format and citations method. If you haven't already, you might also find these short MLA format videos helpful.
Class ID#: 12545399
Password: paper4denny
125 points possible. A five-point late penalty will be imposed upon papers received after the deadline.