These may be short obective type quizzes to check on how carefully you have read the assigned readings or they may be essays. The essays may do one or more of the following:
1. Ask you to ANALYZE key terms, characters, or passages found in the text, handouts or presented in lecture.
2. Write a short discussion or summary in which you attempt to synthesize themes.
3. Responses or replies to comments that we or other members of the class have made. Or tackle the questions posted on each of the works.
What am we looking for? Well, for one thing, that they be thoughtful. A paper scribbled down thirty minutes before it is due usually looks like a hastily done paper. Therefore, please take some time to think about what you are going to write. We will look for original, interesting, and insightful ideas (in addition to evidence that you have actually read the book!) - not just plot summaries; this is a case when you can assume that the audience (Eve and Bob) have read the work. Of course interesting ideas ought to be defensible not just bizarre; that is, if you are interpreting a character or event, your interpretation should be compatible with the text. Quotations from the text are appropriate though they should not be overly long (in most cases), and they should not be used just to pad the paper. The questions (or a quote from the work) can be used as a focus for your paper, but if other questions or points in the novels suggest ideas to you then, by all means, use them. You can draw upon your own experiences, but they should be related to a theme in the text. It may be that the class discussion will raise points upon which you wish to comment. Don't hesitate to take issue with anything said in class, by me or anyone else. Remember I must judge the papers on the ideas as they are expressed, not as they are contemplated. Therefore, turn in a paper which is neat and written in a clear and coherent way. It would be a good idea to have someone read your paper before it is submitted.