Passage Analysis Assignment:
Choose a prose passage from one of our course readings.
In 3-4 pages, articulate the relationship between the possible meanings of the passage and the words, images, and smaller units that make up the passage.
Offer an argument/thesis about the meaning and function of the passage.
Questions to Ask:
- What is the passage about?
- What type of figurative language does it use and repeat?
- What are the patterns of sound?
- What is the structure of the passage?
- What is the tone?
- What are the major themes?
- How do your observations about the form influence your understanding of the content and vice versa?
- For more specific questions, refer to the close-reading worksheet from class.
Focus Points -
- Thesis: Provide an argumentative, specific thesis statement. This statement should take the form of an assertion about the meaning and function of the passage. Be sure to narrow your scope and choose one major conflict or theme that the text expresses.
- Analysis of form: A close-reading requires that you break down the parts of the passage to show how they express a central conflict or theme. This means you need to re-quote words and lines, juxtapose sounds and images, etc., to show how the passage works.
- Parts to Whole Analysis: In part, this has to do with your thesis. Your paper needs to consider, both within the thesis and the body paragraphs, how your observations and analysis of the form relate to your understanding of the passage as a whole. Now that you have dissected the parts, this is where you offer interpretative statements.
- Organization: You have offered a well-shaped introduction, cohesive body paragraphs with topic sentences, a conclusion that provides an endnote, and topic sentences.
Attachment:- Supporting files.rar