Your primary goal is to compare and/or contrast the two selected stories in regards to researching the underlying meaning(s) both exemplify with a chosen critical lens or lenses and theme based on the history you research. In other words, what do the two stories have in common, and how can you support the purpose each story exemplifies with specific lenses?
Here are the guidelines and formatting of the paper.
II. Format:
1. Proper Heading: Title Page (see Rules for Writers for sample). This title page does not count toward your 6 pages.
2. Proper Title: Be creative in your title
3. Name and page number in upper right hand corner
4. Length: 6 pages/Double-Spaced/Font 12/Times New Roman. This does not include the Title page or the Works Cited page.
Structure:
Introduction and thesis statement.
* Author biography–however do not add what awards or other works the writer has submitted–stick to using about a 1/2 page of information about your author psychological, culturally, and/or historically.
• List your paper by examining one story, citing from the text support of your thesis with quote references, and then 1-2 Database articles in support of your thesis. Then you can move on to the next story. This is a very clear and organized way to fashion your paper if you wish. It is as if you are writing two mini Literary Reflections.
* MLA Parenthetical References/In-Text Citations/Works Cited Page
Research:
1. Six or More Database Sources: That means you need at least 6 scholarly articles (secondary resources) from critics that speak about the stories you have selected on various levels.
• Remember when you are researching, you do not have to find an exact reference to the thesis you are posing or even to the story you are using and its possible meaning. Of course if you do find this, then great, but the reason for my mention of this is that you can find a source that somewhat relates to your thesis and stories and you can work that it in through the use of a lens.
Authors: Shirley Jackson / Ursula K. LeGuin
2. Selections Read: “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
3. Topics: Historical Context:
1960s & 1970s were a time of enormous political, social, and cultural upheaval in the United States: Vietnam War, Kent State University, Counterculture,” Sexual Revolution, Woodstock, “Great Society,” Civil Rights Movement, Housing and Urban Development Act, Medicare Bill, Higher Education Act, Feminist Movement, and a great leap in the Scientific and Technological Development
This is my thesis statement: The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Ones Who Walked Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. LeGuin, are two stories that show the sacrifices towns people will make for the good of the community.
