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Paper Instructions:

Prompt: In a well-developed essay drawing specifically and exclusively from the text of the plays in the first pairing, analyze a theme connecting A Raisin in the Sun and Clybourne Park.The response requires a thesis that presents a claim about a significant theme shared by both plays and body paragraphs that explore how the elements of characterization (how the playwright has developed the emotional, behavioral, and psychological nature of the character through action and dialogue) and plot (conflicts within and between characters that drives the action of the play)work to express this theme.A strong essay will synthesize evidence in the body paragraphs; this means that most body paragraphs present a main point and uses evidence from multiple plays to support the idea. This is preferable to essays where the majority of body paragraphs ONLY focus on one play at a time. Include a conclusion that attempts to explain why this interpretation of the element is important for readers to understand, what lessons can be learned from the way the theme is handled by the playwrights, and how the theme speaks to the universal human condition.Thesis Examples:•A significant theme in both plays is the negative consequences in a marriage when spouses do not meet one another’s needs.•One of the most prominent themes in these two plays revolves around community and the often in authenticity in community relationships.•Both plays have climactic scenes that involve both overt and subtle racially motivated conflicts,suggesting a significant theme of the complex legacy surrounding the shif from a segregated to integrated society.Requirements:•Length Requirement:1200-1800 words(4-6 pages, typed, double-spaced).The Works Cited page does not count toward the word count.  Grade deductions should be expected for essays that are significantly shorter than the required word count. Also note that the grading criteria prioritizes depth and complexity of the argument, which typically requires the presentation of more main points, examples, and analysis than is usually associated with the lower end of the page range. Therefore, students striving to earn the highest grade should work toward the depth and complexity that a longer paper, on the upper end of the page range, is more capable of offering. Quantity does not necessarily mean quality, but substantial depth of analysis of two plays is difficult to achieve in four pages or less. 
•Essays that only summarize the plot and characters without presenting an argument about the interpretation will not earn a passing grade. Essays will be graded according to the 8 categories listed in the English department LIT criteria (prompt/interpretive argument, comprehension,complexity, organization, evidence/support, written Standard English, MLA style/formatting, MLA citation). This is strictly between you and the text of the play. This is about your ability to make meaning from the play and not about synthesizing scholarly sources who have made their own analyses. Papers incorporating outside sources, even if properly cited, may be penalized or fail to earn a passing grade depending on the amount of borrowed material. Final drafts submitted to Turnitin.•MLA Style and Citation: All papers must conform to current standards for MLA format:oStyle: double spaced; Times New Roman 12 point font; centered title that reflects the content of the essay (i.e not Paper 1) on fifth line using title case and does not bold; underline; or enlarge the title; last name and page number in upper right hand corner –plain text format only; identifying information on first four lines left aligned (your name, my name, course, date); one inch margins on all sides(be sure to check –many programs default to 1.25 inch margins). It should look like this: Sample Paper. Need help formatting according to these guidelines? Have Word? Click here for a Word tutorial. Using a Mac? Click here for a Pages tutorial.oCitation: All quotes or paraphrases must be cited in-text using the parenthetical system according to MLA guidelines. Note -Dialogue between characters should be formatted according to MLA guidelines found at this link. A Works Cited page with a properly formatted entry for the play must be placed on its own page placed last and numbered chronologically. See this linkfor help formatting your entry(Play as a Book).