For this essay, I am not going to give you a topic, but instead we will focus on using a variety of means for developing your own topic. Both academic and real world writing often varies between closed and open assignments, so here we will focus on the open.
As I had mentioned at the start of class, it’s important to try to use your reading journal to not only figure out what you think about the novel, but to begin isolating patterns or areas of interest in the text that you might wish to pursue in your essay. Between the journal and in-class discussions, you might consider this to be step 1 in the process.
So, step 2 is your conference. Before this conference, complete a sheet that includes the following:
· At least two sentences reproduced from your journal that links to something you might want to write about.
· A developed paragraph where you propose a topic for your essay. This paragraph should also include some sense of why you want to write about this (a motive in its early stages), why you think it would make for a compelling essay, and areas in the text you think your discussion will likely analyze.
· If you already have a sense of what your central claim or central question will be, include that too.
· If you are not sure yet, use this space to sketch out various possible interests and ideas you have.
We’ll discuss what you have produced. Please share this with me as a google doc in advance of your scheduled meeting.
Here’s a link to the signup sheet for conferences.
Step 3:
Meeting with (our Writing Associate): The following students are required to meet with at some stage of their process, preferably after they have started a draft:
Here is the sign up sheet for appointments with Ivy.
Or
Peer Review: I will provide separate instructions for those doing peer review: M, T, N, A, L, C, M, N and J. You will need to share a draft of your essay with your peer review partner and myself .You will then have 48 hours to provide feedback on that draft, shared with me and your partner
Other Factors:
Audience: Consider your classmates and myself to be your audience for this essay. We know the work you’re discussing, so your essay should not dwell on summarizing, but should draw in specific evidence in order to persuade us of the merits of your interpretation (and of course build your ethos).
Motive: as we have discussed in class, make it clear what is motivating your discussion and claims. (See our handouts on motives).
Focus: Bear in mind, that since this is still a relatively short essay, you need to focus your discussion accordingly. Consider, for instance, an essay that considers why one or two characters are not given the chance to marry by the novel’s end might work well, whereas an essay that seeks to compare all of the couples of the novel might be too unwieldy for this length essay.
Nuts and Bolts:
Your essay should be approximately 1250 words in length (going over that is fine), in Times New Roman Font and should follow MLA citation rules (consult the OWL, Purdue’s Online Writing Lab for rules on in-text citation).
Reading Journal/ Pride and Prejudice #1
The absolute truth of this novel is rich men need to marry and have children for one purpose. Give all the wealth to his kin. To start the story off, we know that Mrs. Bennet is so annoying and only wants one thing, and she believes it to be her goal to urge their daughters to get married. On the other hand, Mr. Bennet is the stereotypical white, rich male who drinks and spends money uncontrollably. If there were Lamborghinis and Ferraris in the world at that time, he would be the one to have like five in his driveway. He loves to drink and sarcastically makes fun of his wife, who can be a goof. Mrs. Bennet tries so hard to find male companionship for the daughters she picks out any and every rich man to see if they would be the right fit. In the beginning, she becomes fascinated with the fact that Mr. Bingley is very single, an excellent fit for husbands to their daughters, and most of all RICH, and, of course, Jane loves him. Of course, Jane loves him; lol she is the favorite golden child and the most optimistic out of the five. The others are different from each other, especially as the story progresses. Elizabeth is stubborn, very judgemental, and incredibly fake. Mary takes pride in her accomplishments but is overall plain. Kitty loves a military man and is naturally flirtatious, which can become a problem, especially for her father. Lydia is a typical teenage girl. She’s always bored and craves attention from others, but as any other teen very very horny. My problem with a big chunk of this book is that every male tries to “one-up” each other all the time and what’s funny is that it’s all about how much land somebody owes. That’s where the money goes.
Reading Journal/ Pride and Prejudice #2
This story gets heavier and heavier with each chapter. It feels as if they treat marriage as “next person up,” which is understandable back in those days but looking at it now shocks me. Like Mr. Collins realizes that Jane is engaged and will marry soon, so I guess it’s on to Elizabeth, which became a dead end for him as she rejects the proposal. Then, we find out about Collin’s selfishness by turning around marrying Lizzy’s friend Charlotte but in reality, is closer to Jane. I understand Charlotte’s thinking because it secures a home and future. Mr. Bingley breaks up with Jane, which becomes devastating. This book has so much going on, and for that time, it’s a lot. What really gets me is all the traveling done by the sisters and their families. It goes from rural England to London, then to Rosings Park. Rosings Park is just very sad for Jane. Anybody would be PISSED OFF if you found the person that broke up your marriage. It’s even worse if you know who the guy actually is. Mr. Darcy did the wrong thing at the wrong time and brags about it, which is a stupid idea and could ruin any chance. Point proved when Elizabeth rejects his love instantly. I just feel like it’s too much of a back-and-forth situation for the girls as well as becoming heartbroken only to find the same thing happen each time. This family is in shambles, and honestly, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have no idea how to fix the problems their daughters are running into.
Reading Journal/ Pride and Prejudice #3
The conclusion of Pride and Prejudice could’ve been seen from a mile away. Three of the daughters are getting married with relief from Mr. Bennet and joyfulness from Mrs. Bennet because they both come to terms with their one parental job being complete. But, I will say I did not like how Elizabeth’s story ended. It was great when Mr. Darcy apologized for breaking up Jane and Mr. Bingley’s arrangement, but his reason was interesting and old English-esk. The primary purpose was Jane’s attitude and behavior, which indeed did make sense, but what I thought to be funny was that Elizabeth flipped a switch when he explained how some of the family didn’t own enough property. It’s like THAT was the last straw for her. At least she finds out Mr. Darcy is actually a very generous man but gets enraged by her family once again when Wickham and Lydia run off together. She knows her family needs her, which puts her in doubt about whether or not she’ll see him again. I thought it was great that Elizabeth found out Darcy was at the Wickham wedding because she knows how to get to him. It was so cute that Mr. Darcy secured the match and that the motive was they were in love with each other. The best part about the ending was that Jane was re-proposed to Mr. Bingley and she accepted again. Both couples get married not just for inheritance or land but for love. Now I can see why this work didn’t become known until later because of the ending in my opinion. Back in the day, I feel as if the motive of “love” wasn’t really clear to the people of that time. I mean of course, as one’s marriage went on they found that sense but at the time of engagement, it was all about the money and land.
