Cross-Genre Analysis

Now that you’ve studied a variety of literary genres, it’s time to write a critical analysis about them. Think about the short stories, essays, poems, dramas, and the novel we have read or will read this semester and search for similarities in their characters, themes, writing styles, and so on. After looking for similar literary elements in this semester’s works, write an analysis of a common element appearing in at least three works from different genres. Be sure to select at least one drama (Oedipus the King, Hamlet, or A Raisin in the Sun); the other two works** you select must be from different genres. Possible combinations include: drama+short story+poem, drama+short story+novel, or drama+poem+novel.

For example, if you noticed the theme of obsession with the dead occurring in many works throughout the semester, you might write about “Porphyria’s Lover,” “A Rose for Emily,” and Hamlet.

**Note: You may use a work you’ve already written about, but you must generate new material for this paper.

Sources

You’ll use at least three primary sources from the textbook, which means you’ll absolutely have to use direct quotations from the text to support your body paragraphs. This paper requires two (2) secondary sources; to locate secondary sources, please use the literary databases accessible through Columbia State’s library databases. (This link opens in a new browser window.) Study guide websites (Sparknotes, ClassicNotes, Shmoop, et al.) CANNOT be used as sources. Document all sources accordingly. Attach a works cited page that includes primary sources and any secondary sources you used.

Formatting

Use standard MLA formatting (12 pt, Times New Roman/Calibri, double spaced with one inch margins). Write in complete sentences and construct well-structured paragraphs complete with transitional words and phrases. Lengthwise, you should end up with a 1000 word essay plus a works cited page.

In-Text Citation Information for Poetry and Drama

When referencing three lines of poetry or less, the lines are separated by a slash (/) and cited with the line numbers like this: “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun / coral is far more red than her lips’ red” (1-2). If you reference more than three lines, you’ll need to create a block quote by indenting the lines 1” and citing the line numbers. You’re strongly encouraged to avoid block quotations.

In classic dramas like those by Shakespeare, individual character’s lines are separated within your text by a slash (/): “For this relief much thanks. ‘Tis bitter cold, / And I am sick at heart.” (1.1.8-9). DO NOT use page numbers to reference quotations. Instead, cite by using the title of the play, the act, scene, and line numbers. Example: (1.1.8-9) is the in-text citation which refers to Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 8-9 of Hamlet.

If you’re quoting actual dialogue, you must set your text off like you would a block quotation (indent 1”):

OEDIPUS. Ah, what net has God been weaving for me?

IOCASTÊ. Oedipus! What does this trouble you?

OEDIPUS. Do not ask me yet. First, tell me how Laïos looked, and tell me how old he was.

IOCASTÊ. He was tall, his hair just touched with white; his form was not unlike your own.

OEDIPUS. I thinkthat I myself may be accursed by my own ignorant edict. (Oedipus 2.2.211-216)

In modern dramas that lack line numbers, cite the page number but reference the act and scene in a signal phrase.