Briefs

Reading literature is an act of attention. One of the ways we can exercise that attention is by writing regularly in response to the texts we are reading. In order to write meaningful about a literary text, attention must be paid to the text itself. Therefore, throughout the course, you will write four (4) of six "briefs"--short formal papers--responding succinctly to a prompt about a specific Evolving Canon 1 text we are studying.

The prompt for the six briefs appear as links on the course syllabus. Each prompt opens as a separate window on your browser. During the course you are to select four briefs of your own choice and interest to write. At the end of the semester, I will drop the lowest grade of your four briefs to calculate this portion of your class grade. The due dates for the briefs are as follows:

A successful brief begins with a sharply focused thesis statement and provide evidence from the text (both direct and indirect quotations) to support the thesis. Harmon and Holman's A Handbook to Literature may be an important resource as you analyze the brief prompt and draft your response. The literature web sites on the Resource page of our Evolving Canon 1 web site may also prove to be a valuable resource. Otherwise, writing a successful brief requires no outside research or secondary sources. Although shorter and more narrowly focused than a formal analytical paper for a literature class, if you have not written about literature (before or recently), the "Tips for Writing a Literary Analysis Paper" may be of help.

Briefs are strictly limited to two double-spaced academic pages. Although briefs are short, they are formal writings and should follow the conventions of an academic paper for English. Briefs are due at the start of class on their due date. No brief can be written after its due date has passed.