About the play Oedipus Rex

About the play Oedipus Rex Order Description FIRST SHORT ANALYTIC PAPER Overview: For this paper, choose one of the questions you�ve written down over the course of this unit. It can be your own question, or a question that I or a classmate posed that you found intriguing. Try to find a question that actually engages your curiosity. If it�s not a complex question, tweak it into a complex question. If the question has a yes or no answer, or if the plot or language of the text directly provides the answer at any point, it�s not complex. You might tweak it by asking, instead, �what is the effect of [this thing I notice]? What might [author] be trying to achieve with [this thing I notice]?� Remember, literature is for us. How is [this thing you notice] affecting your understanding of the text�s goals, themes, blind spots, or obsessions? Once you�ve chosen your question, start looking for an answer in the text. (If you already think you know the answer, you should probably pick another question, or complicate the question.) Go through the text and mark lines, words, and passages that speak to the idea you�re exploring. See what patterns emerge that can help you begin to answer your question. At this point, you are gathering your clues: your EVIDENCE. Your THESIS STATEMENT (the main argument of the paper, introduced in the first paragraph and defended in all the other paragraphs, with the help of the specific textual evidence you�ve gathered) will be the most heavily graded component of this first paper (25% of your grade). Your thesis statement is a stab at an answer to the good question you�ve chosen. Remember, there are two broad categories of questions. Figure out what kind of person you are�what type of question most engages you�and tackle the paper with your personal strengths. Watch out for the pitfalls, too! Big-Picture Questions: may concern the relationship of the text to the world may seek to complicate (or reinforce) the reader�s prior assumptions may emerge from the reader�s personal interests or values may apply an external philosophical or theoretical idea to the text COMMON PITFALLS of Big-Picture Papers vagueness / imprecision; arrogance; didacticism; lack of respect for text / attentiveness to text IF YOU�RE A BIG PICTURE PERSON, be sure to quote the text frequently and engage thoughtfully with each quote; embrace nuance treat the text as an artifact that can surprise you; work towards surprise be as specific as possible; ground your points in the text�s precise language Precision Questions: may arise from pattern-recognition: awareness of repetitions and structure in the text may concern the text�s internal mechanics and the author�s formal choices (craft) may emerge from the reader�s curiosity and open mind may apply a semi-scientific process of experimentation and observation to learn about the text COMMON PITFALLS of Precision Papers summary; timidity; observation without analysis; lack of interest in the text�s relationship with the world IF YOU�RE A PRECISION PERSON, be sure to analyze your evidence carefully; compilation is only part of the process consider the applications of your analysis. Why does it matter? zoom out; consider context and consequences; think about �why� and �effects� Logistics: 2-3 pages; 12-pt. Times New Roman or Garamond; one-inch margins; MLA in-text citations, including line numbers for poems or plays. Ask in class, email me, or come into my office hours if you have questions or want direct feedback on your paper in the early stages. We�ll have a thesis statement workshop during the week your paper is due, so be sure to develop your ideas well in advance of the deadline (Friday, September 23, 5PM). Good luck!