Frankenstein Paper Topic Choices 2018
- Mary Shelley subtitles Frankenstein "The Modern Prometheus." Analyze the importance of the relationship between the novel and the story of Prometheus. (Use valid, external sources if necessary and provide a MLA format works-cited list if you do so.)
- What do the actions and ideas of the feminine character(s) in the novel demonstrate?
- Analyze how Shelley uses nature imagery/symbolism to affect a particular theme (power, isolation, etc.) in the novel.
- Analyze how and why the actions of Victor Frankenstein and his creatureprovide a foil for each other.
- Analyze what Shelley’s novel says about a parent’s/creator’s duty to their progeny.
- Analyze the significance effect(s) of a minor character on the plot and the author’s purpose.
- Discuss the significance of Shelley’s use of gothic elements in the text.
- Discuss Shelley’s use of letters in the novel.
- Select another topic and have it approved by Mrs. Matheny.
Type a formal, double-space, 800-1000 word response to a prompt:
- Graded with the Humanities Writing Rubric
- Use fluently-integrated quotes from Frankenstein as evidence to support your thesis statement
- Use a boring 12pt. font (TNR, Arial or Georgia)
- Cite page numbers after each quote ;MLA-formal Works Cited list including the citation for the edition of Frankenstein you used to write the paper and any other sources you used.
Writing Objectives for this Formal Literary Analysis Essay: Practice …
- Leading with a unique, scintillating thesis. Establish your argument at the beginning of your entry. Most of these entries are short enough that they do not need a fully developed intro and conclusion paragraph, so establish your thesis in the first couple sentences.
- Choosing and integrating specific evidence:
- Keep context for evidence relevant (i.e. don’t explain an entire act/chapter; explain what is relevant to your analysis).
- Use quotes in context—don’t hack them up or just use part of a sentence (especially with Shakespeare).
- Creating unique analysis: Not just plot summary, or explanation, but analysis backed up with specific support, including quotes, from the text.
- Fully explain your analysis. If you say something is ironic, explain why.
- Always good to look for: allusions, contrasts (foils [a character who exists to provide contrast to another character], juxtapositions, etc.), imagery, irony, motif repetition [images and structures, like hallucinations in Macbeth, which recur to help develop the text’s major themes], symbols, and themes.
- Writing with clarity and brevity. Do not assume that just because it makes sense to you it makes sense to everyone else. Clearly show what you’re saying and why you’re saying it. End with a resolution sentence that restates and adds a shade of meaning to your thesis.
Thursday, 2/15 / Paper prompt assignment and multi-paragraph essay writing advice
Friday, 2/16 / Work day for evidence selection and initial thesis drafting
February Break / No homework.
Monday, 2/26 / Peer-edit initial thesis statements; begin to draft your outline
Tuesday, 2/27 / Large and Small Lab: Outline-drafting day
Wednesday, 2/28 / Large and Small Lab: Peer-edit outlines
Thursday, 3/1 / Large and Small Lab: Draft-drafting day
Friday, 3/2 / Large and Small Lab: Peer-edit drafts—last class work day for the paper
Wednesday, 3/7 / Your final draft of your essay is due at 10AM to turnitin.com.
Name:______
Frankenstein Essay Thesis Refinement Sheet
The purpose of this sheet is to keep track of the development of your thesis. You will improve your thesis at each stage.
#1 My writing prompt/topic is (write the whole prompt here): ______
#2 & Initial Evidence: (due Mon, 2/26)Several pieces of supportive evidence (quotes!) and maybe some analysis of those quotes for my refined thesis:
Preliminary Thesis (due Mon, 2/26)Strong_____Almost There_____Needs Work ______Really Needs Work _____
#3 Refined Preliminary Thesis: (due Tuesday, 2/27)
Strong_____Almost There_____Needs Work ______Really Needs Work ______