literary studies papers
Write a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 750 words according to MLA guidelines for literary studies papers. Include a Work Cited page, but do not include a cover page. No secondary sources are required or expected. Only one entry (your primary source) shall be listed on your Work Cited page.
topic
Topics Choose one of the following topics for your thesis:
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck, Dorax seems quite different than the other sheep dogs on the ranch. What makes him different and how does this difference define his character? Does this symbolize anything?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive Huck uses many tropes such as symbols, similes, metaphors, and irony. Choose one of these tropes and evaluate her use of this trope. Does this trope work well or does her trope need improvement? For example, Dorax is blamed for killing sheep, but he is protecting sheep and the ranchers. What does this situational irony mean?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” how does Olive Huck capture the local color of Texas in the early twentieth century? What does this mean for the story?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive Huck captures the ranching life of Texas. How can this story help urban readers understand nature, Texas ranching, or ranching life?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck, Dorax meets a tragic end. How does his death represent the conflict between industry, symbolized by the rancher’s firearm, and nature, symbolized by Dorax himself?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck presents a domesticated dog who “consorts” with a wolf pack and seemingly leads them to the sheep but turns to defend the sheep once the pack begins the hunt. What does this mean?
This short story was published in March 1901 by The Century Magazine. This is a copy of the original magazine.
Olive Huck was a Texas woman and author of several short stories about Texas.
LiteraryStudies Writing Assignment
English 1302
Using research skills, interpretive modes, and writing styles appropriate for literary studies, you
can evaluate textual evidence and interpret ideas relative to a topic in order to educate the
reader, urge the reader to consider your perspectives, participate in dialogue about literature,
and ultimately contribute to the body of knowledge.
Objectives
• Identify literary elements
• Analyze and interpret literature
• Communicate literary interpretations through writing
Directions
1. Complete lessons 10–13 in eCampus
2. Complete a rough draft
3. Complete the Peer Review Assignment
4. Complete revisions with the help of the Writing Center, tutors, and editors
5. Submit your final digital copy to eCampus
Format
Write a minimum of 500 words and a maximum of 750 words according to MLA guidelines for
literary studies papers. Include a Work Cited page, but do not include a cover page. No
secondary sources are required or expected. Only one entry (your primary source) shall be
listed on your Work Cited page.
Final Submission and Extra-credit
1. If you worked with the Writing Center and wish to receive extra-credit, attach a
photograph of your Writing Center stamp or OWL report at the end of your digital copy.
2. Click the Submit Compositions button, click the submission link, and upload your digital
copy before the deadline.
Penalties or Rejection
• Plagiarized text
• Does not address the topic and/or objectives of the assignment
• Provides no textual evidence or documentation
• Late or missing submission
• Incorrectly formatted
Topics
Choose one of the following topics for your thesis:
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck, Dorax seems quite different than the
other sheep dogs on the ranch. What makes him different and how does this difference define
his character? Does this symbolize anything?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive Huck uses many tropes such as symbols,
similes, metaphors, and irony. Choose one of these tropes and evaluate her use of this trope.
Does this trope work well or does her trope need improvement? For example, Dorax is blamed
for killing sheep, but he is protecting sheep and the ranchers. What does this situational irony
mean?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” how does Olive Huck capture the local color of
Texas in the early twentieth century? What does this mean for the story?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive Huck captures the ranching life of Texas. How
can this story help urban readers understand nature, Texas ranching, or ranching life?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck, Dorax meets a tragic end. How does
his death represent the conflict between industry, symbolized by the rancher’s firearm, and
nature, symbolized by Dorax himself?
In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck presents a domesticated dog who
“consorts” with a wolf pack and seemingly leads them to the sheep but turns to defend the
sheep once the pack begins the hunt. What does this mean?
NLC English Department Literary Studies Paper Rubric
CRITERIA
Excellent
(18-20 points)
Proficient
(16-17 points)
Satisfactory
(14-15 points)
Unsatisfactory
( 12-13 points)
Deficient
(0-12 points)
Thesis
Engaging opening
that introduces
the paper’s topic,
a problem,
research question,
purpose, and
method for
writing; the thesis
is an easily
identifiable, well-
phrased argument
that assesses
literature and
addresses a
specific idea to be
explored and
argued; the thesis
reflects sound
critical,
interpretive, and
analytical thinking;
title and author of
work are
appropriately
identified.
Generally engaging
opening; areas to
be strengthened
may include
presentation of
general topic,
development of
transition between
general opening
and specific thesis
statement; thesis
statement is
phrased as an
argument but may
be strengthened
through
clarification of the
main idea being
offered and
purpose.
Opening is
functional but too
brief and/or
simplistic; topic is
apparent but needs
to be developed to
engage the reader;
weak sense of
purpose and claim;
paragraph topics are
vague or
disconnected from
the thesis; thesis
may be too general,
vague, or
imprecisely
presented; thesis
may not directly
address the prompt.
Opening is
ineffective, poorly
organized, and
underdeveloped;
thesis statement
may summarize plot
points rather than
present argument
about text or may
be missing; thesis
may not address the
prompt or a viable
topic; author and/or
title of text may not
be referenced
properly.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Development
Each paragraph
clearly connects to
the thesis and
offers identifiable,
well-phrased ideas
to be fully argued
in each paragraph;
concrete details
are well-chosen
and incorporated
in the body
paragraphs;
paragraphs are
well-organized to
create a coherent,
carefully
developed and
supported
argument;
transitions
between ideas are
logical and each
idea builds on the
preceding.
Each paragraph
generally connects
to the thesis but
one or more main
ideas may need to
be clarified;
concrete details
are generally well-
chosen though
some may be
irrelevant or
insufficient as
evidence to
effectively support
the thesis and/or
paragraph;
paragraphs are
generally well-
organized,
although some
transitions may be
awkward; focus
and control of
argument may
need
improvement
because the point
of a paragraph
may not always be
clear.
Supporting ideas
within body
paragraphs are
present but weak in
one or more
following areas:
main idea not
discernible, a fact
about the text is
summarized, and/or
unclear connections
to thesis
exist. Concrete
details are present
but weak because
they provide
insufficient evidence
to support the body
paragraph and/or
lack insightful
inference. Lack of
coherent
organization of ideas
within paragraphs;
abrupt transitions
that impede flow.
Topic sentences
absent or
consistently lack
focused ideas,
either offering
general, irrelevant
comments or
stating facts about
the text; there is no
discernible
argument or point
guiding the paper;
concrete details are
absent or
ineffective/
insufficient;
consistent lack of
coherent
organization of
ideas within
paragraphs and
from one paragraph
to the next; points
of paragraphs are
unclear.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Literary
Interpretation
Writing
demonstrates
analysis, critique,
and
interpretative
functions;
inferences are well
developed so that
all claims and
points made are
well-supported
and persuasive;
focuses on both
thematic and
stylistic elements
of examined
literature;
demonstrates
writer’s ability to
interpret the
function of literary
devices in the
service of thematic
meaning;
appropriate
balance of quotes
to writer’s
commentary;
writer is clearly
engaged with and
moved by his/her
thinking process
and philosophy.
Writing
generally
reflects a critical,
analytical, and
interpretative
understanding of
the text but is
uneven or vague;
inferences
demonstrate
interpretive ability
but could be
developed further
to better explain
significance of
detail and support
thesis; some
claims may be
vague,
generalized, or
lacking in support;
analysis could be
stronger through
focus on stylistic
elements that
create thematic
meaning; some
imbalance of
quotes and
writer’s analysis.
Writing
demonstrates basic
comprehension, but
not a critical,
analytical, or
interpretive
understanding, as
reflected by the
following:
interpretive analysis
inconsistent or
unsubstantiated;
frequent summary
of plot; writer
restates the content
of cited sources
rather than draws
significant
inferences about
sub-textual
meaning; little or no
analysis of how
stylistic elements of
the text create
meaning. Writing
weakened by
frequent
generalizations,
unsupported claims,
assumptions, vague
statements.
Writing
demonstrates some
awareness of
literary details but
not a critical or
analytical
understanding of
the text; points
made are vague and
unsubstantiated;
plot summary is
present; no literary
interpretation
present.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Language &
Style
Paper reflects an
argumentative
mode of writing
appropriate for
the topic; it is
academic in tone;
writer’s voice is
evident, confident,
and sophisticated;
vocabulary and
phrasing are
academically
appropriate,
persuasive, and
sophisticated
without being
pretentious.
Writing is
generally
academic in tone;
writer’s voice may
not be consistently
persuasive but is
discernible;
writing
demonstrates an
awareness of the
purpose to
persuade;
vocabulary in
some places may
be simplistic or
ineffective.
Writing tends to be
mechanical in tone;
writer’s voice is not
discernible in the
paper; writing
demonstrates
inconsistent
awareness of the
purpose to
persuade;
vocabulary tends to
be simplistic,
marked by instances
of informal or
imprecise diction.
Writing is
mechanical in tone;
writer’s voice is not
discernible; writing
demonstrates no
awareness of the
purpose to
persuade;
vocabulary is
simplistic and/or
inappropriate.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Grammar &
Mechanics
Paper includes
sentence variety;
effective syntax
and grammar;
demonstrates a
mastery of writing
conventions and
serves the author’s
purpose;
consistent
adherence to MLA
Paper’s sentences
generally effective
but may lack
appropriate
variety (some
repeated opening
words and
structure); syntax
and grammar may
be awkward in
places
(but not
Essay sentences lack
variety (frequently
repeated opening
words and sentence
structure); awkward
syntax and grammar
confuse writer’s
point and distract
reader; misspellings,
contractions,
fragments, referring
Frequent syntax,
grammar, and
misspelling errors
that distract the
reader; lack of
adherence to MLA
guidelines which
undermines the
integrity of paper;
inaccurate Works
Cited page
No adherence to
MLA guidelines
(missing citations,
lack of proper
format); missing
Works Cited page;
paper is
incomprehensible.
guidelines;
accurate Works
Cited page;
absence of
grammar, syntax,
and punctuation
errors.
distracting); a few
grammar and
mechanical errors
(but not
distracting);
consistent
adherence to MLA
guidelines;
accurate Works
Cited page.
to “you” which
diminishes the
academic nature of
the writing;
inconsistent
adherence to MLA
guidelines (but does
not compromise
integrity of essay);
Works Cited page
may contain
inaccuracies (but
does not
compromise the
integrity of essay).
compromises
integrity of essay.
TOTAL POINTS
- Literary Studies Writing Assignment
Objectives
Directions
Format
Final Submission and Extra-credit
Penalties or Rejection