literary analysis. general observations about writing structure and requirements: great command of...
TRANSCRIPT
General observations about writing structure and requirements:
Great command of third-person writing voice: just a couple of exceptions here. This
simply means removal of “I” “me” “my” “our” “us” “we.”
Generally, points are well supported with evidence (quoting from the packet)
LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL
In your introduction, establish the driving force/controlling purpose of the paper: Little
Crow both reflects and defies Native American stereotypes.
His natural pragmatism, overreaching desire to help his people even with brutal
consequences, and the mythological side of his past contribute to and likewise defy commonly held stereotypes of Native
Americans.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL
Simplify: Choose three stereotypes to focus on: then, n the body of the
paper, address the contradictions within each stereotype.
Be sure to place “Injun” in quotation marks: It’s an offensive term, and you want to let the reader know that it’s
not yours.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL
Establish both main sources: the Star Tribune packet by Curt Brown and the
film documentary “Reel Injun”When you reference “Reel Injun,” cite
specific movies that support the stereotype that you are analyzing.
Give a brief description of the movie and how it fosters the stereotype.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL
Remember to fully describe both sources:A six-part series titled “A Man Lost in History,” written in 2012 by Minneapolis Star Tribune
writer Curt Brown.Then your in-text citations should refer to the
specific articles in the series, rather than lumping than all under “A Man Lost in History.”
The 2009 Neil Diamond film documentary, “Reel Injun” examines Hollywood’s depiction of Native Americans through a century of cinema.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL
Shoot for a creative title: Instead of “Little Crow Analysis” follow this example: Little Crow: ‘Reel
Injun’ or Real Leader?
LITERARY ANALYSIS: OVERALL
Quick grammar lesson #1: comma splicesTwo independent clauses (or two complete sentences) within one sentence cannot be
separated by a comma alone.Example: Little Crow defies the “savage”
stereotype, he did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.
We have two independent clauses:Little Crow defies the savage” stereotype.
He did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: GRAMMAR
Fix the comma “splice” in three ways:
Simply replace the comma with a semi-colon.
Little Crow defies the “savage” stereotype; he did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.
Keep the comma, but add a subordinating or coordinating conjunction.
Little Crow defies the “savage” stereotype, and he did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.
Replace the comma with a period, and form two sentences.
Little Crow defies the “savage” stereotype. He did not see war as the Dakota’s best option.
COMMA SPLICES
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Grammar lesson #2: Parallel structure
When we talk about parallel structure, we're dealing with a balancing act. The idea isn't too hard, but most people don't think about it.
So what are we balancing? . . . pairs of words or series of words. Look at the following:
Pairsa and ba or b
Seriesa, b, and ca, b, or c
Think of the letters as standing for words or groups of words. Any words or groups of words that you plug in have to be the same kinds of
words or word patterns. That's all there is to it! Let's see how the "formula" works:
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Pairs: running and jumping, bothered and bewildered, open or shut, laughing or crying (all are verbs)
Series: broken, bedraggled, and bone-tired (all are adjectives)an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket (all are
nouns)
When you write your sentences using parallel structure, your ideas come across more clearly because they're easier to read. Compare
the following sentences:
Non-parallel structure: Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a bear that was stuffed, and she had chewed up an old blanket.
Parallel structure: Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket.
See how the second sentence is smoother and more balanced? Adapted from “Big Dog’s Grammar” http://aliscot.com/bigdog/parallel.htm
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up
blanket.We have three groups of words that
are parallel in their construction: adjective/noun
old shoe, stuffed bear, chewed-up blanket.
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
ExamplesThese stereotypes include being brave, a warrior, and
spiritual.These stereotypes include being adjective, noun, and
adjective.How can we fix it?
These stereotypes include being brave, combative, and spiritual.
Many movies portray Indians as savages, spirited, prideful, and warriors.
Many movies portray Indians as savage, spirited, prideful, and warlike.
Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “A Man Lost in History,” by Curt Brown.
Colons and semi-colons go outside of quotations marks.
Entire paper is double-spaced, including title page info.
MISCELLANEOUS
Your last name 1
Your first and last name
Mr. Johnston
American Literature
11 March 2013
TITLE IS CENTERED
Every page after this will have your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS: FORMATTING REMINDER