Description

For this essay, you must select an e-poem from I ♥ E-Poetry or The Electronic Literature Collection (Volumes 1, 2, or 3) that has not been discussed thoroughly in class or in a previous assignment by you or any other source. In addition to performing detailed analyses of your chosen poem, this essay assignment will require you to do some research beyond the poem into its technological, literary, cultural, historical, and/or biographical contexts. Your essay must have a clearly stated interpretation of the poem as its thesis, and detailed analyses of the work as support, as well as incorporating at least 3 secondary sources. I encourage the incorporation of screen captured images of the work. The final paper should be about 2,000 words (about 8 pages long in MLA format: typed, double-spaced, with 1” margins, and a 12-point legible font). Any use of sources must be documented in impeccable MLA format—parenthetical citation (author’s last name & page number) and works cited page. A printed copy of the essay is due on Tuesday, December 3.

Evaluation

Your essay will be evaluated in the following areas, with areas 1-3 carrying most of the weight of the grade:
  1. Assignment (fulfilling requirements, quality of thesis, and depth of analysis),
  2. Organization (clarity of thesis, thorough paragraphing, overall organization),
  3. Development (relevance of claims, adequacy of support, and textual evidence),
  4. Sentence Structure, Word Choice, and Grammar (weaknesses will be identified in these areas, but they will not affect grade significantly unless they get in the way of understanding the essay).
An essay that satisfies all the requirements of the assignment with a clear sense of organization and adequate development earns a “C” in this class. An essay that achieves the goals at an above average level of proficiency, with only minor problems in one or two areas earns a “B.”  The “A” is reserved for nearly flawless, elegant essays that excel in all the criteria described above. Essays that do not fulfill the minimum requirements for the assignment earn a “D.”  Only essays that are not turned in or are plagiarized earn an “F” in this class, and may result in a failing grade in the course.