Promt for The Bluest Eye Analytical Project

Due:
Outline: Friday, January 16th (15 points)
Draft: Wednesday, January 21st (20 Points)
Final: Friday, January 23rd at the start of class to turnitin.com (100 points)
Option 1, Essay: 3-4 typed pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, with one-inch margins around the edges.
Please submit to turnitin.com, and be sure to follow MLA guidelines for formatting (see my website for an
example). Uploaded to turnitin.com by the due date.
Option 2, Video: An organized, creative, informational, five minute video giving an analysis. This video will be
similar to a 60Second Recap video, and will require you to upload your outline to turnitin and your video to
the class YouTube page. (login: mslamolyamlit@gmail.com password: americanlit)
Prompt: Answer the following questions:
Toni Morrison has said that she writes to find out answers to seemingly untenable questions, and she has
used her novels to discuss important social issues. Using literary elements, how does Morrison demonstrate
issues of race, culture, gender, age, sexuality, beauty, and/or other elements of identity?
Option 1: Your essay will include:

Introductory Paragraph: use the upside-down triangle model previously discussed in class, and include a
one sentence thesis statement that summarizes the central idea of your analysis. Do not use first person
in the essay.

Body Paragraphs: provide detailed evidence to support your thesis. Each paragraph that starts a new
point of your outline should have a topic sentence which directly relates to the essays thesis statement
and predicts the central idea of your paragraph. Topic sentences should not be a simple statement of
plot. Be careful to provide clear transition when moving from one point to the next.

Concluding Paragraph: point out the importance of the elements analyzed and their connection to the
text as a whole. Do not simply repeat your thesis statement from your introductory paragraph and/or
restate all of your main points. You should answer the question So What?

Please read over Six Criteria for Effective Writing at my web site.
Make it your own: As you might imagine, there are many essays and articles about The Bluest Eye available
online and in the library. Although I have no problem with you conducting research to enhance your appreciation
of this novel, I am most interested in YOUR thoughts and ideas about the novel. If you do conduct research,
please remember to cite your sources (MLA style); avoid the pitfalls of witting and unwitting plagiarism!
Option 2: Your video will include:
Options 1 and 2 have the same requirements up through the outline. The video project must include a paper-like
outline to receive credit, and must use the outline to prompt the script.
o An introduction: use the upside-down triangle model previously discussed in class, and include a one
sentence thesis statement that summarizes the central idea of your analysis make it a big deal in your
video! Do not use first person Ill know its your ideas because youll be narrating!
o Provide detailed evidence to support your thesis. What would be a sub-claim in your essay starts a new
point of your outline, and should have a topic sentence which directly relates to the essays thesis

statement. This predicts the central idea of of that topic. Topic sentences should not be a simple
statement of plot. Be careful to provide clear transition when moving from one point to the next.
o A conclusion: point out the importance of the elements analyzed and their connection to the text as a
whole. Do not simply repeat your thesis statement from your introductory paragraph and/or restate all of
your main points. You should answer the question So What?
o You do not have to write a script, but your outline must include your detailed analysis.
o Be creative! Add text, background graphics, music, sound effects, and have fun with it!
Make it your own: As you might imagine, there are many essays and articles about The Bluest Eye available
online and in the library. Although I have no problem with you conducting research to enhance your appreciation
of this novel, I am most interested in YOUR thoughts and ideas about the novel. If you do conduct research,
please remember to cite your sources (MLA style); avoid the pitfalls of witting and unwitting plagiarism!
Your Draft: Show me that you are now in the editing process (you have recorded). Those who chose the video
option will peer review other videos. Please bring headphones and your video file to class (I will provide
macbooks if need be).

Grammar
and Editing

Overall Cohesion
& Thoughtfulness

Evidence

Structure of
Project

Thesis

C/D

My thesis is a thoughtful and

clear argument, which makes a
unique claim about the novel.
Acknowledges a counterclaim

My thesis is a thoughtful
My thesis is an argument that may My thesis is not an argument or it
argument that makes an
be unoriginal, or too simple.
is not related to my novel.
interesting claim about the novel.

My introduction clearly includes a

short summary, my theories and
my thesis.
My body paragraphs each have a
main idea/topic sentence
My conclusion clearly
summarizes my argument and
makes a link/connection to other
texts or ideas.
Each paragraph clearly supports
my thesis.
My body paragraphs each have 2
or more relevant examples/quotes
to support my argument and an
analysis/interpretation of how
they support it.

My introduction mostly includes a

short summary, my theories and
my thesis.
Most of my body paragraphs have
a main idea/topic sentence.
My conclusion summarizes my
argument and tries to make a link/
connection to other texts or ideas.

Overall, my project clearly

communicates my thinking about
the text and why the issues raised
are important.
My project shows insight into
why those examples chosen are
significant.
My whole project flows
smoothly with transitions between
thoughts.
My final draft had less than 3
errors in spelling, grammar, or
punctuation.
I kept my tense consistent
throughout the project.
Used MLA citation format for
quotes.

Overall, my project
communicates my thinking about
the text and why the issues raised
are important.
My project shows why those
examples chosen are significant.
My project flows well with
transitions between paragraphs.

Each paragraph seems to support

my thesis.
Most of my body paragraphs
include 2 relevant
examples/quotes to support my
argument and an explanation of
how they support it.

My introduction may include a

short summary, my theories and
my thesis, but not all of them.
Some body paragraphs have a
main idea/topic sentence.
My conclusion almost
summarizes my argument, though
it fails to make a connection or
there are loose ends.
Each paragraph may support my
thesis, though not clearly.
My body paragraphs include
fewer than 2 examples or quotes
to support my argument or they
do not explain how the evidence
supports it.

My project attempts to
communicate my thinking about
the text but fails to address why
the issues raised are important.
My project attempts to show why
those examples chosen are
significant.
My project is choppy. The
sections feel separate and do not
flow well.
My final draft had between 3 to 6 My final draft had more than 6
errors in spelling, grammar, or
errors in spelling, grammar, or
punctuation.
punctuation.
I kept my tense mostly consistent I had some errors in tense
consistency.
throughout the project.
Used one aspect of MLA citations
Used some aspect of MLA
for quotes.
citation for quotes.

My introduction may not include

a short summary, my theories and
my thesis.
Few or none of my body
paragraphs have a main idea/topic
sentence.
My conclusion does not
summarize my argument or brings
up new ideas without explanation.
My paragraphs do not support my
thesis.
My body paragraphs do not
clearly include evidence or the
evidence is not relevant to the
thesis.
My project does not demonstrate
my thinking about issues in the
text.
My examples are mainly retellings of parts of the story
My project is choppy. The
sections feel separate and do not
flow.

My final draft had many more

than 6 errors in spelling,
grammar, or punctuation.
I had many errors in tense
consistency.
Didnt use MLA citation for
quotes.

The Bluest Eye Essay Graphic Organizer

o Using literary elements, how does Morrison demonstrate issues of racism, sexism, and classism?
o Literary devices/terms/elements/techniques (similie, metaphor, symbolism, flashback, foreshadowing, theme,
characterization, mood, point of view, plot exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action,
resolution, setting, imagery)

Racism

Sexism

Classism

Context of quotation (what leads

up to this piece of evidence?)

Context of quotation (what leads

up to this piece of evidence?)

Context of quotation (what leads

up to this piece of evidence?)

Evidence (quotation with the

literary element and the page
number)

Evidence (quotation with the

literary element and the page
number)

Evidence (quotation with the

literary element and the page
number)

Analysis: how does Morrison use

Analysis: how does Morrison use
Analysis: how does Morrison use
this literary element to demonstrate this literary element to demonstrate this literary element to demonstrate
issues of race?
issues of gender?
issues of class?

Outline Structure for Literary Analysis Essay

Use this outline to create yours. Your outline must be in this format.
Namey McNamerton
Ms. Lamoly
American Lit C Block
16 January 2015
Outline for The Bluest Eye Project
I. Catchy Title
II. Paragraph 1: Introduction (Use HATMAT or upside down triangle)
a. Hook
b. Author
c. Title
d. Main characters
e. A short summary
f. Thesis
III. Paragraph 2: First Body Paragraph
a. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
b. Context for the quote
i. Who says it?
ii. Whats happening in the text when they say it?
c. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
d. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
e. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph if needed)
IV. Paragraph 3: Second Body Paragraph
a. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
b. Context for the quote
i. Who says it?
ii. Whats happening in the text when they say it?
c. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
d. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
e. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph if needed)
V. Paragraph 4: Third Body Paragraph
a. Topic sentence (what this paragraph will discuss, how it will prove your thesis)
b. Context for the quote
i. Who says it?
ii. Whats happening in the text when they say it?
c. Quote from the text (cited appropriately)
d. Analysis of the quote: How does it prove your thesis?
e. Closing sentence (wrap up the paragraph if needed)
VI. Conclusion (You do not necessarily have to follow this order, but include the following):
a. Summarize your argument.
b. Extend the argument.
c. Show why the text is important.