Detailed Study:  Commentary on an Extract

WL Paper 2 is a detailed study based on ONE of the World Literature works from last spring (the text not used in WL Paper 1) OR Death and the Maiden from last fall.

In this paper, an extract (passage), of approximately 30 lines of prose or the equivalent in drama or verse, is taken from a work for an in-depth analysis.  Candidates should justify briefly their selection of the particular extract; the remaining majority of the paper should explore how language, imagery, organization of ideas, and stylistic and thematic aspects work in the passage.

In short, this assignment is a super-strict commentary where your primary focus is analyzing the words on the page (the words of the extract).  Even more so than the Plath paper, you must stay within the passage you’ve selected rather than looking at text outside the passage.  However, like the Plath paper, you will need to situate the extract within the larger text; I recommend that you do most of this work in your justification for selecting the passage.

Example, if I chose to write about the passage in The Metamorphosis where Grete plays her violin for the boarders and is seen by Gregor, my justification for picking this passage might look something like the following:

This extract reveals how deeply Gregor’s denial of reality has spread.  Kafka has clearly shown that the family is moving on without Gregor especially by changing the one member of the family who used to show the most care for Gregor in his condition—Grete—and making her become neglectful and resentful of him.  Yet here, Gregor is certain that Grete’s love for him will transcend the current situation to the point where she wouldn’t mind having a giant cockroach clamber up and kiss her on the neck.  In the eyes of the reader, this is clearly a ridiculous notion, and the language and imagery of the extract evokes the greatest depth of pity for Gregor in the reader.

Below is a list of the students in this class and the text remaining from last spring.  Death and the Maiden is available to ALL students who haven't used it for their Oral Presentation.  Like the Plath paper, no two students may have the same passage (overlap may be no more than 5-7 lines).

BASIC PAPER REQUIREMENTS:

• Your paper must be 1000-1500 words long.
• Your paper must be typed, 12 pt. Times or Arial font, 1” margins.
• You must type out the extract you’ve chosen to include on a separate page attached to your paper.  Number the lines (mark every 5^th line).  You do not include this in your count.
• Your heading should include the following:
  • Your full name
  • Your IB candidate number
  • World Literature Paper #2
  • Date
  • Your word count (like this:  Word Count: 1352)
• You must have a highly specific title detailing the subject, type of analysis, and text focus of your paper.
• Include your name and candidate number in the header or footer on EVERY PAGE.
• Number every page.
• You must include your word count again at the end of your paper before your bibliography.
• You must have a bibliography at the end of your paper (you don’t need a separate page for it) giving the information of the text you use in your paper.  Follow the samples below to create your bibliography:

Abe, Kobo.  The Woman in the Dunes.  New York: Vintage International, 1964.

Ibsen, Henrick.  A Doll’s House.  ___City of Publication ___: ___Publisher __, __Copyright Date __.

• You must turn in 2 copies of each “part of your paper” (as detailed below).  You may want to print a 3^rd copy for yourself as a backup.
• You may not submit the parts of your paper to me via email (except proposal).  However, if you have questions or want to run your thesis by me before turning the parts of your paper in, you may email them to me.
• Each assignment for this paper is due during a given week. You may not work on future parts of your paper without getting my comments.

PARTS OF YOUR PAPER (mandatory unless otherwise marked)

Extract Selection First come, first served.  List out your extract choice(s) by indicating the page number(s) and the opening and closing line of the extract.  YOUR EXTRACT SHOULD BE BETWEEN 30-35 LINES.  Give me your extract choice(s) by Wednesday (12/17) afternoon.  HAND your choice(s) to me so I can mark the time I receive them (I’ll be in 373 in the morning and in the English office after advisory).  Remember, no two students can have the same extract; overlap can be a maximum of 7 lines.

 Check for taken extracts here!

Paper Proposal (optional, but highly recommended):  Refer to the handout “Writing a Paper Proposal” for the parameters of this part of your paper in addition to covering the following:

·        Include the typed out extract (with line numbers).

·        Include your justification for choosing your extract.

·        Your brief outline should be an outline of the points you plan to prove with brief references back to words or techniques within the lines you’ve chosen you plan on using to prove your points.

I recommend that you submit a proposal to me before 12/27.  You can submit a hard copy by Thursday, 12/18, OR email me at sspach@hotmail.com.  I will also be available at Archer Heights Library on 12/26, 9am to noon if you need to meet with me in person.

Draft 1: Write a complete first draft of your paper. Draft #1 due no later than 4 pm, Tues. 1/6/04.

Draft 2:  AFTER getting comments back on draft 1, revise your paper and submit your second draft.  Schedule a conference with me between 1/15 and 1/26 to discuss this draft of your paper.

Draft 3 (FINAL DRAFT):  AFTER our conference on draft 2, revise your paper and submit your final draft.  This is due no later than 1/29/04.  (You will also be submitting two clean copies of your WL #1 with the proper heading, etc.  More on this later.)