The written word has had an impact on the human condition for centuries. We have all been touched in some way or another by literature. This week, you will take a literary journey by searching the Internet for the pieces below. In addition to reading the story, you should find out something about the author of your chosen piece as well. After making your choice, come back and share your impressions of the story and explain how it contributes to our discussion of the humanities.

Initial Post: Choose one of the following options (or find a piece of literature of your choosing to report on):

• “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner (This memorable short story is about a community mourning the loss of a lonely old Southern woman, who was actually a murderer.)
• “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid (This dramatic prose poem reflects lessons from a mother to her daughter.)
• “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (This short story captures the complex internal conflict of an oppressed wife learning of her overbearing husband’s death.)
• “Exodus” by James Baldwin (This gripping short story describes the plight of a young woman in post-slavery America conflicted between family obligations and trying to make a better life for herself.)

Once you have selected a short story, read the story, highlight interesting parts of the story, and take notes as needed. Research the author to learn more about their writing style and writing features. In about two paragraphs, comment on the following items:

1. What is your overall impression of the story?
2. What interesting features did you learn about the author that help you appreciate the story or understand more about the story?
3. How does this story advance your understanding of the Humanities?
4. Share a unique literary element such as a metaphor, symbol, theme, or simile from the story?
5. To whom would you recommend this story, and why?

Reply Posts: Thoughtfully respond to one of your classmates. Consider the following:

• What did your classmate observe that is different from your response?
• What points or ideas to analyze might they have missed?

Please follow these steps: 

1. Review the “Rubric Peer Review” media piece for information on effective peer reviews.
2. Begin by posting your Definition Argument Rough Draft by the deadline to TWO places: the Week 2 Peer Review Forum: Definition AND the Week 2 Definition Argument First Draft assignment box.
3. Perform a peer review of the draft of the classmate who posted his/her response directly below yours in the Week 2 Peer Review forum. If your draft is the last posted, review the first draft posted. Then, complete the “Peer Review Worksheet: Definition” (see attachment in assignment box) to guide your review of a classmate’s paper.
4. You will then need to post your completed Peer Review Worksheet to TWO places: the Week 2 Peer Review Forum: Definition for your peer to view AND the Week 2 Peer Review Assignment for the Definition Argument Essay assignment box, so the instructor can grade your work.
5. Attach the file with your completed Peer Review Worksheet to the Peer Review Forum: Definition as a “reply” to the initial post of your peer’s first draft.
6. Please note that to participate in the peer review process you must post your essay by 11:59 pm (AZ time) on Wednesday of Week 2.
7. If you do not submit the First Draft or Peer Review Worksheet to both places or if you review the wrong person, you may not receive full credit for this assignment.ENG-106 Peer Review Worksheet: Definition Argument

   Part of your responsibility as a student in this course is to provide quality feedback to your peers that will help them to improve their writing skills. This worksheet will assist you in providing that feedback. To highlight the text and type over the information in the boxes on this worksheet, double-click on the first word.

   Name of the draft’s author: Type Author Name Here

   Name of the peer reviewer: Type Reviewer Name Here

   Reviewer

   After reading through the draft one time, write a summary (3-5 sentences) of the paper that includes your assessment of how well the essay meets the assignment requirements as specified in the syllabus and the rubric.

   Type 3-5 Sentence Summary Here

    

    

   After a second, closer reading of the draft, answer each of the following questions. Positive answers will give you specific elements of the draft to praise; negative answers will indicate areas in need of improvement and revision. Please be sure to indicate at least three positive aspects of the draft and at least three areas for improvement in reply to the questions at the bottom of this worksheet.

   Definition Argument Content and Ideas

   · How effectively does the thesis statement identify the main points that the writer would like to make in this definition argument?

   Type Answer Here

   · How successfully does the argument focus on explaining and justifying a specific definition?

   Type Answer Here

   · If the writer uses resemblance arguments, how successfully were they used?

   Type Answer Here

   · How persuasively is evidence used to justify ideas and enrich the essay?

   Type Answer Here

   · How effectively does the essay incorporate supporting strategies such as the criteria-match pattern described?

   Type Answer Here

   Organization

   · How effectively does the introduction engage the reader while providing an overview of the paper?

   Type Answer Here

   · Please identify the writer’s thesis and quote it in the box below.

   Type Writer’s Thesis Here

   · How effectively do the paragraphs develop the topic sentence and advance the essay’s ideas?

   Type Answer Here

   · How effectively does the conclusion provide a strong, satisfying ending, not a mere summary of the essay?

   Type Answer Here

    

    

   Format

   · How closely does the paper follow APA formatting style? Is it double-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman font? Does it have 1″ margins? Does it use headers (page numbers using appropriate header function)? Does it have a proper heading (with student’s name, date, course, and instructor’s name)?

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   · Are all information, quotations, and borrowed ideas cited in parenthetical APA format?

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   · Are all sources listed on the references page in APA format?

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   · Is the required minimum number of sources listed?

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   Language Use and Style

   · Are the voice and tone of the essay effective in characterizing ideas and creating the appropriate mood? If “No,” please provide examples of ineffective or inappropriate voice and tone.

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   · How effectively does the paper incorporate a variety of sentence structures that strengthen the ideas, create vitality, and avoid choppiness in the writing?

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   · How would you assess the writer’s diction (i.e., word choice)? Does the writer use active verbs, concrete nouns, and precise words?

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

    

   Grammar and Mechanics

   · Does the writer use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling? If “No,” please provide examples of errors in need of correction.

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

   · Is the writing clear and comprehensible throughout the draft? If “No,” please provide examples in need of improvement.

   |_|Yes |_|No Add optional clarification here

    

    

   Three things that I liked about your draft are:

   1. Type First Thing You Liked

   2. Type Second Thing You Liked

   3. Type Third Thing You Liked

    

   Three things that could be improved are:

   1. Type 1st Area for Improvement

   2. Type 2nd Area for Improvement

   3. Type 3rd Area for Improvement