Essay Prompt

A literary critical analysis is not merely a summary of a literary work. Instead, it is an argument that expresses an interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the work. This is accomplished by examining specific literary devices (symbols, themes, metaphors, tone, point of view, diction, structure, etc.), within the work. The purpose of a critical analysis is to demonstrate how these elements convey meaning. In your analysis, you will most likely discuss how certain literary techniques are used to convey specific ideas. You will discuss what a literary piece means and how it achieves its effect. To write critically, you must provide analysis of specific evidence from the text (words and phrases; avoid long quotes). The goal of this assignment is to give the audience an interpretation of the literature.
Organization?:
1. Introduction (explore the subject? of your analysis and end with a thesis statement).
2. Body Paragraphs 2-3 (explore the main aspects of your argument); Include topic sentences (the first sentence of the paragraph that states the main idea of the paragraph and its significance)
3. Conclusion (what is the significance of the analysis; avoid restating thesis)

MLA Format for Essays?:
All formal papers must be submitted using the following format:
1. 12 pt, Times Roman font, double-spaced with one-inch margins;
2. Text is left-justified and title in center-justified;
3. Heading is on the upper left-hand corner of the paper and consists of students name, course number and section/instructors name, assignment title, and due date;
4. Header is in the upper right hand corner and consists of students last name and the page number;
5. The first lines of paragraphs are indented 5 spaces with no extra line space between paragraphs.
6. No title...
...

Include a Works Cited page
Requirements?:
o Identify 1? work of literature assigned for the course (or your oral presentation selection)
o MLA format & in-text citations (for quotes cited)
o 2-3 full p

Do:
o Use quotation marks for poetry and short story titles.
o Cite the literatures date of publication after the first mention (in parenthesis).

Avoid:
o Outside sources. The only source allowed for this assignment is the literature.
o First-person (I, me) and second person pronouns (you, your).
o Using I think, I feel, I believe, and In my opinion because these statements prove nothing.
o Using the authors first name.
o Evidence (quotes) without introductions and explanations.
o Summary

We're on Our Way by Fannie Lou Hamer

Voter repression, police brutality, and systematic race-based rights deprivation remain problems in spite of all the laws and legislation preventing discrimination. No matter what the Constitution says, and many decades after passing the fifteenth amendment, institutionalized racism remains real and was so even more poignantly during the days of Jim Crow. Fannie Lou Hamer spoke out against racism in America on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement, at a critical moment in American history. Delivered to a community meeting in 1964, Hamers speech Were On Our Way motivates her audience to take action and demand all rights and freedoms rather than passively accept oppression.

One of the cornerstone themes of Hamers address is the need to be unafraid of exercising fundamental rights and freedoms of speech and expression. Fear is one of the tactics used by the white oppressor to keep silent the African American community. Hamer uses powerful…