In an in-class essay, support one of the six following theses about the short story.
To the exam, you can bring a copy of the prompt (these instructions), the short story you printed out, and an outline you made based on the thesis you plan to argue. Your outline may only be an outlineno full sentenceswritten on a 3x 5 index card. You may annotate the story but, again, no full sentences.
You should cite specifics to support your argument. Your essay will need clear organization (with transitions) and support for the thesis. This support will come from the text, and you will need to explain how the examples from the text support the thesis.
Make sure that you are prioritizing analysis over summary. Beware of over-quoting and/or not integrating or discussing included quotations. Cite all quotations and paraphrases in MLA format. Include a work cited entry at the end of your essay.
At the conclusion of the exam, turn in your index card, the short story, scrap paper, this prompt, if you printed it out, and your bluebook essay.
Choose one of the theses below and write an essay that supports the thesis with strong, specific support from the text.
1. Emily Anderson Ulas chosen title Departure reflects literal, emotional, and symbolic layers of meaning present in the story.
2. In Departure, Emily Anderson Ula uses the events of one day in the life of her main character, Drita, to explore challenges faced by many immigrant women.
3. In Departure, Emily Anderson Ula explores several kinds of freedom that go beyond financial independence, and, in fact, suggests that Dritas lottery win reveals these non-monetary freedoms that she had not been able to recognize before.
4. In Departure, Emily Anderson Ula uses trains and travel to structure the narrative and to metaphorically reveal a belief about American life.
5. The story argues that duty to self not others is the American way.
6. The story uses Dritas superstitions to highlight the unfair nature of life in America.