Final

Caribbean Literature
Winter 2002: Final Essay Exam (5 pages)
30% of Overall Grade
Due with Peer Critiques

Overview
This course has introduced a critical and historical approach to Caribbean literature. We have examined writers representing the Spanish Speaking Caribbean islands, learning about "colonial" and "postcolonial" cultures. For the final essay, choose a topic that demonstrates what you have learned in the course and relate it to Cristina Garcia's Agureo Sistersl.

Requirements: Submissions that do not meet all of these requirements will be given a zero.
1. Write a polished, 4 page word processed draft; make two copies for the peer critique on 11/21
2. Make revisions according to Peer Critiques.
3. Submit 4 page final with drafts and peer critiques
No extensions. No late work will be accepted. If you want your essay returned, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Approach:
1. Focus on one historical idea or concept and apply it to one specific chapter or passage in the text.
(Don't try to do too much; rather, you should analyze fully the topic you do have).
2. Announce the thesis in your introduction in bold, support the thesis in the body, and make sure you have a conclusion.
3. Once you have narrowed your topic, you should then elaborate on your interpretation. (So what.)
Assume that your reader knows the text intimately, especially the plot. Jump into your analysis, in media res-- in the middle of things.
4. Begin your paper by announcing your thesis: "This essay addresses Garcia's representation of U.S. and Cuban life in The Aguero Sisters."
5. Address the following compositional issues:

Use active verbs (get rid of the "to be" verbs: is, are, was were, be being, etc.)
Get rid of expletives (there are, there were, it is, it was, etc.)
Use literary present tense ("Aguero investigates the world of nature through Ignacio and Blanca Aguero.")
Use transitions between paragraphs to connect ideas
Use author, page citations (see MLA below).
Include a works cited
Limit quotes to one or two a page and integrate them (introduce them and respond to them)
Avoid first person
Find a unique approach
Place thesis in bold

7. Provide a meaningful title

Format of Work: Word process your work with a computer.
Double space all hard copies; Use 12 point font, Times New Roman; 1 inch margins all around
(no padding with wide margins; you need to change the default)
Use the Modern Language Association Style to document outside sources, including web pages.
Include the following information (no title pages, please):

     Your Name
     The Date
     Dr. Ramirez, California State University
     Caribbean Literature
     Title of the Essay

It is essential that you make constant back-ups of your work. Misplacing or losing files can be frustrating and it does happen with frequency. Moreover, computers freeze and power outages are not uncommon. However file problems or any other kind of computer and printing problems will not excuse late work. Print drafts as a safety measure and save a copy on a NEW disk.

Scholastic Responsibility: You should document your texts with "author's last name, page" citations: (Garcia 185 ). When you use outside sources, be sure to properly quote and paraphrase, rather than plagiarize. Use the Writer's Reference as a guide. Plagiarizing (submitting work that is not your own or failing to document other people's analyses or using their words) or any other form of scholastic dishonesty (cheating) will result in an F in the assignment and possible failure of the course. Plagiarism happens frequently when students are not prepared, when they are confused or rushed, or when they assume the professor will not know. But this is a poor assumption.

Sample Essay Format
Introduction
State the thesis (one or two paragraphs)
This essay addresses Garcia's use of opposites in The Aguero Sisters. More specifically, I examine how Reina and Constancia define shape their lives by embarking on divergent paths and how these paths reflect specific aspects of Cuban versus American culture.

Body
Three paragraphs idea #1
    Analysis of Reina, analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
    analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
    analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina,
analysis of Reina,   analysis of Reina.
Three paragraphs on idea #2
    Analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
    analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
    analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia,
analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia, analysis of Constancia.
Conclusion
One to two paragraphs: Wrap up your ideas and make sure you have related your thesis to the concerns or the culture of the Caribbean.
    Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up,
Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up,
Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up.
    Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up,
Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up,
Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up,
Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up, Wrap it up!