Paper #2: Daisy Miller (4-5 pages)
Consult no sources for the writing of this paper, not even to “get started” or “get ideas.” Please see the syllabus policy on academic dishonesty. The only exceptions allowed are The Oxford English Dictionary Online and Green’s Dictionary of Slang.
Assignment: Exactly as in Paper #1, locate a theme in James’s novella and argue for what position you believe James is taking on that theme. Support your claim with quotations from the novella and close reading of those quotations. Cite your quotations correctly both in-text and in a Works Cited page. See the Format and Documentation handout for how to do this and how to format the paper.
Writing the thesis: 1. Pick a theme: Remember that a theme is a novella-wide issue that comes up repeatedly and that an author takes a position on. Some of themes we discussed are sexuality, gender, class, cultural difference, etc. Themes can be narrowed and made more specific, often to the benefit of papers.
2. Determine what position you think James is taking on the theme. Remember that authors don’t just “talk about” race or class or empire in their works. They use those works to offer opinions.
3. Name the novella and author.
4. Keep the thesis one sentence only and make sure it is as precise and concise as possible. Sample thesis: In Daisy Miller, James offers a rebuke of nineteenth-century rationalism. Some ideas to get you started, if you want: • You are not required to choose from this list.
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