reflection and response

Assignment: Reflection and Response Read the assigned text carefully, then prepare a 2 page essay reflecting on, and responding to the text. No sources are needed for this, but you are advised to use what we discussed in class to ground your opinion and reach an educated reflection on the text. After presenting what you think the article’s main argument is, find an idea or two that draws you to the article, present your idea(s) as best you can, then interact (critique, explain, refute, etc) with the idea(s) presented. As will all academic writing, this must be cohesive with a clear thesis statement in your introductory paragraph, a development of paragraphs that link to the thesis statement, and a conclusion. A rough outline of the assignment can be the following: 1. An introduction that includes the following, not necessarily in this order: full title, full name of author, main argument of the article, followed by any idea(s) you wish to focus on and your view of them. Any subsequent usage of authors’ names is limited to last name only. If title of text is long, you may also choose 1-2 representative words. Example: (summary in yellow, opinion in green, thesis in blue) In “Death of the Author”, Roland Barthes states that readers must separate a literary work from its creator in order to liberate it from interpretive tyranny. Barthes also says that the essential meaning of a work depends on the impressions of the reader, rather than the “passions” or “tastes” of the writer. He argues that the work is the reality and the physical object that you can see and touch, but the text is held in the language and because of that “the text cannot stop” because the words and meanings are unlimited. In freeing the text from the grasp of the author, however, Barthes completely negated the author’s identity and its role in creating the text and states that. His statement that “Writing is that neutral, … space …, the negative where all identity is lost” is clear indication of the obliteration of the author and neglect of his/her role. As a student of literature, killing the author is especially problematic as we have been trained to look at how texts are reflections of their societies, the author being a member in that society. 2. Three to five paragraphs explaining your main point, choosing a few quotes from the text that you feel strongly for, and that you think you can elaborate on to support your main argument/idea. Quotes are necessary here, but the bulk of this depends on what you think these quotes mean and how they contribute to your main argument. This is not a summary only, but a brief exposition of main points supported by your own opinion. 3. In your conclusion, offer your own general summary of your point and how you supported it, and/or pose questions to yourself and your reader that your analysis opened up and you think are worthy of pursuing.