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In the following essay, consider how three of these authors  Gilman in “the Yellow Wallpaper, Cahan in “A Ghetto Wedding”, and Crane in “The Open Boat” create a narrative and thematic structure that challenges expectations. That is, trace how specifics in each of the given stories lead the reader to think a particular storyline or plot is to be followed, only to be subverted by the actual ending of the story. Trace your own reading experience with the three works, and mention precise moments where the author led you to certain expectations for the subsequent narrative and plot. Remember–the entire point of this essay is to explore twist endings in the story, so your thesis should reflect that and the discussions in your body paragraphs should reflect this as well.
Talk about and reflect upon your own reading practices and experiences sequentially with the texts, in other words. Have a thesis at the end of your opening paragraph establishing what these authors may be doing by subverting narrative and thematic expectations. Then, spend at least one well-developed body paragraph on each of the three stories in question, speaking of reader expectations set up by the author. Avoid too much plot Summary. Focus instead on an analysis of the cultural and aesthetic ramifications of the stories’ unexpected endings. In each body paragraph, you need to have directly-quoted passages to substantiate your points.
Your extended, one-page conclusion paragraph should then attempt some synthesis of the narrative technique and story structure shared by the three authors in their creation of such a story reversal. That is, you would attempt some original comparison of the three stories and their “reversal techniques” in your final paragraph. Try to isolate the techniques in question and name them (literary foreshadowing, symbolism, etc.), in your own words.
Since you’re speaking of your own reading expectations for this assignment, you’re welcome to use the first person in this essay. For citation, provide an in-text parenthetical citation with the author and the page number; for web sources, do the best you can with page numbers (sometimes they don’t exist). Then, provide an end-of-text full citation of the work in question: where you found it, the name of the source, when accessed, and so forth.
Your entire essay should be between 850-1000 words (no more, no less), give or take, excluding the Works Cited page.
Include a “Works Cited” page with the three stories used. Do not use any outside sources besides the three stories (e.g., no internet sources on the stories; don’t consult any online summaries, in other words, and trust your own judgment instead—completely avoid ChatGPT and other A.I.entities). Students are encouraged to use Smarthinking for assistance. I’ll post an evaluation and grade shortly thereafter in the grade book. Good luck and good writing!
BASIC SIMPLIFIED ESSAY/Assignment RUBRIC (this rubric, functioning in deductions of 5 point increments, will be used for all of the assignments in this course–keeping the rubric this stripped down allows me to give you the maximum points possible).
Strong thesis statement/statement or claim of assignment’s intent which sets up the argument and purpose of the paper/assignment:  20pts.
Strong Content/Directions of Assignment met/Text explored with examples provided from the text or texts and well-developed discussion throughout the submission: 40pts.
Use of direct quotes, not summarized or paraphrased sections, from the text to support your insights and claims: 10pts.
Proper and Correct MLA format with Works Cited and parenthetical citations, no floating quotes, no type 2 headers, etc.: 15pts.
Correct Grammar, Punctuation, Mechanics, Spelling, Sub/Verb agreement, etc.: 15pts.