Fair enough.
The reason that I'm hesitant to post example questions is that often the best questions are those that are unexpected or so particular to a text that they can't be prompted with a generic model. However, I want to respect the fact that a number of people have said that it has been hard to get a handle on how to frame a question.
My first piece of advice is to reread the assignment guidelines and ask yourself if the question you want to pose can be answered by analyzing the text and engages in a discussion of the work as a piece of diverse literature.
So here's my compromise: I'm going to list some very generic types of questions below and then leave it up to the class to continue posting samples as they hit on questions that seem to work in discussion.
- In what ways does XXX function as a generalization or stereotype in XXX?
- Who seems to be the implied audience for the text? (i.e. What textual clues signal who the author assumes you'll identify with or what knowledge the reader does or does not bring to the text)
- How does the [genre/style/plot/or any other literary feature] position readers to think about XXXs XXX say about the relationship between XXX and members of the dominant culture?
- How is humor/tragedy/etc. used to...?
- How does XXX and XXX work to unravel the dichotomy of…
- What did [plot twist, particular character/etc.] add to the text?
- How does the text challenge ideas about [choose any dichotomy: modernity/tradition, gender, etc.]
- Using XXX’s framework, how would you characterize XXX?
- What does the title of the book…
Sorry to end on a less positive note, but I want to offer a caveat regarding grades: Using one of these models doesn't guarantee a particular grade. I assess how you develop the question and the relationships between the sections of the paper.
No comments:
Post a Comment