Professor
McNeil
English
461
Spring
Semester 2002 |
Due: beginning of class,
March 14, 2002 |
Second Criticism Response Assignment
The Criticism Response paper differs from the Literature Response paper.
Not an "essay," this paper is more a "report." where you summarize the
ideas of another writer. As a "report," your paper does not need
to have a thesis. Instead it should address the following:
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What is the main point of the essay? What is the writer's basic point?
Can you describe in a few sentences what the chief purpose of the essay
is?
-
Can you paraphrase the key points that support the basic argument?
Perhaps summarize the general outline of the essay?
-
Are you persuaded by the argument of the writer? Do you think the
writer's points are persuasive and clear? Do you feel there are any
problems or shortcomings in the writer's argument?
Some suggestions:
Because this assignment is not an essay, you may wish to begin not
with your own thesis but with that of the author you are writing about.
Think of the paper as a "presentation" of the author's work, so organization
and smooth transitions in your own writing are still important.
Since these essays are not generally written for a general audience
they often presume the reader is familiar with sophisticated terms and
concepts. In other words, you may encounter a lot of "jargon" in these
essays. I've tried to choose essays that are useful and relevant
to the themes of the class but that are still accessible and understandable.
Still, don't be afraid to look up a word you may not be familiar with,
or consult with me or others about difficualt concepts and phrases.
Some details to think about for "The Invention
of Tradition":
Your assignment is pulled from a collection of
historical essays entitled The Invention of Tradition. I've
given you the introduction and the first essay: "The Highland Tradition
of Scotland." Since each is a self-contained piece, it might be useful
to address each separately. Or you might address both simultaneously
by describing how Trevor-Roper describes the "Highland Tradition"
of Scotland as an "invented" one.
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Can you define the term "invented tradition"? How does Hobsbawm in
the intro. define the two key words?
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What's the link between inventing traditions and fostering a sense
of national consciousness or national identity? How is one a useful
process to achieve the other?
-
For the Trevor-Roper essay, can you summarize highlights in the history
of the process by which Highland traditions were "invented" in the 18th
and 19th centuries? What role did Walter Scott play in all of it?
Some helpful suggestions for your reading:
See pg. 1-4 for a discussion of "tradition" and pg. 4 for "invented."
For Hobsbawm's discussion of national consciousness and the invented
tradition, see pg. 7 and, especially, 9.
For Trevor-Roper's point, see his intro.
For a breakdown of the 3-step process of inventing the Highland Tradition,
see 16. (Step one: 16-18. Step two [and three] 18-end)
For the invention and popularity of the kilt, see 20-30
For the tradition that different clans wore different tartans,
see 30-end
As for the Literature Response paper, the Criticism Response should
be at least 2 typed, double-spaced pages total.