Required length: 1,000 - 1,250 words (approx. 4-5 double-spaced pages)

Choose and analyze ONE of the following short stories using close reading techniques: King, Borders Lahiri, A Temporary Matter Alexie, "Three Short Stories by Sherman Alexie" Thien, "Simple Recipes" Please note that you CANNOT write about "An Internet Baby" (which you did in Assignment #1). In your analysis, make an argument for what you think the message or central idea of the story is (concerning life, society, or humanity) based on a close reading of the storys elements: these may include character, theme, atmosphere (mood), setting, narrative style, symbolic imagery, and/or motifs. You need not focus on all of the elements; it may be better to focus on a few in combination: which elements (perhaps 2-3) are strategically combined by the writer to create the overall effect of the story? But please make sure you do at least one passage analysis in your essay, of 5-8 consecutive lines from the story. Directly quote the lines, and then explain their relevance to the storys elements (style, tone, point of view, imagery) and message. Ensure that your essay is unified under a strong, interesting thesis that asks or argues something significant about the short story you choose. Do not simply break down the parts of the story or summarize/paraphrase the plot; be sure to clearly tie the elements you discuss to the storys larger theme(s) or social message(s). Be sure to provide evidence in the form of quotations from the story to back up all major points. Research is neither required nor desired; what I am looking for is your own original thought and not a rehash of a critics opinion (remember that close reading usually involves no research). However, you may find it useful to do some background reading on the writer or time period for relevant biographical or historical context, or to determine the key features of his/her work. Be sure to submit your assignment (guidelines continue on next page)Additional Guidelines for All Essays Before submitting your essay, be sure to consult these format and presentation guidelines. Your essay must: be typed on one side of the paper, using black ink be typed using 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman) be double-spaced and indented have 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins have a good title (NOT simply the title of the story you are analysing) connected to your thesis remain within the assigned word count be written in a formal style appropriate to an academic paper be in APA format contain no plagiarism, with proper citation in APA of all references to the story(s) as well as any additional research done Marks will be lost if these guidelines are not followed, or if you write on a topic that has not been approved. Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is required in this course. Forms of academic dishonesty and fraud (plagiarism) include improper, missing, or made-up bibliographical information, passing off of others work as ones own, turning in the same assignment for more than one class, collaborative efforts when individual work is requested, among other things. Please note that ALL forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited and if detected, may result in failure of the assignment, failure of the course, or worse. Trust me, its not worth the risk!