ENG 103
A Literary Analysis Presentation of "Peter Skilling"
Content Outline Due to Brightspace: 05/05
Presentations: 05/07 and 05/09
The idea of this assignment is to explain how a selected "generic" element-in this case of fiction-
supports a thematic thesis interpreted from a short story's topic in a four to five-minute presentation. This
is the task in relation to the short story "Peter Skilling." The specific directions and criteria for the
assignment are as follows:
Introduction (in this order)
Body
1. Create an attention-getter relative to the determined theme (see below) and/or short story itself.
a. Make sure to transition from this attention-getter to this theme.
2. Conspicuously identify a theme (a universal and complete statement about life, place, people,
and so on). Remember, there is no true or correct theme; it is all about what one interprets as the
"moral of the story" so-to-speak.
a. Also note that a word or concept is not a theme in literary analysis, as the theme will
be the central claim of the presentation. (For example, "revenge" is not a theme, but a
topic from which a thematic thesis might issue, such as "revenge is best served cold.")
3. As was the case for all essays this semester is the case for this presentation: a preview is required.
a.
This time the preview should grounded by one element of fiction OTHER THAN
THEME (as that is to what the selected element will speak), but students should indicate
at least two ways (which will constitute the main points of analysis) in which this
element will be used to speak to the offered theme.
1) For example, if using irony as the main element (point) for analysis (students are
free to choose any of the elements of fiction overviewed), a student could
organize the talk in the following ways to speak to the thematic thesis if creating
three points via irony:
a) Via situational, verbal, and attitudinal ironies
b) Via three ironies of one kind
c) Via two ironies of one kind and one of another
d) Via three ironies without identifying their kind
b. Make certain the selected element of fiction is of sufficient scope, which means the main
points issuing from it and the connection to the offered theme from the analyses of the
main points should foster a four to five-minute talk.
1. Analyze the story via the selected element of fiction, integrating specific examples (quotes and
paraphrases) from the story to articulate how that element supports-directly and/or indirectly-
the thematic statement.
2. Make certain to organize the main points in the order previewed, which will also involve
including clear global topic statements.
3. Integrate clear transitions within and between main points to make clear for the class where in the
presentation one is. Conclusion
1. Conclude by explaining how the analysis offered via the main points of the selected element of
fiction in the body speak to the theme (this is a very important step, and it is not the same thing as
the preview, as we have discussed this semester).
2. And, of course, end with impact!
Outline
1. All students will submit a content outline to the drop box on Brightspace at the bottom of Module
#3 folder, which is not the same thing as a speaking outline. A speaking outline should condense
the content outline down to a format that contains key words and phrases to thwart any temptation
to read much, if anything, to foster extemporaneous delivery. Conversely, a content outline is
Ostensibly the entire presentation written out, word for word, but placed into a systematic outline.
a. Note that the content outline represents a substantial portion of the overall grade for the
presentation, with the evaluation based on how thorough and systematic the outline is
(the speaking outline is not collected or graded).
2. Research should not be integrated into the outline or used during the presentation; the talk should
be YOUR analysis.
Delivery
1. Students are expected to attempt extemporaneous delivery, which consists of consistent eye
contact, conversational vocal delivery, and natural non-verbal behaviors. To manifest such
delivery requires practicing the presentation and having a clear and useful speaking outline.
Delivery of the presentation, like the outline, represents a substantial portion of the evaluation of
the presentation and, thus the overall grade for it.
Audience
a. It is acceptable to read a quote or two when such content serves to illustrate and support
an interpretation, but these should be kept to a minimum.
1. This time students can presume the audience is his or her class, meaning he or she can presume
the reader has read the story.
a. A plot summary, therefore, is not required in the introduction and should not exist in the
body. Just make sure to indicate where in the story the presentation speaks at a given
moment to provide the needed context for the analysis.
