English Question

Your task is to write a well-structured analytical essay that also applies a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to key characters, themes, or social/cultural/historical conflicts or contexts from 1-2 works of literature assigned in class.

You will examine how internal and external forces shape character development, moral choices, or thematic conflicts, using outside research to enrich your analysis and deepen your interpretation.

Assignment Instructions:

1. Choose Your Focus

Select 1-2 works of literature assigned in our class. Identify a central character, pair of characters, or overarching theme(s) from these texts to analyze using the SWOT framework.

Topic Examples (these are simply hypothetical examples- not applicable to ENG 201):
- Conduct a SWOT analysis of Hamlets psychological state and decision-making in Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
- Compare the thematic strengths and threats faced by women in The Awakening by Kate Chopin and A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen.
- Analyze the societal opportunities and constraints influencing characters in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman.

Apply the SWOT Framework

For each character or theme, structure your analysis using the four SWOT categories:

Strengths What internal qualities or external advantages benefit the character/theme?
Weaknesses What limitations, flaws, or internal conflicts exist?
Opportunities What external circumstances or changes could lead to growth or transformation?
Threats What external dangers or obstacles endanger the character/themes success or stability?

You may choose to organize your essay by:

Work (discuss SWOT for each work one at a time),
Category (discuss strengths, then weaknesses, etc., across works), or
Character/Theme (focus deeply on one character or idea across works).

Use Outside Sources Thoughtfully

Incorporate at least three outside sources to support your analysis. These may include:

Scholarly literary criticism
Historical/contextual research
Psychological or sociological perspectives

Tip: Use databases from GMC Library (ex. Literature Resource Center, Literary Reference, ProQuest, JSTOR, Blooms Literature, etc.) for credible sources. Avoid unreliable internet content.

Develop a Clear Thesis

Your thesis should go beyond summarizing the SWOT categories. It should present a central claim about how the SWOT framework reveals deeper truths about the literature or enhances our understanding of the characters/themes.

Organize and Write the Essay

Your essay should include:

Introduction
- Briefly introduce the works and characters/themes you will examine.
- Define SWOT analysis.
- State your thesis.
Body Paragraphs
- Each paragraph should clearly focus on some specific aspect of your SWOT analysis.
- Use quotes and textual evidence from the literary works and outside sources to support your claims.
- Analyze how these factors affect the characters/themes in meaningful ways.
Conclusion
- Reaffirm your thesis.
- Summarize key insights from your SWOT analysis.

WRITE MY PAPER

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