Open Prompt Response #4

Prompt (2004 essays): Critic Roland Barthes has said, “Literature is the question minus the answer.” Choose a novel, or play, and, considering Barthes’ observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question the work raises and the extent to which it offers answers. Explain how the
author’s treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid
mere plot summary.

Student N:
I think this is a nice essay that shows a solid understanding of the novel. It has strong textual evidence, and even works in a quote or two. It gets a little caught up in summary, but it's all relevant to the main point. My one major issue with this essay is that it seems to be addressing multiple questions that the book asks, and it's a little unclear which one is the main point. In the intro, the student mentions the question "Is this the best of all possible worlds"(Student N)? It then proceeds to ask why it wouldn't be. These are two separate questions, and the thesis simply says "the age old question," which can mean a lot of things and isn't specific to either one. Later on in the essay, it asks even more questions, which adds to the confusion. Overall, however, I don't think it detracts too much from the essay, because it seems to focus on the "why" aspect, and still ties in the other questions when talking about how the book answers the main question. I just think it should be a little more clear which is the main question the essay is addressing. One more piece of criticism would be that the reference to "The Prophet" doesn't fit super well and is a little distracting. The essay is strong enough that it doesn't need fluff like that. I agree with the score of an 8 that this essay received.

Student J:
This essay also shows a pretty clear understanding of the book, and it has a clear thesis. It does, however, get a little distracted with summary, and doesn't address its thesis and the prompt as directly and thoroughly as it should. Also, near the end, it switches focus to a completely different question. It starts out addressing the question of "What does it mean to be free"(Student J)? Later, it switches gears to the question of whether or not Huck and Jim's journey is a success. Although these questions are related, the essay should just focus on one question. In general, the essay could be a little more sophisticated and neat, but that's just a minor detail. I agree with a score of a 6, because the essay shows a strong understanding of the book and prompt, but it lacks thorough support and organization.

Student U:
This student starts right off the bat with lots of summary, and continues to summarize throughout the essay. It doesn't clearly address the prompt; it states a question and the book's supposed answer, but it doesn't really get into how book addresses the question. It talks about the novel on almost purely a surface level. Also, there are a lot of syntax and spelling errors, which become quite distracting to the main point. The essay lacks sophistication in diction and tone, and overall it's hard to follow. I agree that it deserves a 3.