Now that you have   completed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, you are in a good position to consider   what critics have written about the novel. You will need a total of two   critiques (also known as critical analysis essays) for this   assignment.
 

  First, use the selection of links below to locate a critical   analysis essay written about the 1818 version of Mary Shelley’s novel. You   may focus most of your attention on this first critique. If the   author of your critique is not specified, focus on the publication of the   critique.
 

Choose from among these sources:

· Romantic   Circle’s Critiques: 

· Critique 1https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/_Belle+Assemblee_+Review+of+_Frankenstein_%2C+March+1818.pdf

· Critique 2 https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/_Blackwood’s+Edinburgh+Magazine_+Review+of+_Frankenstein_%2C+1818.pdf

· Critique 3 https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/_British+Critic_+Review+of+_Frankenstein_%2C+March+1818.pdf

· Critique 4 https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/_Edinburgh+Magazine_+Review+of+_Frankenstein_%2C+March+1818.pdf

· Critique 5 https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/_Literary+Panorama_+Review+of+_Frankenstein_%2C+1+June+1818.pdf

· Critique 6 https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/_Quarterly+Review_+Review+of+_Frankenstein_%2C+1818.pdf

· Professor Naomi Hetherington’s critique https://s3.amazonaws.com/StraighterLine/ENG102/Topic+4%3A+Evaluation/Hetherington%2C+_Creator+and+Created+in+Frankenstein_.pdf

   The questions in the study guides should have helped you evaluate this   criticism in your head. Now it’s time to write it down!
 

  Your evaluation may go more smoothly if you approach the guiding questions in   this order:

Evaluate the critic/author:

Who wrote the criticism you read? What   credentials does the author have?  (If you are using a valid source, you   should be able to find these easily)

Find the thesis of the article:

What is the thesis of the critical article   you’ve chosen? What point does the author want to make about Frankenstein?

Evaluate the thesis:

Do you agree with this thesis? Why or why   not? We’ve covered many ideas in the study guides. Can you find points within   the guides that support your agreement or disagreement with the critical   writer(s)? Look for new supporting information rather than revisiting the   same ones the critics have chosen.

Evaluate the support:

Whether you agree or   disagree with the thesis, does the critic provide sufficient research from   the text and outside references to make a strong case? What does the article   have for support from the text or outside sources? In your opinion, what   makes these references valid? Do you feel the author uses this support   properly?
 

  Next, locate a second critique about the novel that includes ideas somewhat   similar (genre classification, for instance) to any of the discussions you   have in your essay. The second critique can either support or refute any of   the claims in your paper. The objective of this portion of the essay is to   further support your opinion of the primary critic’s thesis or support.   Therefore, for example, if you choose a secondary article that refutes any of   your claims, you will need to counteract those ideas to bring the focus of   your essay back in alignment with your essay’s thesis (your personal opinion   of how the primary critic is either correct or incorrect in his or her thesis   claim and/or how the first critic is either effective or ineffective in his   or her support). Every discussion in this essay should ultimately support the   claim you make in your thesis.
 

  For instance, if the first critic argues that Shelley’s writing is juvenile,   and if you agree, does the second critic also support this thesis? How so? If   the second critic does not support your assessment of the first critic’s   thesis, what evidence can you use from the text to argue that the second   critic is incorrect? Consider another example: if the first critic believes   the novel is autobiographical, and if you disagree, does the second critic   help you argue you own view of the first critic’s thesis? If so, how? Perhaps   the second critic disagrees with your view and feels the novel is   autobiographical– if that’s the case, be prepared to use evidence from the   text to refute the second critic’s thesis and support your own argument.   Using two critiques in this way will allow you to create a polished,   comprehensive Evaluation Essay that allows you to connect your own ideas to   those of seasoned critics.
 

  In addition to addressing each of the evaluative components above, develop   your essay so it has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. You must   include an evaluative thesis statement both the introduction and the   conclusion. Ensure that each of your claims are supported with valid evidence   from the literary criticism you have chosen,the novel, Frankenstein, and/or   the study guides.
 

  Using proper MLA2 style, insert parenthetical citations for all borrowed   information in addition to a Works Cited page for Frankenstein and your   chosen literary critiques; you are not required to cite the study guides if   you use them.
 

Helpful Hints: For a thesis statement, try answering a question   like: How and how well does this piece of criticism state and support   its argument regarding Frankenstein?
 

  You might use these as possible guidelines in crafting your thesis   statement:
(Critic, aka author of the critique) uses (add critic title) to (add an   adjective to describe the effectiveness of the argument such as “adequately”   or “inadequately”) argue that (add critic’s thesis) by (explain why and/or   include your support).
OR
(Critic)’s (add critique title) (add an adjective to describe the   effectiveness of the argument such as “adequately” or “inadequately”) argue   that (add critic’s thesis) because (explain why and/or include your   support).
 

  More specific thesis examples:
 

John Smith uses “Frankenstein Critique Essay” to adequately   argue that Victor’s mother created the first monster by coddling Victor as a   boy.
OR
John Smith’s “Frankenstein Critique Essay” does not effectively   argue that Victor’s mother created the first monster because the novel   Frankenstein too strongly supports inherent good or bad, which means   nurturing roles cannot be held responsible.

The guidelines for this assignment are:

Length: This assignment should be a minimum of 3 typed pages or at least 750 words.

Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:

· Your first and last name 

· Course Title (Composition II)

· Assignment name (Evaluation Essay, Writing Assignment 4)

· Current Date

Format:

· MLA-style source documentation and Works Cited

· Your last name and page number in the upper-right corner of each page 

· Double-spacing throughout 

· Standard font (TimesNewRoman, Calibri) 

· Title, centered after heading 

· 1” margins on all sides

· Save the file using one of the following extensions: .docx, .doc, .rtf, or .txt

Underline your thesis statement in the introductory paragraph.