Vital Statistics:

• Workshop Dates: No workshops for this paper.
• First Draft Due: No drafts for this paper.
• Final Draft Due: November 1, 2007.
• Conference Dates: No conferences for this paper.
• Length: at least 600 words.
• Research requirements: Minimal.
• Questions? Ask in class. Several of your classmates may have the same questions, and you'll get class participation credit.

Directions:

A good critical review of any type of work will tell you what the merits, strengths, and weaknesses of the particular work, how it interconnects with other similar works, and what the purpose of the work is.

1. Read "Witness for the Prosecution," and, if doing option (b), view the movie Witness for the Prosecution.  I will put the movie on reserve in the Media Center.
2. Evaluate the story / movie and create a thesis statement based on your evaluation.
3. Argue for your thesis using analysis and support from the text / movie, and, if you wish, outside sources.
4. You may, if you wish, use outside research.  For instance, you might research the making of the movie, or read an interview with Agatha Christie about the short story.
5. Cite all quotations, and all ideas, statistics, and information from outside sources, even if they are in your own words. Yes, this includes quotations from the stories.
6. Include a Works Cited page.
7. Revise your work before handing in a final copy.
8. Proofread!  Proofread!  Proofread!  Remember that spelling and grammar count.

You must be organized and focused--in other words, have a thesis statement and build your argument around it.

Your review should be at least 600 words long. Shorter papers result in lower grades.

M. Wendy Hennequin created this page as technical support for her English 1020 classes at Tennessee State University. Last modification: October 9, 2007.