The literary criticism essay is your final assessment for Major Latin American and Caribbean Writers. The
purpose of this assignment is for you to develop a literary critique of a text from the syllabus, basing your
analysis upon an understanding of a discourse (topic) that spans the selected text. The literary criticism
essay counts for 20% of your grade, and the draft counts for 10%. The draft is due on Friday, April 23, and
the final essay is due on Friday, May 7.

1. Critically re-read one text from the syllabus
2. Read at least four secondary texts that are related to the primary literary text
3. Develop an original thesis on the primary literary text, author, and corresponding discourse(s)
that is based in your research and analysis of all of texts you have consulted (see next page
for sample topics)
4. Write an 8-9 page literary criticism paper, (this includes your Works Cited page) on the
primary literary text, which is anchored in your thesis and incorporates your research (see
above)

Your literary criticism essay must meet the following criteria:
1. 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced (double space cited passages also)
2. Essay length: 8-9 pages (this includes Works Cited page)
3. Formatted using MLA or APA style
4. Analysis is based on 1 primary literary text from the syllabus
5. 4 secondary sources at a minimum. These sources must be clearly cited in your essay
6. You should conduct a close, textual analysis of the primary literary texts in the body of your essay,
frequently citing passages and analyzing them in accordance with your thesis

You may choose to research and write about any topic, subject or theme pertinent to the texts,
writers, and discourses (topics) that have been discussed so far this semester, or which will be
discussed in coming weeks. Below is a partial list of topics you may wish to consider:

. Magic realism and historical truth in One Hundred Years of Solitude
.The politics of independence and colonization in One Hundred Years of Solitude
.Discourses of mestizaje in One Hundred Years of Solitude

READING IS ATTACHED