LITR 4533: Tragedy—UHCL, summer 2004

Midterm examination—14 June 2004

Open-book, open-notebook exam.  You can use any relevant sources aside from direct coaching or contributions from another person.

Options for taking exam:

·        come to class and write your answers in a blue book or on notebook paper in blue or black ink, or

·        spend an equivalent time at a terminal writing an electronic document and sending it to the instructor at whitec@uhcl.edu via email.

Length and time guidelines: No required length (too many variables). The maximum time limit is 3 hours. You should spend at least two hours on the entire exam.

In-class protocol: The instructor will hand out the midterm at 9am. You may consult with the instructor. You need not ask permission for short breaks. Write in blue or black ink.  Write in a bluebook or on notebook paper on fronts and backs of pages.  No need to erase—just draw a line through anything you don’t read. Turn in your exam at the instructor’s table when you finish.

E-mail protocol: You have between 8am and 1pm to distribute the 3 hours as convenient, but keep a log of when you stop and start. (This log may take the form of brief notes as your writing proceeds.) Pauses are okay, but otherwise try not to take any advantage unavailable to in-class students. You may consult with the instructor by phone or email.

Sending your midterm by email: Try both of the following

·        Paste the contents of the appropriate word processing file directly into the email message to whitec@uhcl.edu.

·        “Attach” your word processing file to an email message. (My computer uses Microsoft Word 2000. The only program my computer appears unable to translate is Microsoft Works.  If in doubt, save your word processing file in "Rich Text Format" or a “text only” format.)

If you cannot reach me by email, save your file to a 3 & ½ “ floppy disk and give it to me.  If you put your name on the disk, I’ll eventually return it to you.

Midterm Essay Assignment:

Write a complete, unified, thesis-driven essay answering the following question: “What is a genre, and why might tragedy be considered the greatest literary genre?”

Organize your essay by reviewing the following subject areas:

·        Introduction setting up your answer in terms of your position or thesis on the question

·        Definition(s) of genre.

·        Major differences between Tragedy and other comparable genres, especially Comedy and Romance.

·        The evolution of tragedy in western civilization.

·        In all these areas keep your thesis or position in sight, and conclude by refocusing on the “greatest genre” question

Requirements:

·        For examples, refer primarily to the four plays we’ve read: Oedipus Rex, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and Desire Under the Elms.

·        Refer to the webpage midterm samples at least once.

·        You may refer briefly to other examples of genres and tragedies beyond this course. You’re especially welcome to refer to student genre presentations and discussions.

·        Even though there are several required subject areas, organize your exam as a single long essay centered on the “greatness” assertion. Make transitions and connections between parts.