(Final Version)

LITR 4533: Tragedy—UHCL, summer 2006

Midterm examination—12 June 2006

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.

Timing: The maximum time limit is 3 hours. You should spend at least two hours on the entire exam. By email you may submit the exam anytime between the afternoon of Thursday, 8 June, and 1pm, Monday, 12 June, but keep a log of when you stop and start. 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.

Length: At least four paragraphs, but this measurement varies with lengths of sentences and paragraphs. The three complete essays copied to the samples in 2006 were four, 10, and 15 paragraphs long.

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.

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.)

Midterm Essay Assignment:

Referring primarily to our four plays, write a unified, thesis-driven essay on the following question: “What is a genre, and why might tragedy be considered the greatest literary genre?”

Organize your essay by reviewing the following areas, citing examples from our readings as you proceed:

• Introduction: set up your answer in terms of your position or thesis on the question
  

• Definition(s) of genre. Briefly review range of ways to define, then focus on aspects relevant to following discussion.
  

• 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—any year. You may directly quote or summarize ideas, but please identify source.
  

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

• Concentrate on the course materials, but don’t hesitate to “personalize” your essay by referring to your educational backgrounds, interests in drama or film, insights relevant to the material, previous study of the subject, examples witnessed, etc.
  

• Avoid copying out long quotations. Quote selectively, highlighting words or phrases that propel your theme.
  

• 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.
  

• You are not required to agree with the instructor’s arguments that tragedy is the greatest of genres. You need to acknowledge some of these arguments, but you may also note their shortcomings and alternatives.

Another way to think about midterm assignment:

1. Demonstrate comprehension of terms (genre, tragedy, other genres, spectacle, etc.)

2. Apply to examples of plays, other examples

3. Share a sense of what the plays offer to students and citizens. What is the significance of genre and tragedy, and of learning about them?

Grading:

• By the weekend of 16-18 June, instructor will email midterm grades and comments to each student by personal email.
  

• Feedback will consist of a “Grade Report” followed by a few sentences of reaction and advice.
  

• Comments will review coverage of assignment and / or issues of style and organization, especially transitions and connections between parts. Admittedly your exam is written under time pressure, but such criticisms remain relevant for any writing exercise, so accept them as helpfully as you can.  
  

• Back to the agree-disagree issue, the best exams exercise critical thinking by comprehending our shared course materials and themes, but turning them over or looking at them from new angles. We have to agree that the questions we’re asking and the texts we’re reading are important, but civil debate about the nature or quality of our work is what keeps its importance alive and growing.

Web postings:

• Some complete or partial essays from the emailed exams will be posted to the course webpage’s “Model Assignments.”
  

• If your work is not selected for posting, don’t feel snubbed. I used to post more examples but have become more selective as the models have added up. Your writing may be as good as some of those posted, but I’ve stopped posting examples that don’t significantly add to or vary from the models already posted.
  

• As with all web postings, if you want your postings removed from the course webpage, all you have to do is ask by email after the end of the session.