Instructions
The Nickel Boys
Genre: Formal Literary Analysis + a Self-Reflective Statement of Process (see below for details)
For the past few months, we have been working on a variety of texts, reading, doing quizzes and writing response essays. Most recently, we have been working on The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. The response essays for the novel gave you the opportunity to focus on Elwood in Part I; on secondary characters in Part II; and finally, on specific scenes in Part III.
Now that we have practiced informal response writing, we are going to switch it up and turn to a formal interpretive essay.
Write an essay in support of the following thesis:
Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys uses a series of techniques such as ________ to explore the contradictory attitudes one may have about America, and how important it is to _________, even when the outcomes of such struggles are/may be _______.
How you complete the blanks will help you to make this thesis your own; moreover, how you build the body paragraphs will also give you lots of latitude to focus this essay your own way. Even though it’s more of a formal interpretive essay, it’s still ok to use the personal “I” voice and to tell how this novel resonates with you. As always, I am looking for authentic critical engagement with the text.
Some helpful (I hope!) ideas for you to consider:
Techniques that Whitehead uses to create a pleasing symmetry in his novel:
- Use of a Prologue and Epilogue
- Repetitive motifs (Fun Town; the Dining Room in the Richmond hotel)
- Flashback and Foreshadowing
- Alternating chapters in Part III (Past and Present)
- Consistent references to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Elwood and Turner as Character foils, (or you can use the word juxtaposition)
- Secondary characters that add dimension to this short novel
Examples of turmoil that your body paragraphs might highlight
- Injustices that are present outside the Nickel School
- The crimes and corruption within the Nickel School
- Elwood/Turner’s emotional confession to his wife in Part III
- The “secret” cemetery at the Nickel School in the Prologue and Epilogue
Your Essay Should:
- Be about 1000 words.
- Offer an interesting title that reflects the essay’s content.
- Construct an introduction that is an attention-getter. Even with the provided thesis, there is plenty of room to make this “your own,” so be sure to write an intro that clarifies your choices and provides a purposeful drive for the body paragraphs to come.
- Build three to five body paragraphs about the text; each one should contain topic sentences, quotes, concluding sentences.
- Quote from the text to support claims, and comment on each quote’s relevance. Please cite properly in MLA formatting.
- Avoid unnecessary summary; refer to details from the text in support of interpretive claims.
- Discuss the text’s craft: Apply terms of literary analysis.
- Provide a conclusion that deepens and clarifies the thesis in an interesting way.
- Finishing touches: edit and proofread. Use proper MLA format overall; avoid academic dishonesty. Go to the “Academic Honesty and MLA” section for details. Do not use AI tools; they are unreliable and after all, this is your essay!
- It’s ok to use the personal “I” voice and express your perspective on the texts (in fact I love it). But remember that your goal is to make your interpretations interesting and persuasive.
Self-Reflective Process Statement;
In the “Comments Section,” please include a self-reflective process statement; cover the following:
- How do you feel about the assignment? Did you feel confident going into the drafting and writing?
- Did you draft and write the essay in one shot or spread it out over some days?
- Did you go to the Writing Center? If so, was the tutoring helpful?
- Did you discuss the novel with anyone at home? Friend? Did you workshop your writing with anyone?
- Did you use any additional resources to help you with understanding the texts? Study resources such as litcharts or Sparknotes? If you did, use this opportunity to go back and cite if needed. Remember, include in the “works cited” AND also use in-text citation format to show where the source was used in your work. Click the “MLA and Academic Honesty” tab for various resources.
- Did you use a writing technology such as a paraphraser or AI (chatgpt etc.)? If you did, use this opportunity to go back and cite. Rule of thumb: if you didn’t write it independently, then cite it. Always better to cite if you’re unsure. Click here for guidelines: https://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/
- Finally, how do you feel about the essay you are submitting? If you had more time, is there anything you would change/add? If so, what?
GOOD LUCK. I hope you enjoy exploring this novel.