Synthesis Essay: The Picture of Dorian Gray (Senior English)
This is a potential assignment that is targeted toward a senior-level English class. Given the challenging and mature nature of the text and the nature of the assignment, I think this assignment would be appropriate for an English 12 class or an enriched English 11 class.
Overview of the Assignment
There would be three main steps for the students to follow in order to successfully complete this project:
- choose a topic to write about (based on conversations we had in class);
- choose a second work of art ( "conversation piece") to write about in conversation with The Picture of Dorian Gray; this could be another novel/story, a TV show/movie, a favourite song, or another work of art of their choice;
- submit a paper proposal that included a description of the conversation piece (and its relationship to the novel and essay topic), a "working thesis statement," and an annotated bibliography of at least five sources (not including the novel) that they would be using to inform their research.