I had the opportunity to practice my research skills in literature. The final for my Shakespeare course was a literary analysis essay, in which I developed an interpretive claim of a Shakespeare play. The first part of the essay involved creating a complex interpretation of a play which extended beyond a basic reading of the play. I thoroughly analyzed the play As You Like It and used textual evidence to support my argument. I also used historical evidence to provide the context the play was written in. After I had composed my argument, I consulted other people’s interpretations of As You Like It to situate my argument in the literary world. I incorporated published sources that contradicted and confirmed my claim of the play to show the other research that is being done in my area of interest.

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I learned a lot about research by writing the essay and grew more confident in my ability as an original researcher. I grew more assured in my ability to organize others' ideas into my argument and show multiple interpretations of the play. I had so much fun doing research that was in my English major and extending my knowledge of the field. My love for learning grew significantly through evaluating Shakespeare and writing the essay. I am excited to grow as a researcher in literature, and I know that this experience equipped me for my future in graduate school and my future career.

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I have included my literary analysis essay:

Gender Performance and Essentialism.pdf