AI in Assessment Example: Level 2

Literary Analysis Outline (English Literature, 100-level)

At this “AI Planning” level of the five-level AI Assessment Scale (Perkins, et al., 2024) students may use Al for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of Al for planning, synthesis, and ideation, but assessments should emphasize the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently.

Course: ENGL 110 – Introduction to Literary Analysis

Assignment Title: Developing an Outline for a Literary Analysis Essay Using AI Planning

Due Date: [Insert Due Date]

Assignment Overview:
In this assignment, you will create a detailed outline for a literary analysis essay on a selected novel. AI tools will assist you in brainstorming themes and organizing your ideas into a structured outline. The AI-generated outline will serve as a foundation, but you are responsible for refining and expanding these ideas into a comprehensive literary analysis. This assignment emphasizes the role of AI in the initial planning stages, helping you organize your thoughts and create a coherent framework for your essay while ensuring that your final analysis reflects your own critical engagement with the text.

Objectives:

To develop a well-structured outline for a literary analysis essay on a selected novel, using AI tools to assist with brainstorming and organizing ideas.
To refine AI-generated insights and structure to create a comprehensive and original literary analysis.
To reflect on how AI contributed to the planning process and how you independently developed and expanded the final essay.

Instructions:

Novel Selection and Initial Reading:
- Select a novel from the course reading list that you will focus on for your literary analysis essay. Read the novel carefully, paying attention to its themes, characters, narrative techniques, and stylistic elements.
- Take notes on key passages, significant quotes, and any recurring motifs or symbols that you might explore in your analysis.
AI-Assisted Brainstorming and Structuring:
- Use AI tools to brainstorm potential themes, motifs, and analytical angles related to your selected novel. AI can help generate ideas on different literary elements such as character development, symbolism, and narrative structure.
- Allow AI to assist in structuring your outline by organizing your brainstormed ideas into a coherent framework. This outline should include sections such as the introduction, thesis statement, main arguments, supporting evidence, and conclusion.
Critical Refinement and Development:
- Critically evaluate the AI-generated outline, refining the themes and ideas to ensure they are specific, insightful, and aligned with your analytical objectives.
- Develop each section of the outline independently, expanding on the AI-generated structure by incorporating your own interpretations, textual evidence, and critical insights. Ensure that your outline provides a clear roadmap for writing the final essay.
Writing the Final Literary Analysis Essay:
- Write your final literary analysis essay (5-7 pages), ensuring that it is well-organized, clearly written, and demonstrates a deep understanding of the novel. The essay should include:
  - Introduction: A brief overview of the novel, including the author, publication context, and a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument of your analysis.
  - Main Arguments: Several body paragraphs that explore key themes, motifs, or literary elements, supported by specific examples and quotes from the text.
  - Analysis: A critical analysis of the selected themes or elements, demonstrating how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the novel.
  - Conclusion: A summary of your main points and a reflection on the significance of your analysis in understanding the novel.
Reflection and Documentation:
- Submit the AI-assisted outline alongside your final literary analysis essay. Document how AI helped in the initial brainstorming and structuring stages, and explain how you refined and expanded the outline to develop your original analysis.
- Write a reflective commentary (1-2 pages) discussing how AI influenced your planning process. Reflect on the benefits and limitations of using AI for brainstorming and organizing ideas, including how you translated the AI-assisted planning into a coherent literary analysis.
Final Submission:
- Submit your complete literary analysis essay, including all required sections, along with the AI-assisted outline and your reflective commentary.
- Ensure that the essay is well-organized, clearly written, and professionally presented, with appropriate citations where necessary.

Evaluation Criteria:

– Depth and Quality of Literary Analysis (35%): Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the novel, with a well-defined thesis and insightful analysis of key themes and literary elements.

– Critical Engagement with AI Tools (25%): Effectively using AI to brainstorm and structure the outline, with a clear demonstration of how you refined and expanded AI-generated content.

– Clarity and Organization of Essay (20%): Presenting a well-organized and clearly articulated literary analysis that effectively communicates your interpretation of the novel.

– Reflection on AI Planning (15%): Providing insightful reflections on how AI assisted in the planning process, including how you modified and improved the AI-generated outline.

– Writing and Presentation Quality (5%): Producing a professionally written and well-presented essay, with attention to clarity, formatting, and adherence to academic standards.

Support Resources:

– AI Tools and Software: Access to AI tools such as [specify tools, e.g., Grammarly, ChatGPT, Thesaurus.com] will be provided through the university’s writing lab. Tutorials on using these tools for brainstorming themes and structuring outlines will be available at the beginning of the assignment period.

– Workshops and Tutorials: Attend workshops focused on AI-assisted literary analysis, covering techniques for identifying themes, organizing ideas, and refining AI-generated content.

– Office Hours: Schedule office hours with your instructor to discuss your literary analysis topic, AI tool use, and strategies for refining and expanding AI-generated ideas.

– Library Resources: The university library offers access to literary criticism journals, databases, and relevant secondary sources. Librarians can assist you in finding sources and navigating AI tools for literary analysis.

– Peer Collaboration: Participate in peer review sessions where you can present your AI-assisted outline and receive feedback on how to refine and enhance your literary analysis.

Academic Integrity:
Your final literary analysis essay must reflect your original work, with AI tools used to support the brainstorming and structuring process. Misuse of AI to generate unoriginal content or failure to critically engage with AI-generated outputs will be considered a violation of academic integrity. All AI tools and methods used must be properly documented and critically assessed in your reflection.

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