Student Essay Slated for Publication in International Journal

10/04/2013 4:26 PM

By Liz Cachey ‘15 

Maggie Cipriano, an English major, was recently informed that she will be published in the 2014 issue of The Sigma Tau Delta Review.

From approximately 1,000 submissions around the world, very few are chosen. Last year’s journals featured only 13 analytical essays and 40 creative pieces. Submissions are reviewed by notable literary scholars prior to selection in the journals. Sigma Tau Delta’s publications are sent to more than 800 chapters worldwide and also are available for reading on Sigma Tau Delta’s official website.

Maggie’s essay, “Religion as the Grotesque in Flannery O’Connor and Dorothy Allison,” explores the role of abused religiosity in works exhibiting the Southern grotesque. The essay draws upon Dorothy Allison’s novel Bastard out of Carolina and Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Good Country People” to emphasize the characters who adopt manners of false religiosity to rise above the socioeconomic repression of the Southern poor. 

The essay began as a project for Dr. Kevin Stein’s course, “Men, Women and Family.” Maggie noted that the piece came to fruition with his supportive insights. For several months, the revision process consisted of continuous reading and re-reading.

“I would consider Professor Stein’s suggestions, make a few changes and return it; he would then continue the process. It was good to constantly review my work,” Maggie said, “Once I’ve finished something for class, I rarely look at it again. It was an interesting process to change my style and voice to fit an essay that could be published in a national journal.”

Maggie is no stranger to successes with her writing. Last year, as a sophomore she won first place in her division in the Illinois Sociological Association’s Undergraduate Student Paper Competition. Her paper, “An Analysis of Family in A Home at the End of the World” argued for the emphasis of “a new, all-encompassing, family ideal” that was evident in the movie “A Home at the End of the World.”

She also is this year’s editor-In-chief of Broadside, Bradley’s literary arts journal. Every year, Broadside publishes a 100+ page journal showcasing creative work by Bradley students. Maggie has been published in Broadside each year while at Bradley.

Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, publishes two journals annually, The Sigma Tau Delta Review, which features analytical essays, and The Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle, which features creative writing pieces. The Sigma Tau Delta Journals publish annually the best writing and criticism of undergraduate and graduate active chapter members of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society.