Essay #1: Theme/Issue/Literary Element

For your first major writing assignment, you will write a 3-4 page, typed, double-spaced essay which works closely with McCaffrey’s The Ship Who Sang or Pohl’s Man Plus. For this assignment, you will identify a major theme, issue, or literary element (such as a specific metaphor or image) in either of these two novels and then demonstrate and discuss that theme/issue/literary element in at least 3 distinct passages in the novel.

First you will identify your theme/issue/literary element and find the 3-4 most significant passages where this issue is presented. The trick is to identify a significant element that is not overwhelming. Return to the novel and mark words that seem significant. Take notes in the margin. Look for specific language use, figurative language (metaphor, simile, imagery, irony, etc), tone, rhetorical devices, themes, and references to specific issues or ideas (such as gender, race, culture, etc) that interest you. Focus on something significant but limited. For instance, gender would be too broad for TSWS but examining maternity might be more manageable. I encourage students to think beyond class discussion to noting other patterns and issues in the novels. For example, repeated references to Theoda’s hands or Kira’s hair.

Having identified these passages, your passage will cite, examine, discuss and unpack the significance of each. Discuss what each specific instance suggests about larger ideas and themes related to the novel and cyborg theory. In your analysis, unpack the quotes specifically, teasing out the subtleties of the language used and ideas in each. Further, you will also need to discuss how these different passages agree, disagree, alter, transform, add or evolve the ideas from the other passages. Note that these passages should not be equivalent. The differences may be subtle or related to development but they will not be the same. Push this. You should feel as if you may be going too far.

You are not required to keep these sections in this order. However, they do need to be organized logically and connect to one another. Research is neither expected nor required for this assignment. I would encourage to work only with the text. However, if you do consult outside sources, they must be documented according to MLA style. Failure to document sources is a form of scholastic dishonesty and will be dealt with according to the policy on the syllabus.

Conclude by articulating what, in your analysis, this theme/issue/literary element suggests about the larger ideas of the novel. Basically, what do you think is the larger significance of this repeated theme/issue/literary element. This section should be contestable, meaning that a reasonable reader could disagree with you. You can include more than one possibility.

Technical Requirements

The essay must:

· be 3-4 pages in length,

· be typed, double-spaced, and in an appropriate font and size (10-12 pt),

· include a brief introduction that ties the sections together,

· cite and analyze 3-4 significant passages,

· have good flow and transitions,

· feature good grammar and mechanics, and

· follow MLA guidelines for style and citation.

Writing Center: I will award a 3% bonus to your final paper grade if you visit the University Writing Center to discuss your paper for this assignment and submit your consultant session record. Be sure to take this prompt with you!

Pre-Writing: You will be asked to complete pre-writing assignments including but not limited to the below assignment. These will be completion assignments and failure to complete them will result in a point penalty to your final draft.

*Bring specifically identified theme/issue/element to class on February 23^rd.

Rough Draft: You are required to bring a complete rough draft to class on March 2nd. Failure to bring a rough draft to class (including absences) will result in a 10% penalty to the final paper grade.

Final Draft is due at the beginning of class on March 4th. You will also need to submit the peer-edited rough draft from March 2nd. Failure to do so will result in a reduction to the paper grade. Late papers incur a 10% penalty for every calendar day.