Term Essay

For the term essay, you must write a critical response to two or three of our course texts. Note that a critical response is not necessarily a response that criticizes the books, but one that engages with the books in an intelligent manner: think of it as a scholarly response.

If you choose to write on two texts, neither can be the text you used for your first assignment. You may use the same text you used in your first assignment if you also include a treatement of two other texts in this essay.

Your essay will probably treat a topic or theme common to the two or three books you choose. You are welcome to write about a very specific topic, such as reading in a digital medium or the use of a specific digital technology (such as web browsing, cell phones, video games) in everyday life, or a more broad topic, such as the anxiety of digital technology that is expressed in the books (as with expressions of fear of the Singularity or the loss of personhood). Your essay should have a clear, singluar thesis.

Your focus should be on the books themselves. What are the books saying? How are they saying it? What can we learn from the books? What might we reject from the books? You are welcome to argue in defence of or against any of the (probably major) theories set forth in the books. You are welcome to incorporate as much external material (from reference sources, secondary sources, or other primary sources) as you feel is necessary to support your argument. Document all sources (of ideas and of quotations), including all web sources (whether an author is identifiable or not). As always, plagiarism will not be tolerated.

As with most English Studies essays, value will be awarded based on the depth of the analysis, the complexity of the discussion, the solidity of the writing, and the thoroughness of the support to the thesis.

The essay must be about eight pages long. Essays shorter than seven full pages or longer than ten pages might be returned unread. Essays should conform to MLA guidelines. Essays should have double-spaced lineation. Printed essays should use a 12-point, serif font and should not have a justified right margin. Please use one-inch margins on all sides. Please do not submit the essay in a binder or folder. I am not fond of title pages.

The essay is due in class on December 1st. See Information for the lateness penalties.