Purpose: For this assignment you will consider which of our classs themessocial issues, technology, or human conditionis best represented by one of the short stories weve read so far in order to explore the relationship between science fiction and reality.
Learning Goals: In this essay you will practice making meaning of a text by identifying themes utilizing textual evidence in order to argue a position exploring the implications of drawing connections between fictional narrative and reality reading a text critically and interrogatively articulating a coherent thesis that will frame your essay
Assignment: This essay asks you to ground the often strange and fantastic narratives of science fiction in our material, everyday lives. In other words, consider how the author explores, exposes, critiques, and/or celebrates human beings and the condition of being human. Choose one of the short stories weve read so far (listed below) and argue how one of our themessocial issues, technology, or the human conditionis represented. Consider what the story teaches us about the world we live in or ourselves. For example, you could consider how technology is represented in We Can Remember It for You Wholesale. What technology exists in the story? Is it positive, negative, or both? How does it affect the storys society or characters or plot? Is the criticism or embrace of technology warranted, in your experience? Why? Stories: Title Author We Can Remember It for You Wholesale Philip K. Dick Pretty Boy Crossover Pat Cadigan August "#"$: There Will Come Soft Rains Ray Bradbury
Target Audience: Educated, informed general readers of magazines like The New Yorker or Smithsonian
Format & Guidelines: "-% pages, double-spaced, MLA style (& th ed.), !" pt. serif font (like Times New Roman, Georgia, Didot). You will submit two drafts of this essay: the rough draft, which will receive my feedback, and the revised final draft.
Due: Rough Draft: Tuesday #!/"' Final Draft: Thursday #"/#$