Short Essay #1: Themes the Breaks

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
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale
Pretty Boy Crossover
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains

Author
Philip K. Dick
Pat Cadigan
Ray Bradbury

Target Audience: Educated, informed general readers of magazines like The New
Yorker or Smithsonian
Format & Guidelines: 2-3 pages, double-spaced, MLA style (7th ed.), 12 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 01/28
Final Draft: Thursday 02/06