First essay topics

For the first essay assignment, you can discuss any of the following books: Alias Grace, Monkey Beach, and A Sunday at the Pool in KIgali.

1. Each of the three novels we've discussed so far in English 180 contains depictions of violence or of its effects. How does the violence to which each of the novels' protagonists is exposed affect their perspectives on the world in which they live? In your response, focus on two of the books we've read.

2. Grace Marks in Alias Grace, Lisamarie Hill in Monkey Beach, and Gentille in A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali are all strong female characters who find themselves at odds with the expectations of society and/or family. Choose two of these characters and discuss how each battles against the way others think she should think or act.

3. Create a topic of your own that focuses on two of the novels we've read in the course. Run your topic by Paul no later than October 24th.

Essay length: 1500 words
DUE October 26, 2006

A few tips: First, make sure to cite your sources properly using MLA style. MLA style and my grading criteria are outlined in detail in the essay handout I will distribute in class. Second, make sure to give yourself enough time, even if it's only a day or a few hours to reread and revise your essay. This posting I made last year while grading essays will give you a few ideas as to some areas you might want to review before handing in your essay. Second, these essay topics are deliberately broad, allowing you the room to tailor them to what you find interesting about each book. Make sure to narrow the topic you choose enough to make it something manageable for a six or seven page essay. You could easily write a book on any of these topics, so make certain your thesis is specific enough that you aren't biting off more than you can chew.

PLEASE NOTE: If you find yourself in a situation where you have too many papers due on the same day or all your midterms the day before the essay is due, I do permit extensions. There are a few ground rules though: you need to give me a written request for an extension no later than one week before the essay is due with a firm deadline as to when you will have your essay in. I will also have to agree on that deadline and will sign your letter to indicate that I have approved the extension. Any late papers that do not have my prior approval will be penalized one grade increment per day late, including weekend days. This, of course, excludes papers that are late due to sickness or family emergency. In such cases, the usual rules about doctor's notes apply.

CORRECTION: The next book we're reading is The Englishman's Boy!

Sorry! In class on Tuesday I mistakenly stated that we were next looking at What We All Long For. In fact, we're reading The Englishman's Boy! Have the first 100 pages read by Tuesday, October 17th.

This week's blog topic

By now you will have finished reading A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali. This week's blog assignment consists of two components.

1. In a posting of roughly 200 words, answer the following questions:

What did you find to be the most significant scene in the book? Why do you think it is especially important? Also, what do you think will stick with you the longest after reading this book? Has it changed your perspective on the world?

2. Once other people in the class have begun posting their responses, respond to someone else's posting in a meaningful way (i.e. you need to say something more than "Yeah, I agree.") Maybe pose some questions that complement what your classmate has said or that engage that person or the rest of the class in further dialogue about the issue under discussion. The goal here is to turn our blog postings into more of an ongoing dialogue than a series of monologues.

Have your blog posting and responses posted online by the time we meet again on Tuesday, October 17th.