Assignment Sheet
Essay 1
Summary/Analysis
IWC 100
W. Scott Olsen
Format:
• MLA form
• A minimum of 8 pages, not including Works Cited
o Uploaded in PDF format to the class Moodle page (Note: PDF format is required. Comments are not possible in other formats)
Due date:
• The rough draft is due (posted to Moodle) by noon on January 25 (for MWF classes) or January 26 (for T/Th classes).
• The final, revised draft is due (posted to Moodle) by noon on February 3 (for MWF classes) and February 4 (for T/Th classes)
Expectations:
• This essay asks you to respond to Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel. You are asked to identify one or more themes in the book and write a paper that illustrates and explains that theme and how understanding that theme helps to understand the book.
• Station 11 is the only required source for this paper, though other sources are allowed if relevant and necessary. Additional sources will need their own citation on your Works Cited page.
• You need to summarize enough of the book that a reader of your essay, who has not read Station 11, will understand your ideas.
• You need to explain the theme you want to talk about and give evidence of that theme’s existence and importance in the book.
• You will need to include many quotes. A rough guide would be three quotes per page. The quotes should aid in your summary and, more importantly, be evidence that helps explain the theme you have chosen.
• You should look to the book reviews we have read in class as examples and models of summary and use of quotes.
• The skills I am most looking for: 1) Appropriate and detailed summary. 2) Detailed explanation of a theme and use of evidence of that theme. 3) Ability to integrate quotes into your summary and analysis. 4) Attention to your own writing style.
• Misc: 1) It will help if you can identify two similar themes (for example, memory and desire) as that will increase the number of appropriate quotes and lead to more detailed summary/analysis. 2) Yes, you can use “I” when appropriate.