Choose any one story, create an argument about how the story explores a modern concern or development related to contemporary science and technology — through the literary genre of the short story.
1) https://dailysciencefiction.com/science-fiction/biotech/thomas-k-carpenter/ten-things-you-should-know-before-crossing-yourself-with-a-lobster-so-you-can-live-forever
2) https://dailysciencefiction.com/science-fiction/robots-and-computers/alexei-collier/apocalist-the-surprising-origins-of-7-everyday-words
3) https://dailysciencefiction.com/science-fiction/clones/christine-amsden/please-stop-murdering-grandma
4)https://dailysciencefiction.com/science-fiction/biotech/kara-allen/i-love-you-and-i-have-the-brain-scans-to-prove-it
Do not simply discuss or summarize the plot and do not simply argue that the story reflects some particular concern. Similarly, don’t simply say that the science in the story is implausible in some way. Instead, make an argument about how the story develops a theme related to modern science. Explore its literary richness as it relates to real scientific concerns. Do not try to make the analysis easy. Aim to explore the difficulties.
Try to organize your essays based on your arguments. Do not simply go through the story paragraph by paragraph.
You must do some secondary research on the modern science issues. Don’t just provide information to fill up space in the paper. Use the science as context and evidence for the interpretation of the story. The idea is to say that modern science involves us in a particular and interesting debate: here is how this short story participates in that debate. Here is what it wants us to consider or conclude.
Further, do not seek out others’ interpretations of the story; the interpretation should be yours.
Essays should be double spaced with at least 1-inch margins. Use a sans-serif font such as Calibri, not a serif font like Times New Roman. New paragraphs should be indicated with an indent, not a space. Essays should list your name, the course code and section, and the date at the top left of the first page. Essays should have a title centred over the main text, but not a separate title page. Remember to use footnotes, not endnotes.
Submit the paper as a Word (.doc or .docx) file.
Required length: 1200 words, not including footnotes or front matter.
Criteria for Recognition
[Feedback for this paper will include an indication as to which criteria have been met.]
Is within 10% of the assigned length, not including footnotes and front matter, and without excessive quotation.
Is formatted according to course guidelines (font, inclusion of course info, margins etc).
Has an original title (eg not “English essay” or “Assignment One” or the like).
Has an introduction that sets out a relevant thesis—in this case a statement about the story engages, thematically, some issue of modern science.
Has a series of body paragraphs that present relevant arguments and relevant evidence. Each body paragraph should include properly cited evidence from the story and, in some cases, from secondary sources.
Has a conclusion.
Has a reasonably limited number of typos and errors of grammar and style. Students should note that not every error will be noted in feedback. Just fixing the errors noted may not be enough to satisfy this requirement.
Uses footnotes for citations without a bibliography and uses them correctly according to Chicago Style and course guidelines.
Distinction
Distinction can be earned with particularly brilliant discussion and analysis.
