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Science Fiction
English 315.02
Spring 2004

Essay I

In both class discussion (especially Jan. 15) and in our reading (especially Science Fiction, ch. 1), we have discussed various definitions of science fiction, what makes science fiction different from other genres of literature. Choose one text we've discussed to date ("Crucifixus Etia," "Dark Benediction," Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, "The Land Ironclads," The Left Hand of Darkness, or "The Way of Cross and Dragon"), and explain how the work meets one of the definitions of science fiction. You will want to provide an in-depth analysis of your chosen topic based upon the definition of science fiction you use (and you'll want to make that definition clear in your paper).

For instance, you may want to focus on Darko Suvin's notion of the novum and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? As a novel such Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? covers too many issues, you will want to focus on one of them, such as Mercerism. You would want to discuss how Mercerism functions as a novum (the interplay between estrangement and cognition), why Mercerism and why this interplay between estrangement and cognition is significant to the novel, and what it means. In other words, explain how the definition functions in terms of the text, analyze the significant, and interpret what it means for us as readers. Instead of discussing the novum Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, you might choose to discuss "The Land Ironclads" as fabril fiction, or analyze "Crucifixus Etia" or The Left Hand of Darkness using Robert Heinlein's rules for a Simon-pure science fiction story. Whatever text you choose and which ever definition you use, you will want to discuss the how, the why, and the what: how the text meets (or doesn't) the definition, why it is significant to the text, and what it means to us as readers of that text.

Your essay should follow the general guidelines for written work and be 3-4 pages in length (note: 2-3/4 pages is not 3 full pages).

Your peer review draft should be revised and proofread before being posted to Comment (see the Comment quick start guide as well as the Comment in-help system for uploading documents).

Based upon your peer review, revise your essay at least once. Your essay 1 should be turned in inside a pocket folder (not a 3-ring binder) and include:

• the final draft of your essay, clearly marked as such,
• a printout of your essay, with comments, from Comment
• all earlier drafts of your essay, clearly marked as draft 1, draft 2, etc.,
• any prewriting you may have,
• and a brief cover letter discussing:
  • what changes you made after the peer review and why you made them,
  • and why you believe your final draft successfully fulfills the assignment.
  • Feel free to also include such information as:
    • resources which you drew upon,
    • what you struggled with,
    • what you think you learned,
    • what writing and rhetorical issues you focused upon, etc.
  • This cover letter should be clearly written and well organized.

Peer review draft due: 10 Feb.

Final draft due: 17 Feb.

Last Modified: 26 January 2004

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