Select one of the following options and write a 5-7 page paper (1,750-2,450 words), using 1-2 of
the novels we’ve read. If you work with two novels, you will need to bring your reading of each
together in some way. In order to receive credit for your paper, the novel(s) you select cannot
include 1984 or the novel you were a discussion leader for.
The prompts are designed to give you ideas for the kinds of things you might cover in writing on the
given topic. Do not feel that they need to be treated as a checklist; some questions may not even
apply to one of the novels. What is most important is that your response is pointed toward a deeper
understanding of the text(s) and/or how the text(s) comment on the themes as they appear in the real
world. In other words, your ultimate goal is to explain what larger critique or commentary the
author is making. Consider including the literary terms we have been discussing where appropriate,
but do not feel that you need to cram in as many as possible. Keep them on your mind, and bring
them up to serve a larger purpose rather than for their own sake.
Dystopia
What has gone wrong in the author’s view? In other words, what is he or she warning us about our
current way of living? Conversely, in what ways are readers given hope in the face of the darkest
circumstances? How might these moments of hope comment on humanity?
Environment
What kinds of environmental damage do we see in the novel(s)? What caused it? How has it
altered human existence? What kind of commentary or critique of our own world is offered?
Religion
Each of the novels has strong themes regarding religion (you could include God, faith, spirituality,
etc. here as well). Discuss where we see religion in the novel(s), how it might have changed from
how we understand it today, the characters’ relationship to it, and/or how the novel(s) are
commenting on it.
Rebirth
After the end of the world, what new beginnings are offered? How are these new beginnings, their
success/failure, or the questions raised with regard to them a commentary on our current situation or
the human condition?
Violence
Discuss the social and cultural attitudes toward violence in the novel(s). Where does it come from?
What function does it serve? How do characters’ relationship to it change? What commentary is
created about violence in our own culture?
Morality
Who is good and who is evil is often just a matter of perspective. How do the novel(s) play with
our understanding of who is good and who is evil? What do characters use for moral guidance?
Where does evil come from? Is it created by circumstances or located within humans? What are
the novel(s) saying about our capacity for good and evil and/or the role of each in our world?
Class Divide or Societal Grouping
What kinds of division do we see between classes or groups of people? What are the causes of it?
How do those in one class/group think about or interact with those of another? How is the divide
reinforced or questioned? How do some benefit from it? How do others suffer? What is being said
about class divide in our world? Are any solutions offered?
Develop Your Own Topic
Consider a novel (or pair of novels) and craft of reading that provides a deeper understanding of the
text(s). What angle you take and what thesis you argue is up to you, but you should run your ideas
by me first to be sure your topic will provide ample room for development.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF WRITING
See the handout, Notes for Composing Your Paper, for essential information on crafting a thesis,
offering support, the process of writing, and more. Keep it handy while you are writing.
THESIS
Your thesis should respond to the prompt you select, reflect your own take on the text, and get at
some kind of deeper meaning of the text. This doesn’t have to be the meaning of the text. It could
be one of any number of angles that is determined by you. One way to think of this would be to ask
what kind of commentary the text is creating. What is it saying about some larger issue that exists
in the world? You shouldn’t rely on outside sources for crafting your thesis.
CLOSE READING
Use close readings throughout the paper to support your points. You should examine specific
sections of the text(s) to show how the deeper meaning laid out in your thesis is developed
throughout the text(s). Quote from the important moments, and unpack the meaning of those
moments in light of your thesis.
USE SCHOLARLY SOURCES FOR SUPPORT
In order to arrive at your connections, you should use at least 3-4 sources that are credible,
scholarly, and contain enough depth. You should favor Oakton’s library resources over internet
sources when possible and know that sites like Wikipedia, Sparknotes, Shmoop, enotes, etc. are not
acceptable here.
The criticism that you use should relate to your thesis—you should bring it in to help explain your
points—but your thesis should be your own and distinct from those of the criticism you read. Your
sources need to be cited following MLA style. Pieces taken word for word need to appear in
quotation marks and have a parenthetical citation, while paraphrases and summaries of the ideas
need only a citation. All sources used must be included in a works cited page.
Outside of cited material, the ideas you present should be 100% your own. Rehashing information
found elsewhere without proper attribution is considered plagiarism, even if you’re not copying
things word for word. This is a very serious offense that can have very serious repercussions,
including failure of the paper, failure of the class, and further disciplinary action