Suggested Reading

Writing

1

Nov. 5

Topic Discussion

What is science fiction? What is magical realism? What is strangeness? What constitutes literary innovation?; fantasy and imagination; history of SF

Preliminary Bibliography

Some primary texts:

• Carroll, Lewis.  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  1735.

• Faulkner, William.  As I Lay Dying.  1930.

• Calvino, Italo.  If on a Winter's Night a Traveler.  1979.

Discussion: Modernism and "make it new"; postmodern newness

Reading Response on If on a Winter's Night a Traveler

2 pages double-spaced, MLA format 

Reading Response on As I Lay Dying

2 pages double-spaced, MLA format 

Reading Response on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

2 pages double-spaced, MLA format 

Paper Outline 

• A Guide for Writing Research Papers: Preparing and Using Outlines  

Discussion: What does Calvino's If on a Winter's Night say about how we read? Are his observations about our reading strange? If so, does that mean our reading behavior is strange?; When does the Reader feel strange? Is that feeling of strangeness a negative or a positive one? What value is attached to strangeness in the novel? How is strangeness seen? Is it a desirable value in literature or not? What is the limit to strangeness? What makes strangeness undesirable?

First Draft Due

• 10–15 pages

• MLA format

First Draft Discussion 

Discussion: the connection between readers and writers, the link between reading and writing; Mechanics: a meaningful title and one that is descriptive of the paper's content; asking a question about the novel, developing an argument, focused rereading; organization, coherence; proofreading

Pre-Final Draft Due

• 10–15 pages

• MLA format

Pre-Final Draft Critique 

Final Paper Due

• 10–15 pages

• MLA format