Essay 2

Due: Tuesday, April 25th by 4pm (start of class).

  • If you do not turn in your essay (digitally via Dropbox and printed copy) by the start of class on Tu 4/25, you will receive no credit for the entire assignment. There are no extensions. Late work will not be accepted and will receive no credit.


Writing Task & Purpose
This second essay builds on the informal critical reflections we have done this semester, to produce a midsemester reflection about your development as a thinker, reader, writer in relation to science fiction, throughout the course, to date. Your reflective essay should be 4-5 pages (and should include a ~1 page, single-spaced Cover Letter that discusses your drafting/revising process).

You can think of this reflection a close reading of your experiences. This is a personal reflection, so it should be written in the first person, and while you have some flexibility about how you choose to approach it (and you can be as creative as you’d like), your reflection should be a thorough and thoughtful (revised, proofread) piece of writing. When you reflect, you should provide concrete examples to discuss/support the points you are making, and definitely focus on structure and organization, framing your essay with an Introduction, body paragraphs that develop your reflection (and provide examples), logical connections/transitions among sentences, paragraphs, and ideas (using strong topic sentences, transitions), and a concluding paragraph. You should use in-text citations and provide a Works Cited page  for any sources (from the syllabus or external ones) you discuss.

*The following are some things to consider/address in your reflection. You should make sure to address them in your essay, but not to simply answer them point by point, or even in order.

  • How has your knowledge of/thinking about the purpose/power/scope of Science Fiction developed as a result of the readings/discussions/assignments in this course?
  • What beliefs/assumptions have been challenged (or reaffirmed)? How/why?
  • What new ideas have you encountered? How have they affected you? Think about the central conflicts, major themes, big questions, competing values, questions in the Science Fiction framework, if you need some motivation for brainstorming.
  • How might you apply this knowledge to other areas of study (or society as a whole, or your life)?
  • How have you developed as a critical thinker, reader, and writing? What progress have you made? What are you still struggling with?
  • What have you enjoyed this semester? What have you found more challenging or unenjoyable? Why?
  • What do you hope to learn more about in the second half of the semester?

Grading: Essay 2 is worth 10% of your overall course grade.

  • Please make sure to follow the Assignments: Formatting, Guidelines, and Submission expectations, and the helpful tips/strategies provided below and the materials under Writing Resources.
  • If you would like to discuss your ideas or drafts, please email me. I am more than happy to discuss your ideas/drafts with you, at any stage of your reading/thinking/writing process.
  • Plagiarism, in all forms, will not be tolerated. Any essay that plagiarizes will automatically fail (and you may fail the course as well). Refer to City Tech’s Policy on Academic Integrity on the Syllabus and Assignments: Formatting, Guidelines, Submission more specific details.