Friendly reminder: Do all of the assignments for the entire week, and submit them in only ONE .pdf file to the Week 3 assignment submission area, which is located at the end of the Week 3 module. Discussions only go on the discussion boards. Do not also submit them with the assignments. Quizzes are also separate. Thank you!

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Week 3

1. Quiz #2: Important Terms, Part 1>You will be analyzing the specific literary details of texts that you read this semester and how those details contribute to the meaning of those texts, and so it is important to study and review some important terms that you will use in your analytical writing. After you have studied and reviewed these terms, take Quiz #2, which is located in the Week 3 Module. The terms are listed in the instructions for Quiz #2.

2. Discussion #4: Understanding Genres.

A) Watch the “Understanding Genres” podcast below.

Link

B) Watch and read these sections located in the Week 4 Module:

Understanding Genres pictograph

Science Fiction Genre Elements

"Fiction Book Genres--What is Science Fiction?"

"Trekspertise--What is Science Fiction?"

C) Write one paragraph about what you learned about literary genres in general, and about the Science Fiction genre in particular. Also, discuss the purposes of Science Fiction, and its major elements. Post your paragraph on the Discussion #4 board, which is located in the Week 3 module. Respond to at least one other person’s paragraph.

The goal is to have a lively discussion about the definition of Science Fiction and its importance in the contemporary literary arena.

3. Assignment #2: Type Assignment #2 in a word processing file and turn it into the Week 3 Assignment Submission area at the end of the Week 3 Module.

A) Reflective Writing: In Fifty Great Essays (FGE), read "Introduction: Reading and Writing Essays," 15 -19. Write a long paragraph reflecting on what you learned in these sections: Writing Essays, The Qualities of Good Writing, An Overview of the Writing Process--Planning, Drafting, Revising.

TIPS for reflective writing: Write the reflective writing assignments in first person point of view. When you are asked to write about what you have learned, this means that you are reflecting on (thinking about, analyzing, absorbing) the information that you are learning. You need to be writing about how you are learning, your process of learning, how you will apply the information, and how the new information will change you and your writing in the future. This is the critical thinking element of reading and studying. Refer to the Reflective Writing Instructions.

B) Analytical Writing: Read The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect (MPI), Chapter 1>

Then follow the ANALYTICAL WRITING INSTRUCTIONS (e.g. third person, direct quotes, page number citations). carefully to write one long paragraph addressing the following two elements of Chapter 1---

1) Identify and explain how Chapter 1 meets the expectations of a sci-fi novel for Science Fiction Genre Element #2: Science fiction texts are often set in the future, in space, on a different world, or in a different universe or dimension.

2) Explain the title of the chapter, and why Caroline became a death jockey. What does Caroline discover about Prime Intellect at the end of this chapter?

NOTE:

GOOD NEWS! The paragraphs that you write for the analytical assignments for the MPI will form the first draft of Essay #2, so essentially you are already working on that essay. Yay!

WARNING: The first chapter of MPI (and a few subsequent chapters) contains violent and sexual sitations. However, these incidents are important for understanding the overall theme of the novel. In Chapter 2, the action resumes a calmer pace and tone.