Research Essay
Submission Guidelines:
Submit an electronic copy of the Research Essay to Turnitin (available through iLearn at the bottom of the specific assignment page). Paper copies will not be collected. A
Research Essay that has not been submitted by the deadline noted above will be subject to the lateness
penalties described on the syllabus.
Length and Format: at least 1000 words, with proper MLA paper formatting and in-text citations for direct quotations and paraphrases.
In addition to the fictional text you’ll be analyzing, you must consult and cite at least ONE of the scholarly articles written by Lois Tyson that have been provided for you on iLearn, available in the “Resources” folder.
Essays must parenthetically cite any quotations or paraphrases used from both their chosen novel and Tyson’s articles.
Consequently, a Works Cited page must be provided.
(For any questions about MLA format or style, visit https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/11/).
Writing Task:
This semester, we have been using language and strategies derived from certain critical theories to analyze our course texts. Beyond simple close readings of the texts, our lectures and discussions have
sought to draw out psychological, sociological, economic, and existential themes from these works of
speculative fiction.
In doing so, we’ve been making the argument that these works of speculative fantasy have meaningful and relevant ideas to share with us about life as we live it in our reality.
For this Research Essay, you will be applying a critical perspective to one of our course texts: Wells’s The Time Machine, Ballard’s High-Rise, Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness, Russ’s Delany’s Babel- 17. The critical perspectives available to you are Marxist, feminist, or deconstructive, as defined and explained by Lois Tyson.
While this Research Essay differs from traditional research tasks in that the scholarly sources (Tyson’s articles) have been provided for you, you will nevertheless need to read and study these sources closely in order to successfully apply the concepts, methods, and critical lenses contained in Tyson’s writing.
You will accomplish this task by choosing ONE of the following options:
• OPTION 1: Marxist:
In what ways does the relationship between the Morlock and Eloi societies constitute a critique of capitalism, class society, classism, and/or the notion of economic prosperity? (Explore only those concepts you deem of interest.)
• OPTION 2: Deconstructive:
How does the indefinite, unstable, undecidable nature of the Morlock and Eloi relationship complicate our reading of which of them is “oppressed” and which is “oppressor”?
• OPTION 1: Marxist:
How does the social arrangement and behavior of the tenants in the high-
rise serve as a critique of capitalism, classism, competition, commodification, rugged
individualism, and/or repressive economic ideologies? (Explore only those concepts you deem of
interest.)
• OPTION 2: Feminist:
As life in the high-rise evolves, what gender roles emerge among the men and women living there? How do these roles change over time? By the novel’s end, does it offer a critique of traditional gender roles or does it reinforce them?
• OPTION 1: Feminist:
How does the novel complicate traditional notions of “femininity” and “masculinity” for Genly Ai (and the reader) through the introduction of the Gethanian people?
How does this complication serve to critique the human understanding of gender and patriarchy?
• OPTION 2:Deconstructive:
The Left Hand of Darkness explores the nature and inherent contradictions of binary oppositions: male and female; self and other; light and darkness; ally and enemy; etc. Over the course of the novel, how does Genly Ai’s relationship with Estraven lead him to a new understanding of these oppositions and his own complex, indefinite identity as a person?
• OPTION 1: Feminist:
Across its four different worlds and female protagonists, in what ways
does the novel critique notions of patriarchy, traditional gender roles, the objectification of
women, sexism, and/or the “cult of true womanhood”? (Explore only those concepts you deem
of interest.)
• OPTION 2: Marxist:
In what ways do the economic situations of characters like Joanna, Jeannine, and/or Laura Rose serve to critique the traditional role of women within capitalist society? Are women allowed to fulfill the “American Dream”? What role does one’s sex or
gender play in determining one’s economic future? (Explore only those concepts you deem of
interest.)
If you’d like to write about Delany’s Babel-17 (CHOOSE ONLY ONE):
• OPTION #1: Deconstructive: Throughout the novel, Rydra Wong argues for the primary
importance of spoken and written language for effective communication between people.
However, where and how does the novel explore the dynamic, ambiguous, and unstable nature of language? Moreover, where does the novel present alternatives for effective communication between people beyond language?
After choosing your novel and critical perspective, do the following:
1. Read the related articles on the critical theories prepared by Lois Tyson, available under Resource’s “Research Essay Resources” on iLearn.
2. Identify terms, concepts, and analytical perspectives from Tyson’s articles that appear as if they will be useful in helping you to answer the question(s) I’ve asked of you. Make notations for specific quotes you might use.
3. Draft a response to the question(s) I’ve provided that both:
i. Meaningfully quotes, paraphrases, and analyzes the novel you’ve chosen.
ii. Briefly but significantly quotes and/or paraphrases parts of Tyson’s articles that help you accurately present and employ the critical perspective you are using.
An effective response to this Research Essay assignment will manage to:
a) Answer the question(s) provided in a thoughtful and engaging manner.
b) Provide a close reading of the text and its language through quotation, paraphrase, & analysis.
c) Demonstrate an understanding of the critical perspective chosen and researched.
Weight and Grading Criteria:
The Research Essay is worth 20% of your final grade. It is strongly recommended that you seek assistance before the deadline with me during office hours or with a tutor at the Writing Center on campus (Library 334, http://www.marist.edu/writingcenter/).
The Research Essay will receive a point, percentage, and letter grade as per the general criteria listed on your syllabus and the following assignment grading criteria:
• CONTENT (10 points):
This aspect is an evaluation of the originality and quality of your approach to the
assignment. The ideas and analysis in your responses should expand beyond classroom discussion and
demonstrate strong, original critical thinking.
Your writing should strive to discuss intelligently the
thematic content of the literary text you’ve chosen. References to specific literary devices and
elements (metaphor, allusion, point of view, etc.) should be made if relevant.
Plot summary should be
avoided. Your ideas (and response as a whole) should adhere to the criteria and specific instructions of
the given assignment. Texts under discussion should be quoted from in a useful manner.
• DEVELOPMENT (10 points):
This aspect is an evaluation of the structure and completeness of your essay. Your essay should have a logical and coherent structure/order.
Your ideas and paragraphs should be fully developed and not leave the reader confused or dissatisfied. Vagueness and incomplete thoughts should be avoided.
Paragraphs and ideas should transition clearly and logically from one to the next. The essay should also meet the required word count to ensure adequate expression of ideas.
• RESEARCH (10 points):
This aspect is an evaluation of the essay’s success with integrating scholarly research. The research presented should be relevant to the assignment’s goals and your stated topic.
The research should not dominate your essay’s word count but instead be used to augment, enrich,
and further your own writing and argumentation.
Paraphrases, summaries, and quotations from sources should be cleanly and clearly introduced and integrated into the body of your essays it should never be a mystery to your reader as to where your research is coming from.
Accurate MLA formatting and source documentation (i.e. parenthetical citations and Works Cited page) are included in this category.
• LANGUAGE AND CONVENTIONS (10 points):
This aspect is an evaluation of the essay’s use of the written language. Language should conform to
Standard Written English, and your essay’s writing should, in general, be of a college-level, situation-appropriate quality.
Conversational speech transposed into the written word should be avoided (i.e. don’t write like you speak).
This aspect is also an evaluation of the essay’s comprehension of conventional academic writing expectations. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation adhere to the standards of a college setting.
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