THE SHORT STORY ESSAY
ENG 3U1 2010
Your task is to select one of the following topics below and to write a well-polished, five
paragraph FORMAL LITERARY essay using 3PPEs per paragraph including a title page and
bibliography.
THE EXPECTATIONS:










Five (5) paragraphs  introduction, 3 PPEs in each body paragraph and conclusion
Creative and effective title page with appropriate title (not “The Short Story Essay”)
Double spaced, 1250 – 1500 words (6 pages maximum)
Paragraphs should never exceed 2 pages double spaced
Formal literary language (please review)
Correct works cited page in MLA style (see OWL site for requirements)
Essay is worth 100 marks including process and peer editing
FINAL DUE DATE:
You cannot change your topic without consulting me first
You must hand in both final work and process work; if you do not do so you will be
penalized and/or your essay may not be accepted
THE THIRTEEN STORIES STUDIED:
*You must include nine (9) different quotes from nine (9) different stories listed below in your
essay:
“The Flying Machine”
“The Murderer”
“The Pedestrian”
“A Thousand Deaths”
“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”
“The Weapon”
“A Sound of Thunder”
“We Don’t Want Any Trouble”
“Random Sample”
“There Will Come Soft Rains”
“The Garbage Collector”
“Before Eden”
“Men Are Different”
Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Jack London
Kurt Vonnegut
Fredric Brown
Ray Bradbury
James Schmitz
T.P. Caravan
Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Arthur C. Clarke
Alan Bloch
Peer Editing Expectations
 You need to show evidence of three (3) peer editors
 Please note that editors need to be PEERS
 The essay writer has the responsibility to select and motivate editors to provide thorough
details
Please read the topics carefully and notice that topic sentences have been embedded in
the thesis statements provided!
THE TOPICS:
1.
The characters in the short stories studied this semester were too small-minded to see
the big picture. As a result, their ignorance may not only have jeopardized their own
life and freedom, but also may have jeopardized the lives and freedoms of others.
These characters:
a)
b)
c)
Were unable to evaluate the consequences of their actions carefully,
Were resistant to the warnings of others and
Became so reliant on technology and machines that they became paralyzed
from acting in their best interests.
OR
2.
In the short stories studied this semester, humans became so obsessed in their quest for:
a)
b)
c)
The key to life and death,
Superior technology and,
The perfect weapon
that they failed to see the consequential and eventual annihilation of society.
OR
3.
Your own topic provided that it meets the requirements of this assignment and is
approved by the teacher ahead of time.
Where to begin!







Start by reviewing all notes related to formal writing
Be sure to meet all the process due dates as it will keep you on task
There will be some time in class to work on the essay
You should have all stories in your possession – please see me if that is not the case
I will be checking over your work for completion only – just because you get a check
mark does not mean that your argument makes sense
I can be available for extra help and advice outside of class provided that you make an
appointment with me ahead of time
Chances are that there will be no help available in class