Category: English

In the early part of the semester, you read either Hard Times or Pride and Prejudice. Choose a character from the novel you read. Discuss how the character grows and changes and what these changes suggest about theme in the work. Use details from the novel to support your ideas. Write your response in two or three well-developed paragraphs.
In the later part of the semester, you read 1984, Nectar in a Sieve, or Siddhartha. Choose a theme from the novel you read. State the theme and explain it in the context of the novel. Then discuss how the theme relates to readers’ lives today. Use details from the novel to support your ideas. Write your response in two or three well-developed paragraphs.

TOPIC: WHY COUPLES SHOULD LIVE TOGETHER PRIOR TO MARRIAGE This is an analysis/argument essay. You are making an argument while creating an analysis on a topic and breaking down that argument/analysis. FOCUS ON YOUR INTERPRETATION. This will be a 5 paragraph Research. The intro must end with a strong thesis that has a controlling idea and 3 specific, focused topics. Each body paragraph will cover one of the 3 topics individually. You need to find and focus on 3 very specific aspects that directly support your topic/argument. Make sure every idea is broken down and focused – use your Critical Thinking Skills. Your interpretation matters. Build it up. Remember, a topic sentence does the exact same thing as the thesis except with just one topic – the first sentence of each body paragraph. It must have a specific single topic and a controlling idea.

Frankenstein Essay
Please, analyze and quote the text of the novel only, as your primary source. Do not use any secondary sources or critical essays available online (remember that I always run the plagiarism check through Turnitin). If you want to support your analysis by a secondary source from a scholarly article, you may use a few short quotes only from the essays available within the book itself – Norton Critical Edition of Frankenstein.
Your essay should be 4 pages long and formatted according to the same MLA guidelines as posted in our Bonus Writing Module, as well as in student essay samples. In addition to the entire module dedicated to essay structure and writing, I have also included a few Frankenstein essay samples by my previous students. Everything you might need to review in relation to planning, outlining, writing and formatting your essay is covered on our Canvas page.
Instructions and Essay Topics
Begin by developing a good outline before writing
Formulate a working thesis that responds directly and clearly to the topic of your choice.
Decide which main points (in body paragraphs) will best support your thesis.
Select evidence from the text(s) of your choice in support of your main points.
Write your opening paragraph that introduces the title of the novel and the author. Make sure that your thesis is clear and that your main points are included in your introduction.
Write the rest of your essay and revise at least twice before submitting.
Apply MLA guidelines to your in-text citations Construct a Works Cited page in MLA style
Edit carefully to correct any grammar or spelling errors. I will reduce your grade if your essay has too many grammar, sentence structure and/or spelling errors.
Choose one of the following topics for your essay. Remember that you will have to focus the topic of your choice into your own, precise thesis. After your introductory paragraph, each body paragraph should focus on one major point in support of your thesis, and then analyze that point by offering evidence only from the text of Frankenstein –quotes and/or paraphrased evidence. Always aim for clarity and precision. Avoid over-generalized or generic statements, “universal truths” and plot summary. We all know the events in the novel. I am interested in your opinion, interpretation, and your ability to analyze Frankenstein, supported by the specific evidence that you consider important.
Avoid any plagiarism or AI assistance in any form. I can detect it easily after so many years of teaching experience and it will result in the failing grade on your assignment.
Is Frankenstein a condemnation of blind ambition and extreme pursuit of “scientific” achievement without regard for consequences and ethical implications? Victor Frankenstein’s own reflections on his career would seem to imply as much. Is he correct? Is this what the author wants us to think?
Mary Shelley is careful to outline the progression of the Creature’s awareness, beginning with his earliest sense impressions. This progression seems to duplicate the stages of infant, child, and general human development. Does this account tell us anything important about what it means to be human? How does this relate to his journey from complete innocence to revenge and guilt?
Why does Victor abandon the Creature? Does he feel responsible for the consequences of his achievement?
Frankenstein may seem to endorse the common modem sociological premise that antisocial or criminal behavior is conditioned by rage, which in turn is induced by society’s rejection of its marginal members. Does the novel give clear support to this sociological premise?
After Frankenstein’s change of heart and ultimate refusal to complete the female mate for the Creature, the latter vows to avenge himself on Frankenstein’s wedding day. Through all the long months during which Frankenstein broods over this threat, it never occurs to him that Elizabeth, and not he himself may be the intended victim. What do you make of his rather incredible lapse of imagination? What is wrong with Victor?
Do Victor and the Creature appear as doubles, two sides of the same mind? Does it seem that Victor, in some way, complies with the Creature’s acts of revenge?
Victor had many opportunities to organize the capture of the Creature and destroy him earlier to prevent more death around him. Why doesn’t he do that? Is he able to?
How do the notions of extreme enterprise, blind ambition, pursuit of power and fame, reflect some of the fundamental ideas within patriarchal structure, hierarchical social order and European views of the world in the 19th century, according to Frankenstein?

Goal
One of the best sources for gathering information about what’s happening in an occupation or an industry is to talk to people working in the field. This process is called informational or research interviewing. An informational interview is an interview that you initiate – you ask the questions. The purpose is to obtain information, not to get a job.
Good reasons for conducting an Informational Interview
to explore careers and clarify your career goal
to discover employment opportunities that are not advertised
to expand your professional network
to build confidence for your job interviews
to access the most up-to-date career information
to identify your professional strengths and weaknesses
Instructions
Steps to Conduct and Informational Interview
Identify the Occupation or Industry You Wish to Learn About Assess your own interests, abilities, values, and skills, and evaluate labor conditions and trends to identify the best fields to research.
Prepare for the Interview Read all you can about the field prior to the interview. Decide what information you would like to obtain about the occupation/industry. Prepare a list of questions that you would like to have answered.
Identify People to Interview Start with lists of people you already know – friends, relatives, fellow students, present or former co-workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc… Professional organizations, the yellow pages, organizational directories, and public speakers are also good resources. You may also call an organization and ask for the name of the person by job title. Arrange the Interview Contact the person to set up an interview: o by telephone, o by a letter followed by a telephone call, or o by having someone who knows the person make the appointment for you.
Conduct the Interview Dress appropriately, arrive on time, be polite and professional. Refer to your list of prepared questions; stay on track, but allow for spontaneous discussion. Before leaving, ask your contact to suggest names of others who might be helpful to you and ask permission to use your contact’s name when contacting these new contacts.
Follow Up Immediately following the interview, record the information gathered. Be sure to send a thank-you note to your contact within one week of the interview.
NOTE: Always analyze the information you’ve gathered. Adjust your job search, resume, and career objective if necessary. Questions
Prepare a list of your own questions for your informational interview. Here are some good questions to consider and use. You choose the questions you want to ask for the information you want to gather and learn about the career and person in the job. On a typical day in this position, what do you do?
What training or education is required for this type of work? What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job? What part of this job do you find most satisfying? most challenging? How did you get your job? What opportunities for advancement are there in this field? What entry level jobs are best for learning as much as possible? What are the salary ranges for various levels in this field? How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future? Is there a demand for people in this occupation? What special advice would you give a person entering this field? What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field? What are the basic prerequisites for jobs in this field? Which professional journals and organizations would help me learn more about this field? What do you think of the experience I’ve had so far in terms of entering this field? From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field? If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? Why? What would you change? With the information you have about my education, skills, and experience, what other fields or jobs would you suggest I research further before I make a final decision? What do you think of my resume? Do you see any problem areas? How would you suggest I change it? Who do you know that I should talk to next? When I call him/her, may I use your name? You can interview a teacher, relative, friend, friend of a friend, and much more. If you are having trouble finding someone to interview, go to a department on your school campus and interview a professor in the field.
You can conduct your interview remotely via Zoom. It is okay to do more than one interview (this is encouraged). Get creative! You have options to complete this assignment: Write a one-page reflection or create a video of the person and career field you interviewed:
Who did you interview? What is their job title?
What does a day in the life look like? Was it similar to your expectations?
What steps would you need to take to get there from where you are now?
What types of work-experience or internships would be valuable as you are working toward your final goal?
What is the salary range of the job you chose?
What are some aspects of the job that are most appealing to you? What aspects of the job do you think you would find most challenging or unappealing?
What surprised you?
How did you feel going in to the interview? How do you feel about it now?
Did you find this assignment to be valuable? Why or why not?

Choose any fictional show or film (no documentaries) that features at least one queer character and explore the messages and conversations about queerness that the show takes up. What are the implications behind how queerness is being represented, and how responsible do you find this representation? Since we have already looked at Queer as Folk and Pose, students will be asked to find a different piece of popular culture to analyze.
A successful paper will:
Introduce the piece of media you are working with while incorporating a thesis statement that tells me what the piece of media is saying about queerness and how it is saying it.
Include historical context for the conversation the show or film is picking up. What were the major concerns of society as a whole and the queer community specifically at this point in time?
Provide a thorough exploration of the overall messages around queerness this film or television show is sending.
Engage with any negative implications from these representations.
Offer a conclusion highlighting the significance of your chosen film or television show.
Research requirement: Your paper should include no fewer than three sources.

I would like for you to pick a topic to research. In order to get going on your project you need to have your topic approved by me first. Below is what you are asked to do. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns email me and come see me in office hours. All you need for this assignment is the topic you would like to research and use for your project.
You will be asked to research anything you would like as it relates to the course materials. There are many hot button topics surrounding technology, philosophy, and ethics as it relates to film, art, music, education, etc. You will pick a topic that interests you and explain the current concern. What are people saying about your topic and is it something we (as a society) should have pause for concern? You can write a traditional paper, make a PowerPoint presentation, record a podcast (alone or with your peers), record a voice note, record a video, etc. You do not need to stick to a rigid paper setting if you do not want to. I want you to think about the importance of the topics in class and connect them with other things in the world!

Six page research paper about Israel vs Palestine through history leading to the present day war going on right now. 

This essay regards American Born Chinese (graphic novel) by Gene Luen Yang.
Please review the attached assignment sheet for full instructions.
You can either write your own original thesis in response to the novel or answer the prompt on the attached instruction sheet! Please let me know which you decide to do. 

The length requirements are 500 to 750 words. 
Write one paragraph for each prompt.
You can number these or title each one. I will be looking for one paragraph to discuss each of the questions listed below.
Each paragraph needs to be 7 to 9 sentences, not more and not less.
Use sentence variety and elevated, college-level word choices and sentence structures to express your ideas.
Use MLA format for heading and all other aspects of your final exam. Consider the areas of content, originality, clarity, organization, conciseness, and grammar as you revise and edit.
In this final essay, reflect upon your semester’s experience. Keep in mind this essay is a narrative essay about your personal experience, and the best narratives demonstrate how an event has changed your perspective in some way.
Reflect on how one of the works you read this semester changed your viewpoint on a topic. (for this topic, I have added an attachment titled “research paper” regarding online vs traditional school).
Reflect on how your personal writing skills have improved by what you studied in this class this semester. (This topic can be about me being in school again after 18 years, It improved my writing skills by learning about 
fundamentals of academic writing, including essay structure, thesis development, paragraph organization, grammar, punctuation, and citation formatting (commonly using MLA style). Students may also learn critical reading and analysis skills, how to conduct research and integrate sources into their writing, and how to craft persuasive and well-supported arguments. Overall, English 1301 aims to equip students with the essential tools and strategies for effective communication and writing in college)
Reflect on someone at Lone Star College-Kingwood, whether a staff member or faculty member, who helped you to achieve your personal goals or stay in your program. (we can add my advisor “Kimberly Crenshaw”, she was very motivating and always was there to answer my questions, she also motivated me by telling me about her achievements and goals.)

Needs to be 4 pages long and loosly follow the plot of a murder in a mall and a ending where the killer gets away