English Essay

ENGL 1090 Take Home Exam
Due: 23:59 (NT) 13 Aug
Worth: 25%
Write a well-organised, clearly argued essay of 700-1000 words in response
to ONE of the following topics using TWO of the texts that we have read this semester.
Your essay must use material cited from the text to support your arguments. Do not use
any sources other than those provided in the course for this assignment. Essays must be
written in complete sentences and paragraphs.
1. Character transformation has been an essential aspect of many of the stories we have read
this term. Discuss the way in which experience changes characters in TWO of the stories
we have studied. Some things to consider may include: What causes the change? What is
the nature of that change? Do the characters change willingly, or are they forced to by
circumstances beyond their control? Do they become better people for having changed?
What is the significance of the author having depicted such a change?
2. Conflict of one kind or another is a central aspect of literature. Simply, without conflict,
plot dose not develop. Discuss the ways that conflict is expressed in TWO of the stories
that we have read this term. Some things to consider may include: Do the texts present
similar conflicts in similar ways? What is the nature of those conflicts? Are similar
conflicts presented in dissimilar ways? What social or historical elements affects the
expression and nature of those conflicts?
3. Narrative point of view greatly affects how we come to understand the events of a story
as well as the characters within that story. Discuss the ways that narrative point of view
functions in TWO of the stories that we have read this term. Some things to consider
may include: How does POV affect what we know about the characters themselves? How
does it affect what we know about the events of the stories?
4. Journeys are often an integral part of stories. Discuss the ways that journeys are
represented in TWO of the stories that we have read this term. Some things to consider
may include: What kind of journeys do characters undertake? How do those journeys
affect the characters? How do those journeys work metaphorically? What do they
symbolise? How do characters come to understand their journeys? Are those journeys
real or imagined?
5. Our experience of time is neither stable nor consistent, and much can seem to happen
within a few moments, especially in the form of memories or fantasies. Discuss the ways
that the experience of time (either through compression or dilation) is explored in TWO
of the stories that we have read this term. Some things to consider may include: How do
authors compress action to fit within seemingly small periods of time? How does that
compression affect the production of meaning in stories?
This assignment must be formatted according to MLA Style. It should be typed in 12-point
font, the lines should be double spaced, and the pages should have one-inch margins. The
first line of every paragraph should be indented. Clearly indicate your name, the course
code, and your instructor’s name on the first page of your paper. All pages must be
numbered. The essay should be submitted as either a Word or .rtf file. Other file types will
not be accepted.
Any essay found to contain any amount of plagiarised material will receive a grade of zero.