Essay 1

basics

A 5 page essay drawn from the close reading of a theory text and one of the artworks of Unit 1 (literary, visual or filmic), in which you explore a question or problem. While your argument should fall within the context of the module (be relevant to characteristics, theorizations, or problems of postmodernism), it is not expected to answer "the question of postmodernism" in 5 pages. Try to be specific and focused in your thinking and do not feel obliged to offer a grand theory of postmodernism as such or a reading of a text in general. Because of the brevity of this essay, drawing on one or two representative or particularly important passages or scenes in your analysis and focusing on a smaller, clearly identified question in your argument is highly preferable to "skimming" the artwork or the theory text as a whole. (If you pick a theory text we didn't read in its entirety for class, I suggest you read the whole article or chapter to have a better sense of the context.)

possibilities

You can choose any of the theoretical texts AND any of the paintings, films or works of literature from our Unit 1. In the spirit of our course, in matters of style and thought you may opt for regret or jubilation, more formality or less--as long as the writing makes you and your reader think, you have some latitude.

suggestions

You need to select texts, and within them passages (or scenes or visual details), that meaningfully relate to each other, but the nature of this relation can vary: they can, for example, "extend, corroborate, complicate, contradict, correct, or debate one another" (K. Walk, How to Write a Comparative Analysis). For example,

• you may use your analysis of a postmodern work to think through a problem presented by a theory text or to extend, adapt or debate it,
• you may use certain key terms or claims from a theory text to analyze a work, or
• you may raise an interesting question by showing a less than obvious relation between the two texts

criteria

I will be looking for quality of thought and the ability to work with independently interpreted evidence, most of all, in this essay. I will be looking for clarity of expression as well. (In particular, try to avoid vagueness, whether of the casual or the jargon-heavy, pretentious sort--a well-known side effect of reading too much postmodern theory.) Write something that an intelligent person with some interest in postmodernity would be eager to read, something that you noticed because you looked at these texts in this particular combination and looked at them carefully and thoughtfully. Keep in mind that your reader is primarily interested in your contribution (your analysis and interpretation rather than summary), but may not be familiar with the texts you refer to, so keep summary and context to the bare minimum needed for clarity.

preparation

Prewriting: close reading of a short passage (or just a few sentences) from one of the theory texts of the unit. 2 paragraphs to 1 page. Due Wednesday, 4 September, 8 am in IVLE workbin.

For this pre-writing exercise, choose a short passage you think merits the kind of sustained, close attention you are giving to it: interesting in its implications, resistant in its difficulty, characteristic of the way the text works (or doesn't work), etc. In addition to giving your reader a good understanding of what the passage means (explication of the evidence), you should also explain what is less explicit in the passage (such as implicit assumption, implications, possible problems or questions). One possible strategy is to devote one paragraph to the first task, and another to the second. Try to avoid vagueness, broad generalizations, undefined terms and unnecessary jargon as much as possible.

Essay for peer review. 4-5 pages. Due on September 16 in IVLE workbin and by e-mail to reviewer.

Peer comments. Due September 19.

Final draft. Due September 23 in IVLE workbin.