Paper  is based on one novel

Guidelines

 

Paper  is based on one novel , Frankenstein. We have

learned that one element crucial to horror stories is a monster. After reading the

 

entire novel , you will write a two- to three-page paper analyzing whether Victor Frankenstein or the

 

 

creation is the true monster in the novel. You must pick one. Then state three

reasons/actions why he is the monster.

 

DO NOT:

 

 

o Claim they are both monsters

 

o Claim that neither is

 

o Claim that there is no monster because Victor is hallucinating, has

a split personality, is dreaming, etc.

 

o Claim that the real monster is abstract/philosophical–narcissism,

society, nature vs. nurture, etc

 

These are all innovative and great and may make a great essay but that’s not

 

 

the assignment. You must make a claim that Victor is the true monster

OR his creation is the true monster and support your claim.

 

Even though it is your interpretation of who the monster is, when you write

 

academic essays, you are really asserting a claim and attempting to convince

 

readers to agree with your stance. To do this effectively, it’s best to create a

 

more objective tone, pulling back on personal statements and writing in terms of

 

what Shelley intended and how readers in general perceive/infer the information.

 

In other words, avoid statements like: “I think the monster is really Victor

 

Frankenstein.” And use statements like: “After careful analysis of Shelley’s

 

characters, readers agree that Victor is the true monster of the novel.” Also, a

 

major pitfall to avoid: Do not claim that the monster is Victor then focus on the

 

creation in the body of the essay and why the creation is not the monster.

 

Throughout the semester, I have been posing questions on the Discussion Board

 

that you have been responsible for. You were then required in some weeks to

 

respond to a peer’s answers. The purpose of this is to cultivate interaction among

 

peers as you are working in such solitude when in an online environment.

 

However, I know that it is hard to routinely read a lot of what your peers have to

 

say. So this second paper is the one opportunity for you to truly HEAR several

 

angles of a discussion, much like in a traditional classroom, and assimilate the

 

opinions of your classmates.

 

For the essay, after you first come to your own observation about who the true

 

 

monster is then read through a handful of each of the four Frankenstein

discussion threads (Storyline Shift, Victor Frankenstein, The Creation, and

 

Frankenstein Finale). Find a few posts that support your observation. You do not

 

need to read through all of the posts for each thread but read through enough to

 

 

help inform your selection. Throughout your essay you will need to include at

least three quotes from two different threads (one per body

 

paragraph/reason). These quotes need to support your claim. In other words, if

you claim that Victor is the monster, don’t include a quote by a peer that focuses

 

on the monster’s compassion. Also, be sure to give the poster credit. For

 

example: “According to her post on the Discussion Board, Suzie M. supports the

 

idea that the creation is the true monster with this statement: ‘The creation’s

 

senseless, vindictive killing of William is proof enough that he’s the monster.’”

 

Remember, your quotes should be

 

 

• Relevant—supporting your claim

 

• Credited to a specific name—not just one student wrote

 

• Varied—avoid quoting the same student

 

• Short—fewer than three lines of text

 

• Embedded in the paragraph—not set off on their own

 

You may also include a maximum of two short quotes from the actual novel.

These are not required but you can include them as additional to your three

 

required thread quotes. The same rules above apply (shorter than three lines,

 

embedded in paragraph, relevant, and attributed to Shelley).

 

I expect that you will write complete, coherent sentences paying special attention

 

to your grammar and spelling. Just because the paper is short and labeled

 

informal does not mean you can pass in sloppy work. There should be a short

 

introduction (identifying the novel and author) with a thesis, body paragraphs and

 

a closing. In order to maintain some structure and organization and avoid the

 

essay veering off on too many tangents, create a firm, three-part thesis to help

 

guide you and your readers. To do this, come up with three reasons why Victor

 

or the creation is the monster. Then use these three reasons as the basis for

 

three individual paragraphs. If you need clarification on something, post it on the

 

discussion board or email me. See the outline and sample Intro below.

 

In terms of logistics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 2 – 3 pages, 1 inch margins all around

 

• 12 point Times New Roman

 

• Double spaced.

 

 

 

• Standard essay formatting—indented first line paragraphs, no extra space

between.

 

 

In essence, you are writing a five-paragraph essay. Here is a sample

 

Introduction. Then what follows is an outline that will guide you through the

 

structure of this essay very easily to ensure success.

 

Sample Introduction

 

All horror stories have monsters. Some are supernatural while others can

 

take on the human form. Authors shape their characters through their actions

 

allowing readers to identify the true evil in the story. In her iconic novel,

 

 

Frankenstein, May Shelley gives readers an abundance of information for two of

the three main characters, Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his creation, blurring

 

many lines as to who is good and who is bad. After careful analysis, readers do

 

ultimately come to the conclusion that the creation is the true monster because

 

he kills William to exact revenge, he frames an innocent girl for his actions, and

 

he blackmails Victor to create him a mate.

 

I. Intro

 

A. An introductory paragraph that ends with a thesis statement

 

that PREDICTS, CONTROLS, and OBLIGATES (check out file in

 

Writing Files). Intros are short and to the point. Start with a broad

 

statement about monsters, then introduce the author and story, then

 

end with the thesis statement—THREE reasons why VF or the

 

creation is monster—focus on ACTIONS.

 

II. Body

 

A. Paragraph—Reason #1

 

1. Topic/Transition sentence

 

2. Expand on reason

 

3. Introduce evidence—quote from one of the threads

 

4. Explain how quote supports reason

 

5. Closing sentence (don’t introduce new reason)

 

B. Paragraph—Reason #2

 

1. Topic/Transition sentence

 

2. Expand on reason

 

3. Introduce evidence—quote from one of the threads

 

4. Explain how quote supports reason

 

5. Closing sentence (don’t introduce new reason)

 

C. Paragraph—Reason #3

 

1. Topic/Transition sentence

 

2. Expand on reason

 

3. Introduce evidence—quote from one of the threads

 

4. Explain how quote supports reason

 

5. Closing sentence (don’t introduce new reason)

 

III. Closing

 

A. Short paragraph summing up your paper. Restate your thesis

 

and reasons.

 

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RECAP

 

 

Select Victor Frankenstein or the creation as the monster

 

 

Determine three reasons why Victor or the creation is the monster

 

Include three quotes from two different threads that support your

reasons (one each)

 

Two to three pages typed, double spaced