Project Instructions:

NOTE: This is not a simple comparison and contrast essay.?

This assignment investigates how humans may react to First Contact with aliens. You will use some specified readings from our course, as well as research sources (four) to investigate this issue. Please use Arthur C. Clarke?s short story “The Sentinel” and Stanley Kubrick?s 2001: A Space Odyssey, a film based on Clarke’s story. Noting differences between the written and visual form of Clarke’s ideas will give you one large resource to explore, and don’t forget to look at how Clark and Kubrick achieved their message, using terms drawn from narrative fiction (plot, character, setting, point of view, metaphor, etc.).

How do both forms view this first contact and its impact on society? Are there any differences between the short story and film in this regard? What does this tell us about the limits of each form? ??Your research sources may give you insights to Clark and Kubrick’s work, but you are not restricted to these sources. You can also look at sources in sociology, psychology, etc. There are many possibilities for research sources.

This paper must be four double-spaced pages in length (not including the references page) and utilize at least four academic quality secondary sources. Please note–this is a research-based paper and will be graded accordingly. Margins should be no more than one inch (right and left) and the essay should be composed in 12-point Times New Roman font. Sources must be documented and cited using APA format.

First, this paper is an argument-based research paper. This means you need a thesis that takes a position on how humans might react to first contact. You should have reasons to support your position. Some people get the idea that this is a simple compare and contrast paper It is not. You may use small comparisons when supporting your reasons, but comparison and contrast should not be the focus of the paper.

You need to support your reasons with four sources in addition to the short story and movie. These sources should be academically sound–no personal web pages. Research is a requirement for this paper; it is one of the main goals of the assignment. Writing a paper without research could seriously affect your grade.

Using other movies are permitted, but only one other movie can count as one of the four sources. There is not a limit to the number of sources you can have. If you want to discuss several movies, that’s okay–but not all of them will count in the four source requirement.

Support your reasons by research sources, examples from the short story, and examples from the movie. The movie and short story are different in how they approach first contact, and you can use these differences to support your view, or to show alternative views.

Research papers are graded accordingly. Please put your best efforts into it. . I am also willing to look at rough drafts if you send them to me. I will respond to content and organization only when commenting on rough drafts. I would also recommend downloading the scoring guide and using it as a checklist.

Click here for more on this paper>>>>

All papers should be formatted and documented in APA-style. I don’t remember if I sent you an APA handbook I have, but I will attach it to this email, just in case.

Grading Criteria

Areas of deduction are highlighted in yellow.

Content 80 points

The paper incorporates at least four outside academic sources, in addition to the primary texts mentioned in the assignment. The essay addresses all requirements discussed in the assignment. Appropriate texts are included. The outside sources are relevant and have authority. The sources are not used superficially. Ideas are well developed. Literary vocabulary from our lectures is used to discuss elements from the texts, and these terms are used accurately. Works are compared, and conclusions are made based on what is learned from these comparisons. Personal voice demonstrates a vision of the ?big picture? that the writer wants to portray in the paper; it is not a puzzle of the various pieces being analyzed and pasted together, but a new synthesis that has its own logic and coherence. The writer uses creativity and insight in the essay. Examples are used to illustrate points, and these examples are specifically discussed; if giving an example that focuses on language, the language is quoted and discussed (and documented). The paper includes a thoughtful introduction that clarifies the thesis and a conclusion that gives the reader closure. Reasoning is specific and precise?there is a claim and reasons. There are no major gaps in the argument, and unstated assumptions are reasonable. No logical fallacies are present. There should be an explicit thesis. The writer does a good job of finding unity in the multiple texts, and the paper?s main focus is the author?s claim.

Presentation 35 points

Organization helps the reader to easily follow the argument. The paper is focused on its task throughout. Appropriate transitions are employed. Sentence structure is grammatical and reader-friendly. There are no fragments, and sentence structure flows because of coordination and subordination. The essay is a cohesive whole and writing is coherent throughout. The writer demonstrates precise word usage and sentences are concise. Paragraph development helps to explain ideas in more detail. Formal academic voice is used. Sources are skillfully integrated and acknowledged in the text.

Mechanics 35 points

All pages of the essay are numbered APA-style. Punctuation, grammar, and spelling are correct. The paper has a creative title. There is an APA-style cover page, References page, and parenthetical documentation inside the paper. The paper is formatted correctly (12-point, non-cursive font, 1 ? margins, double-spaced, and beginning of paragraphs are indented). Author?s last name is in the file name.

Click here for more on this paper>>>>