FORMAL ESSAY 2: INTELLIGENT ALIEN LIFE-FORMS, VIA CHARACTER & SETTING
FORMAL ESSAY 2: INTELLIGENT ALIEN LIFE-FORMS, VIA CHARACTER & SETTING
GOALS: Now that you all have excelled in interpreting short stories about fantastic characters set in extra-terrestrial,
yet strangely familiar places, in our midterm, let’s continue to prepare for the upcoming ‘research paper project’. Let’s
compose a compare and contrast essay. Let’s also continue to be inspired by the literature, and build on experiences
with different forms of sources, including statistical charts, diagrams and pie charts. Begin by focusing on character
or setting, reviewing the topics below and c) investigating source in the topic worksheet. NOTE: Two expert sources
(required). STAGES: A) Complete topic worksheet, B) Find 2-3 sources, C) Review ALL your data & review story &
email list of sources with annotations – include statistical charts, D) Compose idea map or outline, G) Write essay.
DUE DATES: a) Topic Worksheet Mon. 3/16, b) Email list of Quotes & annotations 3/23, c) Analysis of Quotes 3/24,
d) Idea map or outline Sat. 3/28 e) 2.1 Tues. 3/31 & f) 2.2 Sat. 4/9
RECOMMENDED GENERAL TOPICS & QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
1) What role does gender have in sci fi & science? (Stone/Asimov/Bradbury/1962 To Serve Man/Kress)
2) How does sci fi on geology inform on its science? (Stone/Weinbaum/Simak/Bradbury)
3) How do planetary atmospheres vary? (Stone/Weinbaum/Simak/Bradbury Matheson/Knight)
4) How does sci fi on conformity inform on its dangers? (Stone/Asimov/Bradbury/Serling’s 1960 Third from the
Sun/Knight,/Twilight Zone’s 1962 adaptation of To Serve Man/Kress)
5) What ensures progress of intelligent life forms? (Stone/Asimov/Weinbaum/Simak/Bradbury
Matheson/Knight/Twilight Zone’s 1962 To Serve Man/Kress)
6) What makes language universal? (Stone, Weinbaum, Simak, Knight & its 1962 adaptation & Kress)
7) How do energy sources in sci fi inform on real challenges? (Stone/Asimov/Simak/Bradbury/Matheson)
8) What is the role of technology in space? (Stone/Asimov/Weinbaum/Simak/Bradbury/Knight)
9) What research do creative writers conduct to compose a short work of science fiction on aliens?
(Stone/Weinbaum/Simak/Bradbury/Matheson/Knight/Twilight Zone’s 1962 To Serve Man/Kress)
10) If you prefer to focus on the topic of genetics, and plan to in the next paper, read Nine Lives (1969) and then
compare how human cloning is represented in the story with what experts know about genetics in the 21 st century.
11) If you prefer to work on the culture and technologies of virtual reality, then read Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison
Bergeron 1 (1964), and then compare its theme on the role of VR has in our lives.
1 A pdf version of short story Harrison Bergeron http://www.tnellen.com/westside/harrison.pdf
PAPER TOPIC WORKSHEET FOR 2 ND PROJECT:
Formal Essay #2 asks you to compose a compare and contrast essay. Let’s learn on its parts.
1) Review topics below for our 2 nd essay; which are your 2 favorite topics?
A)
B)
2) Why are they your top two?
3) Which stories come to mind for each topic?
A)
B)
4) Review the sources affiliated with each of your top 2 topics. Which 1 is your top choice?
5) Why?
6) Begin collecting quotes from all provide sources. List them & explain what you learn about your chosen topic.
7) How do the sources help you to address the hypothesis asked?
8) Focus on provided statistical charts and diagrams from the sources. How do these visual texts help you to understand
your topic?
9) Do you have questions on your progress thus far?
NOTE: Email worksheet in Blackboard email to Professor Espinoza. Next, review the ‘guide’ for your annotated works cited.
LIST OF PAPER TOPICS AND SOURCES FOR FORMAL ESSAY 2
1) The role of languages & its value in sci fi emphasizes how humanity shares ideas about the world. Studies on many aspects
of language also inform on the value of language. Work with one of the short stories and compare what you learn about
language with at least two sources. Ask, why is language significant among different communities?
a)On the basics of bilingualism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmOLN5zBLY
b)On language and communication – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDhlOovaGrI
c)On multilingualism and the mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nchNoLr2U10
d)On multilingualism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSs1uCnLbaQ
2) The role of energy as a resource is a prevailing subject in science fiction. Since all societies need an energy reserve to
thrive, many researchers are quite invested in maximizing our renewable energies as we reduce greenhouse gases. Work with
one story and at least two science-based sources on energy. Ask, how can we rely on sustainable energy?
a)Dr. Shellenberger on nuclear energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZXUR4z2P9w
b)Dr. MacKay’s 213 lecture on renewable energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0W1ZZYIV8o
3) Stone & Kress address the role of gender & inequalities, while researchers enlighten on its plurality. Work with one story
and at least two sources and begin by asking, what are the facts about gender and its role in equality?
a)Metcalf’s 2015 Native American perspective on gender https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICWB8pfGBvc
b)Entrepreneur & activist Tiffany Jana’s 2014 filmed lecture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0acvkHIiZs
c)Statistics, diagrams and or charts from their filmed lectures (above)
4) Learning about planetary terrain (Mars & Jupiter) has fascinated readers and scientists alike. While readers
experience how we can imagine Mars and Jupiter, we now have extraterrestrial space probes and robots to inform us about
other planets. Work with one story and two science-based sources, and ask, how can humanity learn about planetary history
from other planets? NASA https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/earthflyby.html#.WqMKyGrwbX5
a)Dr. Nichols on Juno probe to Jupiter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTwjtPySt7I
b)Space probe to Jupiter https://www.missionjuno.swri.edu/origin/ & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmHOj8VQvNE ,
c)Dr. Nathalie Cabrol on Mars & life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxCtIdI3xL0 & Diagrams and charts
d)Dr. Tyson on Sagan’s research on Venus and its greenhouse effect – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VUPIX7yEOM
e)Climatologist Dr. Hansen https://www.ted.com/talks/james_hansen_why_i_must_speak_out_about_climate_change
5) While sci fi imagines alien intelligence, scientists are enthralled on its probability. Work with one story and two science-
based sources and ask, are we the only intelligent life form in the universe?
a) Dr. James Green’s informs on ‘ingredients of life’ beyond earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1sbSJK1LiI
b) Dr. Siemion’s 2016 filmed lecture on alien intelligence – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJMBwqhD9DE
c) Dr. Shostak’s 2012 filmed lecture on extraterrestrial life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVV4zRuE1mw
6) On the topic of human intelligence, authors like Stone, Knight & Kress address our challenges of reason and critical thinking.
Work with one story and two science-based sources and ask, what is our intellectual potential like?
a) Dr. Grinde 2014 filmed lecture on consciousness, scientifically https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUxsOgXjqUs
b) Neurologist on human brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7_XH1CBzGw
c) On the basic of the human brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2a6lekGkgQ
d) On the anatomy of the brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKc8nfPATI
7)The role of robotics in space has become a reality in the recent decades, and in sci fi robots are entangled I futuristic stories
where we rely on machines to survive. Compare Asimov’s story Reason with current challenges and benefits of robotics
a) On the robots we engage in to enhance our lives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Ol4jXEgq4
b) On the agility and talents of robots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO4In7d6X-c
c) On ‘origami’ robots that can navigate effectively and efficiently https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTIjvPLkJgo
8) Many sci fi authors and scientists alike have asked, what are the benefits of space travel? Work with one story and two
science-based sources to explore this hypothesis.
a) 1946 documentary on how radio waves help us to listen to extraterrestrial phenomenon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAiC6J89Tr0
b) Dr. Neil degrease Tyson on ‘space settlements’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCDrVLxjh8
c) Stephen Hawkins on space travel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B91cd3DOHL4
d) 2015 filmed lecture by Astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz on our space probes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2KQoHMCwlw
e) 2012 filmed lecture by Dr. Charles Elachi of NASA on Martian exploration the Rover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NJ9GLxzOQ
f) Statistics, diagrams and or charts from their filmed lectures (above)
9) What do we know about the science of creativity, in order to understand the creative process of composing science fiction?
a) Author expresses the short comings of success in writing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA&t=859s
b) Creative innovator shares the limitlessness of creativity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR4jbI3Ds9A
c) On the ‘process of creating ideas’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln1ggxYoh2g
10) If you prefer to focus on the topic of genetics, and plan to in the next paper, read Nine Lives (1969) and then
compare how human cloning is represented in the story with what experts know in the 21 st century.
a)On how to read the human ‘genome’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6rJLXq1Re0
b) On how to ‘interpret the human genome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mph3GfDKM-o
LIST OF READINGS:
1) Leslie F. Stone Conquest of Gola (1931)
2) Stanley Weinbaum’s A Martian Odyssey (1934)
3) Simak’s Desertion (1944)
4) Isaac Asimov’s Reason (1941)
5) Ray Bradbury’s Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed (1950)
6) Damon Knight’s To Serve Man (1950)
7) Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone adaptation of Knight’s To Serve Man (1962)
7) Nancy Kress’s Out of All of Them Stars (1985)
ASPECTS OF THE LITERATURE – elements of fiction & ‘ingredients’ of literature
1) Plot: a) exposition, b) rising action, c) climax, d) falling action, & e) denouement (resolution).
2) Setting & Time: the time period, geographic place & cosmological location
3) Character: a) protagonist, b) antagonist, c) anti-hero, d) hero, & e) flat character
4) Point of view: a) 1 st person narrator, b) 2 nd person narrator, c) 3 rd person limited, & d) 3 rd person omniscient.
5) Irony: a) paradoxical topics b) dramatic irony
6) Theme: a) an author’s explication of the meaning of a piece of literature b) one of several arguments that the
piece of literature makes via figurative language & c) interpretation if a piece of literature from the standpoint of
theoretical applications.
7) Tone: The mood of a narrator and or a piece of literature that is attributed to its atmospheric characteristics, which
may be foreboding, ironic and or thematic.
8) Figurative language: aspects of literature are rarely literal; hence, when working with character and setting be
mindful of their multiple significances.
