Essay 3 Prompt

Background

The goal of this essay is to synthesize research into a relevant discussion that analyzes a specific thematic component of Frankenstein. This essay will allow you the chance to evaluate sources based on relevance, credibility, and value, and synthesize multiple researched sources into a coherent argument that uses evidence and analysis.

Instructions

For this essay, you will conduct individual research to relate a specific topic or idea in Frankenstein. Here are some possible ideas you may choose from:

1. Research the myth of Prometheus and examine how it informs the novel’s exploration of power, creation, and the consequences of defying natural limits.
2. Explore the religious imagery throughout the novel, analyze how characters represent and challenge the roles of divine figures, and discuss the implications of these representations on the novel’s themes about morality and creation.
3. Analyze the portrayal of science and technology in the novel, comparing it with modern advancements such as bioengineering or artificial intelligence. Discuss the ethical questions raised by this comparison.
4. Analyze the novel as a critique of industrialization and the technological advancements of the 19th century. How does the novel reflect anxieties about the consequences of unchecked progress?
5. Explore the concept of monstrosity in the novel by analyzing the moral complexities of the characters. Who is the true monster? Discuss how the novel challenges conventional definitions of morality and monstrosity.
6. Research the philosophical debate of nature versus nurture and apply these theories to the development of the monster in Frankenstein. How does the novel contribute to this debate through its depiction of the monster’s growth and actions?
7. Analyze the role prejudice and disability play in the novel with regard to the monster’s social alienation and the effects this has on him.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the possibilities, and you are more than welcome to create your own topic that does not appear in the list above. Use the listed prompts to guide you in the kind of focus and complexity you might achieve in your essay topic.

Sources

This essay will require substantial research. You must include cited information (quotation and paraphrase) from at least 5 sources + Frankenstein. Your research will likely involve both primary and secondary sources.

• Primary Sources include original literary texts and works of art (novels, short stories, poetry, films, etc.), as well as any historical documents from the time period in which the work was created (letters, diary entries, news articles, etc.), and contemporary news articles.
• Secondary Sources include scholarly books and articles about the literary work, historical information written after the time period in question, and any work that includes researched material in its writing.

Though some of your sources may be primary texts you are analyzing or other outside information, at least 3 of your sources must be scholarly sources accessed through the GCC library.

Assignment Requirements

• Your essay should be at least 2,000 words, double-spaced with 1” side margins, 1” header and footer margins, Times New Roman, 12 pt font.
• Your introduction should include a thesis that gives your readers a main claim or guiding idea specific to your focus, which will be developed throughout.
• Your essay must include direction quotations from your chosen contemporary text and should include summary where relevant. It must also include cited references (quotation and/or paraphrase) of at least 5 sources that you have found in your research, in addition to Frankenstein.
• Cite all sources in MLA format (in text), in addition to a Works Cited page. Use Purdue OWL (linked on Canvas) to look up proper MLA in-text citations and Works Cited formatting.
• Proofread for mistakes and edit for clarity. Consider paragraph organization and appropriate transitions to lead your reader through your discussion.

• Essay 3 Rubric

  Essay 3 Rubric

  Thesis	30 pts Sophisticated Thesis is focused, specific, and offers a complex and meaningful thematic statement about Frankenstein. It effectively responds to the essay prompt and demonstrates original thinking. The essay remains focused on this thesis throughout, showing how the body paragraphs develop it and returning to it in the conclusion.	24 pts Proficient Thesis is clear and responds to the essay prompt. It offers a simple thematic statement about Frankenstein. The essay returns to the thesis in the conclusion.	18 pts Emerging Thesis responds to the essay prompt, though it may not present a clear or engaging idea, or may present a topic instead of an idea about Frankenstein. The essay sometimes loses focus on this thesis and may not return to it in the conclusion.	12 pts Beginning Thesis is missing in the introduction, unclear, unfocused, or off-topic. The essay does not remain focused on this thesis.
  Selection of Evidence	30 pts Sophisticated Essay uses a variety of powerful, relevant evidence from at least five credible sources as well as Frankenstein, including multiple direct quotations.	24 pts Proficient Essay uses relevant evidence from at least five sources as well as Frankenstein, including direct quotations.	18 pts Emerging Essay uses some evidence from at least four outside sources and Frankenstein, but it may not be well-chosen or relevant, or may rely on summary. Essay may include evidence mostly from one story and only briefly mention the other.	12 pts Beginning Essay does not make use of specific evidence from outside sources or Frankenstein and may rely on vague references without direct quotation.
  Integration of Evidence	30 pts Sophisticated Essay effectively integrates quotations with signal phrases and other strategies that smoothly lead into quoted material. Summaries are clear and understandable to readers not familiar with the original text. Context is offered for all discussion of evidence.	24 pts Proficient Essay often integrates quotations using signal phrases but may not always smoothly lead into quoted material. Summaries are clear. Evidence may require more context to aid reader comprehension.	18 pts Emerging Essay drops in quotations without leading into them with signal phrases. Summaries may lack clarity. Evidence may lack clearly explained context.	12 pts Beginning Essay does not make use of specific evidence and may rely on vague or irrelevant references to the stories.
  Citation	30 pts Sophisticated All evidence (quotation and summary/paraphrase) is correctly cited using properly formatted in-text citations. Essay includes a correctly formatted works cited page.	24 pts Proficient Most evidence is correctly cited using in-text citations, but there may be minor errors in formatting. Essay includes a works cited page, but there may be minor formatting or citation errors.	18 pts Emerging Quotations are sometimes cited, but citations may be improperly formatted or incorrect. Summary/paraphrase may lack citations. Essay may include a works cited page with errors in formatting and citation.	12 pts Beginning Evidence lacks citations, or citations may be incorrect. Essay does not include a works cited page
  Analysis & Critical Thinking	40 pts Sophisticated Essay examines evidence through thoughtful analysis that explains the meaning and significance of the evidence in relation to the essay’s or paragraph’s main idea. Analysis goes beyond the obvious or common knowledge and exhibits original thinking by offering insights and making connections.	32 pts Proficient Essay examines evidence through thoughtful analysis that explains the significance of the evidence in relation to the essay’s or paragraph’s main idea. Analysis demonstrates some original thinking but may rely on obvious or simple insights.	24 pts Emerging Essay attempts to explain how evidence relates to the essay’s or paragraph’s main idea, but analysis may be rudimentary, under-developed, or rely on obvious or superficial ideas that do not demonstrate original thinking.	16 pts Beginning Essay makes little or no attempt to examine evidence or connect it to the essay’s or paragraph’s main idea. Analysis is wholly or largely absent, and the essay relies instead on summary.
  Development	40 pts Sophisticated Essay effectively develops complex, interesting ideas through in-depth discussion, taking the time to fully unpack all of its ideas. Essay reaches the minimum required length due to depth of ideas and analysis rather than due to excess wordiness.	32 pts Proficient Essay develops interesting ideas through discussion, taking the time to unpack most of its ideas. Essay reaches the minimum required length.	24 pts Emerging Essay may fall slightly short of the minimum required length and/or may use repetition or wordiness to bulk up the essay length.	16 pts Beginning Essay falls short of the minimum required length.
  Organization	30 pts Sophisticated The introduction engages readers and effectively leads into the thesis. Body paragraphs are clearly structured and move back and forth between claims and evidence that connect to each other and to the thesis. The conclusion culminates the discussion by pursuing implications or answers to “so what?” The ending avoids unnecessary repetition and/or summary of the paper, and leaves the reader still thinking.	24 pts Proficient The introduction introduces the topic and leads into the thesis. For the most part, body paragraphs are clearly structured. The conclusion culminates the discussion but may simply repeat or summarize the paper’s main ideas.	18 pts Emerging The introduction introduces the topic, though it may do so in a very brief or cursory way. Body paragraphs lack clear structure and may be either too long (unfocused) or too short (undeveloped). Ideas within and between paragraphs may not clearly relate to each other. The conclusion simply repeats the paper’s ideas.	12 pts Beginning Essay does not demonstrate attention to organization, which may be scattered, unfocused, or lack clear paragraphs. It is not clear how ideas relate to each other.
  Progression	30 pts Sophisticated Clear, effective transitions connect paragraphs and sentences. Ideas move logically from one to the next in a way that progresses the overall argument, each point building on what came before.	24 pts Proficient Transitions connect paragraphs and sentences. Essay may feel more like a list of related ideas rather than a cohesive argument that builds toward a conclusion.	18 pts Emerging Essay sometimes includes transitions. Essay offers a list of ideas that may not feel completely related and may not build a cohesive argument.	12 pts Beginning Essay lacks transitions or clear connections between ideas.
  Writing Style	30 pts Sophisticated Essay uses precise, effective vocabulary and a writing style that showcases the author’s own voice. Essay shows an awareness of audience and establishes a tone that is consistent with the essay’s context and purpose.	24 pts Proficient Essay uses effective vocabulary but may occasionally use vague language. Essay shows an awareness of audience and establishes a tone that is consistent with the essay’s context and purpose.	18 pts Emerging Essay uses relies on vague language and may employ a style that feels robotic or does not reflect the author’s voice. Essay demonstrates some audience awareness.	12 pts Beginning Essay relies wholly on vague or unclear language, and employs a style that does not reflect the author’s voice (i.e. generated by AI). Essay demonstrates no audience awareness.
  Grammar	10 pts Sophisticated Essay is free of grammatical mistakes. Care is shown with spelling, sentences, and punctuation (evidence of editing and proofreading).	8 pts Proficient Essay is free of major grammatical mistakes but may have minor errors in spelling, sentences, or punctuation.	6 pts Emerging Essay includes major and minor grammar mistakes. There is little evidence of editing and proofreading.	4 pts Beginning Essay is confusing or difficult to follow as a result of significant grammar mistakes.