For essay one, you will write about the meaning and significance of our British "empire" theme, based on our discussions of the term and, especially, our readings for this theme. What is your take-away point about empire? What strikes you as most relevant and interesting about this theme? And what readings do you think best, most compellingly, illustrate this theme?
What is the meaning of the British "empire"? What key ideas and issues help us define and understand the significance of this term? For help and reminders, see your notes from our class discussions but also the NA, pp. 10-14, 28-30, 57 and relevant Course Notes pages. Also, the Queen Victoria's Empire video. Consider the terms "colonialism" and "imperialism" as well as "imperialism" and the "new imperialism."
Then select several texts and selections of texts under our empire theme to illustrate your main point(s)--your thesis/argument--and supporting points. You cannot address all of the readings under the empire theme, so select those (not just one) most relevant to your argument. How do the texts you select reveal key issues surrounding the formation and running of the British empire? How do they represent empire in their depictions of it as well as in both affirmation of the imperial mission and in critiques of it?
Audience: Assume you are writing this essay for English majors who would want to better understand the concept and meanings of the British empire. But also consider all undergraduates who are currently enrolled at a university. And professors at the unversity may be a secondary audience. Would a reader of your essay most likely be familiar with some of the literature you are writing about? More generally have experience reading literature? Have a basic understanding of "empire" but not of specific meanings or terms?
In-Text Citations
**You do not need to use secondary (outside) sources for this essay.
**Since we are all using the same texts from the
NA or the Watson handout, you do not need a works
cited page. However, you should use in-text (parenthetical) citations
for direct quotations from the readings and possibly the NA. See the MLA Handbook, 9th ed.
Select direct quotations serve as helpful examples and let readers
experience the texts themselves. Consider introducing quotations
clearly using signal phrases, e.g., as the Norton Anthology
headnote "Great Britain's Imperial Mission" states, . . . . For
integrating quotations from the readings, see the MLA Handbook, 9th
edition.
Scatch Outline (see handout): Think and plan carefully before drafting and revising. You should use key, direct quotations to support your ideas, but be careful not to use too many. Of course, your essay should be well-written and grammatically correct. To help with planning, you will write a scratch (paragraph) outline before drafting and turn this in with your final essay (5pts). We will go over the format of a scratch outline in class, using your handout. Your outline should be typed.
Formatting: You will turn in a print (hard, typed) copy of your essay. Format: TNR, 12pt, double spaced, one-inch margins, page numbers. Heading (single spaced): Name, Course, Date. Then double space and add your title (not "Essay 1"). Double space again and begin your essay. You can print on the front and back of a page to save paper.
Length: 3.5 - 4 pgs. Please paper clip pages rather than stapling them. Turn in scratch outline + final essay (no drafts needed)
Due Date: October 15, at the beginning of class