Brave New World Essay Assignment

1. 
   You will choose one of the prompts listed below.
   
2. 
   You will write an essay, MLA style, which you will develop in 6-8 paragraphs.
   
3. 
   You need to cite regularly from the text and from at least two (2) other sources—you will include a Works Cited page. Keep your quotes short—use ellipsis.
   
4. 
   I WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR PAPER if it has not been turned in to turnitin.com.
   

Due date: May 8

Prompts:

1. 
   Compare and contrast the following sets of characters:
   

• 
  Bernard Marx and Helmholtz Watson
  
• 
  Lenina and John
  
• 
  John and Mustapha Mond
  

2. 
   What is the function of sex, sports, and soma in the New World?
   
3. 
   List and discuss the scientific developments that are dealt with in this book.
   
4. 
   Support the following themes by citing incidents from the text:
   

• 
  Science can be used to control people.
  
• 
  Genetic engineering and psychological conditioning are potentially dangerous.
  
• 
  Hardship, which includes experiencing the loss or death of a love one, illness, disappointment, and related sorrows, increase the depth of understanding of life.
  
• 
  When too much emphasis is placed on materialism and pleasure, people may surrender their individuality and freedom.
  
• 
  Life without commitment, love, family, and a sense of spirituality is empty.
  
• 
  Escapism is often destructive.
  

Your paper will be worth 6 grades, one each for the items on the rubric below, 1 being the lowest (F) and 5 being the highest (A).

General, sketchy Rich in detail

Confusing order Logical organization

Ideas not connected Clear transitions

Just stops—no conclusion Power ending

Sounds bored by topic Enthusiastic about topic

Feels distant, disconnected Holds reader’s attention
1 2 3 4 5
WORD CHOICE
Overused, tired words Strong verbs, clear nouns

Modifier Overload! Well-chosen modifiers

Meaning lost in unclear confusion Meaning very clear
1 2 3 4 5
SMOOTH SENTENCES
Hard to read Easy to read aloud

Bumpy—or strung out Smooth, fluent

Overlong sentences cause confusion Crisp, short sentences in technical writing
1 2 3 4 5
CONVENTIONS
Numerous, distracting errors Editorial correctness

Careless mistakes Attention to detail