Description:The purpose of this pre-test is to assess your w…
Description:The purpose of this pre-test is to assess your writing skills at the beginning of the course. I want to see how you write and what you think a college essay looks like.The essay should have a clear thesis, at least two supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Do your best to spell and punctuate correctly and use good grammar. No pressure–do your best. You will have two hours to write this essay although I don’t expect you’ll need that much time. It must be done in one sitting. Do not consult outside sources. This exam is proctored, which means that you will be monitored while completing the essay.Prompt:The description of our course is: “American Voices will explore the development of diversity in America reflected in short stories, novels, and film from 1945 to present day. Contemporary fiction contains voices of the marginalized not often recorded before: voices of women, African Americans and civil rights leaders, immigrants from around the world including Asian American Pacific Islanders, Mexican Americans, and Indian Americans. The course will also cover various voices echoing through the aftermath of wars and terrorism to diverse voices of hope and change as America confronts its past to improve its future.” How do you think short stories (and literature in general) reflect a country, culture, or individual? In other words, why do we read stories to gain understanding about the world? Before we begin our study of contemporary American short stories, reflect on your current understanding of the short story as a literary genre. How do you think short stories differ from longer forms of fiction in terms of structure, form, and storytelling choices? What expectations do you have about how contemporary American short stories might use elements such as plot, character, point of view, time, or language to create meaning? In your response, consider both what you already know and what you are curious or uncertain about as a reader. Some other questions to help you brainstorm are:What makes a short story feel “complete” despite its length?How might the structure or form of a short story shape a reader’s experience (as opposed to a poem, novel, film)?What risks or freedoms do you think writers have in contemporary short fiction?How do you expect modern contexts to influence writers’ styles or genre conventions? How will these stories be different from stories published before 1945 in America?Requirements:You will have two hours to write this essay although I don’t expect you’ll need that much time. It must be done in one sitting. The exam may not be paused and resumed at a later time.Do not consult outside sources. Do not use AI tools, such as Grammarly, Quillbot, ChatGPT, and translators.This exam is proctored, which means that you will be monitored while completing the essay.
Read Details