1. Read
Read the story you have chosen: “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury, “Nethergrave” by Gloria Skurzynski, or "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurbur very carefully, making sure you have a thorough understanding of it. This may mean reading the story more than once.
(Option: If you wish, you may compare your chosen story to another work of science fiction you have read or seen. Contact your teacher if you want to try this!)
2. Reflect
Think of the literary elements in the story such as plot, setting, characterization, dialogue, point of view, tone, and especially theme. Also, consider how the story fits into the genre (category) of science fiction.
(Option: Do you feel that your chosen story is NOT a good example of science fiction? This would also be a valid option to include in your thesis.)
3. Write your Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement will give your opinion of the story and tell WHY you feel this way. An example of a thesis statement would be as follows:
“Ray Bradbury’s story “A Sound of Thunder” is a stronger work of science fiction than Gloria Skurzynski’s “Nethergrave” because it involves time travel, has better characterization, and its theme reveals how even the smallest act can have an impact on the future of mankind.”
(This is an example of a thesis statement. Please do NOT use this in your essay.)
Remember, your thesis statement should be clear and valid. This means your thesis is easy to understand and that you will be able to prove it through the explanations you provide in the body of your paper. Your introduction will also briefly state the main points you will cover throughout your essay.
Step 2: Rough Draft
Unit 4 Lesson 4 -- You will not turn your draft in until the end of the unit, but you should start working on it in this lesson so that you will have time to get feedback from a peer, family member or teacher, and revise your work before turning in your rough draft, editing checklist, and final draft in Unit 4 Lesson 10.
Critical Response Essay Outline:
Introduction:
Your essay will begin with an introduction. Your introduction gives the title and author of the story you are writing about, gives any necessary background information that the reader will need to know to understand your topic, and ends with your thesis statement.
Body:
The body of your paper should be divided into three paragraphs. Each paragraph will fit in with the claims you made in your thesis statement. You will use at least one example from the story to provide support.
Paragraph 1 – Discuss how the story fits into the genre of science fiction. What elements or events in the story makes it science fiction? This can include the story’s setting, types of technology used, events from the plot of the story, etc.
Paragraph 2 – Next, choose ONE literary element (characterization, point of view, tone, etc.) and explain how the author uses this literary element to create an effective science fiction story. Do not choose theme for this section as you will use this in your third body paragraph.
Paragraph 3 – In your last body paragraph, you will discuss the theme found in the story. Remember, the theme is the message the author wishes to convey. It is what he or she wants you to learn or to take away from the story. Be sure to explain how the theme is representative of the science fiction genre.
Conclusion:
In the conclusion of your paper, you will restate your thesis from the introduction. Restating the thesis means that you will say it in a different way. Do not simply copy and paste the thesis statement from your introduction. You will elaborate on your opinion about the quality of the the story and why you feel this way. Also in your conclusion, you will briefly sum up the major points of your paper, highlighting what you feel is most important.
Note: When writing Critical Response Essays, always use present tense, even if the story is written in past tense. For example, in your essay you would say, “Eckles steps off the path on his way back to the time capsule” rather than “Eckles stepped off the path on his way back to the time capsule.” Use the present tense of verbs when referring to the events in the stories.
Introduction:
In my critical response essay, I will be discussing the story "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury. This science fiction story explores the concept of time travel and its consequences on the future. Through analyzing the plot, setting, characterization, dialogue, point of view, tone, and theme, I will argue that "A Sound of Thunder" is a stronger work of science fiction compared to other stories in the genre.
Body:
Paragraph 1: The story "A Sound of Thunder" fits into the genre of science fiction due to its inclusion of time travel. This element is a key characteristic of the genre, as it allows for exploration of the impact of altering the past on the future. Additionally, the story's setting, specifically the prehistoric era and the futuristic time travel company, adds to the science fiction elements of the story.
Paragraph 2: One literary element that stands out in "A Sound of Thunder" is characterization. The author effectively uses the characters to convey the dangers and consequences of time travel. Eckels, the main character, experiences the repercussions of his actions when he steps off the designated path and alters the future. The author's ability to create relatable and flawed characters enhances the overall impact of the story.
Paragraph 3: The theme of "A Sound of Thunder" is the idea that even the smallest actions can have a significant impact on the future of mankind. This theme is representative of the science fiction genre, as it explores the consequences of altering the fabric of time. Through the destruction caused by Eckels' actions, the story highlights the importance of understanding the potential consequences of our choices and the fragile nature of our existence.
Conclusion:
"A Sound of Thunder" is a captivating science fiction story that delves into the complexities of time travel and its implications on the future. By analyzing the plot, setting, characterization, dialogue, point of view, tone, and theme, it is evident that this story is a stronger work of science fiction. The use of time travel, effective characterization, and exploration of the theme make "A Sound of Thunder" a thought-provoking and impactful piece of literature in the science fiction genre.