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.
If you need some help organizing your ideas, you can use this worksheet as your rough draft.
Critical Response Essay Outline:
Introduction:
- State the title and author of the story (choose one of the three mentioned)
- Provide necessary background information to understand the topic
- End with a clear thesis statement expressing your opinion of the story and the reasons why
Body:
Paragraph 1:
- Explain how the story fits into the science fiction genre
- Discuss elements or events in the story that make it science fiction, such as the setting, technology used, or the plot
Paragraph 2:
- Choose one literary element (characterization, point of view, tone, etc.)
- Explain how the author uses this element to create an effective science fiction story
- Provide examples from the story to support your explanation
Paragraph 3:
- Discuss the theme found in the story
- Explain how the theme is representative of the science fiction genre
- Provide examples from the story to support your explanation
Conclusion:
- Restate the thesis in a different way, elaborating on your opinion of the story
- Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs
- Highlight the most important aspects of your analysis
The one I chose is the secret life of walter mitty
Critical Response Essay Outline: "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber
Introduction:
- State the title and author of the story: "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber
- Provide necessary background information: Briefly introduce the main character, Walter Mitty, who daydreams to escape his mundane life
- End with a clear thesis statement expressing your opinion of the story and the reasons why: "James Thurber's 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' is a captivating work of science fiction that explores the power of imagination and the escapism it offers, presenting a relatable theme and employing effective characterization."
Body:
Paragraph 1:
- Explain how the story fits into the science fiction genre: Discuss the elements that make it science fiction, such as the use of daydreaming as a vehicle to transport the protagonist to different imaginary worlds and scenarios
- Discuss events in the story that make it science fiction: Explore Walter Mitty's vivid and fantastical daydreams, including his role as a heroic pilot, surgeon, and defendant in a courtroom
Paragraph 2:
- Choose one literary element: Focus on characterization
- Explain how the author uses characterization to create an effective science fiction story: Highlight Walter Mitty's characterization as a submissive and unremarkable man in his real life, contrasted with the bold and confident characters he becomes in his daydreams
- Provide examples from the story to support your explanation: Quote instances where Walter Mitty transforms into different personas, displaying courage and competence that he lacks in reality
Paragraph 3:
- Discuss the theme found in the story: Emphasize the theme of escapism and the power of imagination
- Explain how the theme is representative of the science fiction genre: Comment on how science fiction often explores alternate realities or possibilities, and in this story, Walter Mitty's daydreams transport him to different scenarios and allow him to temporarily escape his ordinary life
- Provide examples from the story to support your explanation: Choose specific instances where Walter Mitty's daydreams provide him with excitement, confidence, and adventure
Conclusion:
- Restate the thesis in a different way, elaborating on your opinion of the story: Reiterate the captivating nature of the story and the exploration of imagination and escapism within the science fiction genre
- Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs: Recap the elements of science fiction, effective use of characterization, and the theme of escapism
- Highlight the most important aspects of your analysis: Emphasize the relatable theme and the way Thurber brings the science fiction genre to life in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."
what is the plot and etc.
Plot:
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" follows the daydreaming escapades of its eponymous protagonist, Walter Mitty. Throughout the story, Walter Mitty escapes his mundane and monotonous reality by engaging in elaborate daydreams, where he becomes a heroic and accomplished individual. Each daydream transports him to a different setting and profession, showcasing his bravery and skill. However, each fantasy is interrupted by someone or something in the real world, bringing Walter back to reality.
In his daydreams, Walter Mitty is a successful surgeon, a daring pilot, a commander in a war zone, a defendant in a courtroom trial, and a skilled shooter. However, his real life is far from adventurous or exceptional. He is often belittled by his wife, who constantly criticizes him and chastises him for his absent-mindedness. Walter's constant daydreaming is a way for him to escape the pressures and disappointments of his everyday existence.
As the story progresses, Walter Mitty embarks on a series of errands in town, with each errand triggering a new daydream. These daydreams provide him with excitement, confidence, and resilience that he lacks in reality. The story culminates with Walter imagining himself bravely facing a firing squad, only to snap back to reality as a parking attendant informs him to stop blocking traffic.
Throughout the plot, Thurber presents a contrast between Walter's humdrum life and his vibrant daydreams, highlighting the power of imagination and the desire for adventure and recognition. The story concludes with the realization that Walter's secret life exists not in actual accomplishments, but in the rich tapestry of his fantasies.
Other elements:
- Setting: The story is set in various locations, both real (a bustling city, a courtroom, a war zone) and imaginary (a fantasy land, a wartime aircraft).
- Characterization: Walter Mitty is the central character, depicted as a meek and submissive man in real life, but bold and confident in his daydreams. His wife is portrayed as critical and domineering, while other characters who interrupt his daydreams represent the external forces that bring him back to reality.
- Dialogue: The story features dialogue between Walter Mitty and various characters, primarily his wife and people he encounters during his errands. The dialogue serves to highlight the tension and conflict in Walter's life.
- Point of View: The story is told from a third-person limited point of view, focusing on Walter Mitty's thoughts, perspectives, and experiences.
- Tone: The tone of the story is a blend of humor, irony, and wistfulness. The humor arises from the contrast between Walter's daydreams and his mundane reality, while the irony lies in his inability to escape the interruptions and disappointments of real life.
- Theme: The themes explored in the story include the power of imagination and the desire for escapism, as well as the significance of finding fulfillment and self-worth within oneself rather than relying on external validation.