Response Essay (MLA)
Choose one of the following topics; write a minimum 750-word response essay in MLA format:
Compare/contrast the book and the film versions of Ready Player One. Discuss several ways that the film is different from the book. Why did the film make these changes and how do these changes affect the overall story? Which version tells the story better? Explain why. For this topic, you can also cite the film. Cite both the book and film on the Works Cited page.
1980s media and pop culture artifacts pervade Ready Player One. The book is full of references to specific games, songs, and movies that are part of the Hunt. Choose one of the popular culture artifacts mentioned in the book. Research this artifact, discuss its creation and history, cultural significance, the role it plays in the book, and why Cline chose to include it in the book. Cite both the book and at least one source that discusses the cultural artifact you are discussing.
Is the OASIS a useful, productive escape from a harsh world or a harmful distraction that creates additional real-world problems? Is it both? Analyze and explain. Argue whether the OASIS is a net-positive or net-negative for the world in Ready Player One. Then, compare the OASIS to a current social media platform that shares some of these same attributesone that is a productive escape or harmful distraction (or both). Develop this essay using reasons and examples from the book and from experiences using social media. Cite the book and at least one outside source that discusses contemporary social media.
Choose one of the major characters from the book and examine his/her character and growth. Who is this character at the beginning of the story (based on what we know about him/her), and how does this character grow and change throughout the story? What factors (events/circumstances/other characters) elicit this change? Cite the book on the Works Cited page. You can include additional sources if you wishjust be sure to cite them.
Organize your essay according to standard essay structure:
Begin with an introduction paragraph that starts with an attention getter, provides background about the topic, and ends with a thesis statement that makes a definitive, arguable point related to the topic. Avoid asking questions and making announcements in the thesis. Build the thesis by combining the topic + position + reasons.
Then, develop your essay with body paragraphs. Use the book as a source; cite the book in the body paragraphs and on the Works Cited page. If you use additional sources, be sure to cite them in the text and also on the Works Cited page.
Limit direct quotes to 10% of the paperlimit them to a sentence or two at a time, once per paragraph. Rely more on paraphrasing. Completely change the wording of your paraphrases and cite them.
For paragraphs that are solely comprised of paraphrases, you can just put a citation at the end of the paragraph.
When you use direct quotes, remember to cite immediately after the quote.
Review MLA citation notes–use parenthetical in-text citations that include the authors name and the page number (or page number range if citing info from multiple pages). For example:
(Smith 5).
(Smith 3-11).
Avoid 1st and 2nd person. Write solely in 3rd person.
End the essay with a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis (try to use different words), recaps your major points, and ends with a final thought.
Remember to include a Works Cited page that cites the book. Additional sources are not required for all topics, but if you do use them, cite them in the text and also on the Works Cited page.
Be sure to avoid plagiarismreview the course plagiarism policy. Do not use any sample/student essays as sources or as templates.
If you turn in something that someone else wrote, I am going to give you a zero.
Submit the essay to the Turnitin link on Moodle. The paper is not considered turned in until it is submitted to the Turnitin link in a file I can open.
To Get an A:
Exhibit clear understanding of the book and the topic
Provide clear, intelligent, and coherent analysis of the plot and characters as they relate to your topic.
Properly structure the essay:
Introduction (with strong thesis)
Body paragraphs (with clear topic sentences, sufficient development, and cogent analysis)
Conclusion paragraph (Recap the thesis and major points, end with a final thought).
Exceed the minimum word count.
Exhibit correct MLA document format
Exhibit correct MLA for in-text citations and the Works Cited page
Exhibit correct grammar and punctuation, as well as reasonably articulate sentences
