Ms. Gotkurk
Trends in Lit
Oryx and Crake: An Exercise in Setting (20 points)
THE SITUATION: Think back to the beginning of the course. You were asked to write a short composition about something that concerns you about the future of mankind/civilization as we know it. This had to be a manmade problem, not natural or extra terrestrial.
Now, imagine that the worst has happened. What you feared has now occurred and you find yourself in this world. What would this look like?
YOUR TASK: Write a detailed description of this[1] “Post-apocalyptic” setting. Imagine yourself (or a character) there, or imagine your narrative eye as a camera taking it all in. You should aim to write about one page, single spaced and submit the final draft to turnitin.com.
In your first person or third person narrative, show:
1) Show the place, time; don’t tell. Show.
2) Use imagery![2]
3) Create mood[3] through your description.
4) Show conflict. Why/how is this setting a problem?
[1] You may substitute your short story setting if it is post-apocalyptic.
[2] The
descriptive or figurative language used in literature to create word pictures
for the reader. [Image:
A word or phrase that appeals to one or more of the five senses-sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell.]
[3] The feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage.