ENG 356 Full Course – All Weeks Discussion and Assignments

In Raymond Carver’s essay, “On Writing,” (in “The Story and its
Writer”) he states: “too often ‘experimentation’ [in writing] is a
license… to try to brutalize or alienate the reader. Too often such writing gives us no news of the world, or else
describes a desert landscape and that’s all ― a few dunes and lizards here and there, but no people; a place
uninhabited by anything recognizably human, a place of interest only to a few scientific specialists.” What extent does
this critique of some forms of Postmodern fiction, those in which the authors are apparently more concerned with
linguistic innovation than with conveying anything seemingly real or significant to a reader, apply to the fiction
assigned in the Topic 6 Readings? Choose two of the assigned readings and explain why this critique does or does
not apply to these works.
ENG 356 Week 6 Assignment Analysis Paper Outline
Details:
In a formal or informal sketch outline, list the major assertions and subtopics of your paper that you will complete in
Topic 8. Please check your options for this paper in the Topic 8 assignment. This outline should form the basic
structure for your research paper, but you may find that you change or modify the paper or outline in your actual
writing and revision.
The outline should, minimally, contain the following elements:
1. A creative, unique title for your paper.
2. A statement of your thesis at the top.
3. Parallel topics and subtopics.
4. Complete sentences, unless phrases are clear.
5. At least two sub-categories for each paragraph topic listed.
6. A conventional system of numbers and letters (I.A.1.a., etc.).
MLA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
ENG 356 Week 7 Topic 7 DQ 1
In Tan’s “Two Kinds,” how typical is Tan’s depiction of the mother-daughter, or generational, conflict? Is the story
meant to be primarily about the Asian-American experience or is it meant to be more universal?
ENG 356 Week 7 Topic 7 DQ 2
Compare and contrast the mother-daughter relationship in Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand Here Ironing” and Amy Tan’s “Two
Kinds.” The mother narrates Olsen’s story, while the daughter narrates Tan’s. How are these two relationships similar
and different? How does the depiction of these relationships contribute to the stories’ themes?
ENG 356 Week 7 Assignment African American Cultural Influence on an Author
Details:
In “Everyday Use,” Alice Walker analyzes the complexities associated with race, class, gender, and society. Similar to
James Baldwin, Walker uses her unique, narrative style to explore the “ambiguity and irony found in Negro life,”
especially in regards to sibling relationships and the outside forces that attempt to destroy the bond.
Compare and contrast how Baldwin’s and Walker’s characters use this connection as the means to sort through their
‘inner blues.’ Respond in an essay of 750-1,000 words.
Prepare this assignment according to the MLA guidelines found in the MLA Style Guide, located in the Student
Success Center.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar
with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
ENG 356 Week 8 Topic 8 DQ 1
Max Points: 5.0
In “Madman,” what evidence supports Chinua Achebe’s view that there are different forms and degrees of
“madness?”
ENG 356 Week 8 Topic 8 DQ 2