6-8 pages (MLA format)
Minimum of five sources cited!
Write an essay explaining the overall theme of Omar El Akkad’s novel, American War. Here are two broad questions about that suggest two possible ways to discuss the novel’s theme (other interpretations are also possible for the novel’s theme. However, if you choose to explain the theme differently from these two options, be sure to discuss the direction you are taking with me, your instructor, as you begin work on the paper. Mere summaries of the novel will not be given a grade of higher than a “D”):
How does the novel examine the impact of war on human beings, especially through the novel’s protagonist, but also through its other primary characters? What does the novel “say” about war, overall?
Use your understanding of the novel and the elements of fiction (including direct quotes from the book and proper terminology for the elements of fiction) to support your thesis and the supporting claims of your paper.
Research the psychological and physiological effects that warfare has on human beings, research relevant historical facts of war, and/ or research propaganda related to war. One or all of these directions might be used for the research that will support your argument for the novel’s deeper meaning and importance. Focus on sources from subject matter experts where their discussion of war is helpful in arguing for your specific interpretation of the novel’s theme.
In the end, your research of credible sources, your understanding of literature, and the details from the novel itself (gathered from your close reading) should support a specific thesis/ debatable claim about the novel’s deeper meaning or theme.
How does the novel explain radicalization and extremism, especially through the novel’s protagonist, but also through its other primary characters? What is the novel’s overall message about radicalization and extremism?
Use your understanding of the novel and the elements of fiction (including direct quotes from the book and proper terminology for the elements of fiction) to support your thesis and the supporting claims of your paper.
Use research on the psychology of radicalization and extremism. Use research on recent historical examples of radicalization and extremism that have a strong basis of comparison to the events and characters in the novel. And/ or research the cultural and sociological forces that shape our views of radicalization as an audience for this novel; how does this cultural or sociological context help explain the meaning of the novel? One or all of these directions might be used for the research that will support your argument for the novel’s deeper meaning and importance. Focus on sources from subject matter experts where their discussion of radicalization and extremism is helpful in arguing for your specific interpretation of the novel’s theme.
In the end, your research of credible sources, your understanding of literature, and the details from the novel itself (gathered from your close reading) should support a specific thesis/ debatable claim about the novel’s deeper meaning or theme.
