“What Makes an Afterlife Novel Successful?”
The prompt for Assignment #2 is deliberately wide-reaching: In asking, “What make an afterlife novel successful?” this assignment also requires students to clearly determine
(1) what “success” means,
(2) in what context such success would take place, and
(3) what they consider, after reading our texts this semester, what qualifies as an “afterlife novel” (i.e. English-language only? prose only? etc.).
Using their Assignment #1 Annotated Bibliography and our class Discussion Board as their launching points, students are challenged to develop an argument both of how this success is merited and what works would qualify as successful. Importantly, this measure of success should not be based purely on the students’ own opinions; outside sources should be utilized to support a particular understanding of “success.” Is it about the book which sells the most copies? Is it about the book’s relationship to real-world religions? Is it about the book being adapted into other media, such as film or television? Or, is it about how long a book endures, continually being republished and retaught at schools and universities? What other measure(s) determine success for this odd genre?
Important:
This is NOT a Review; you are not applauding the books and their quality. It is an assessment of the subgenre via these works. How, as a group, does this collection of stories work?
Assignment #2 is an essay required to be 6-8 complete double-spaced 1”-magined pages long (not counting title page, header, or Works Cited page).
It’s somewhat overwritten. You’re using a dozen words when you could use seven far more directly. I read this as a little bit of a weakness or lack of confidence on your part.
It remains very vague, at least until page 5 when you finally address one of the novels from our class. It also is largely unsupported by any outside references.
Please remember that novel titles are italicized.
Any Works Cited?
I think you define “afterlife novels” fine, but I’m not sure you specifically or directly say what makes them successful in a way that’s distinct from any other genre.
