The Freudian Uncanny

Page Requirements
4 pages
Point Value
180
Percentage of Final Grade
18%

In order to pass, your essay must have an introduction that ends in a thesis statement, at least 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Essay Topic

Texts: You are required to provide quotations from Freud’s “The Uncanny” and Haruki Murakami’s Sputnik Sweetheart, Chapter 12.

In Your Thesis
Explain how two specific Freudian claims from “The Uncanny” study guide (not the Freud vocabulary list) can help us better understand uncanny moments in Chapter 12 of Haruki Murakami’s Sputnik Sweetheart.

In your body paragraphs, make sure to
• Provide quotations from “The Uncanny” and Chapter 12 of Sputnik Sweetheart.
• Make sure to follow up all quotations with a 4-5+ sentence explanation of how they support your topic sentence claim.
• Aim for specific writing so that a reader unfamiliar with the texts would still be able to understand your essay.
• Close-read all your Freud quotations in your body paragraphs. When you close-read, you should follow these three steps (see Course Handbook Sample):
1. Provide the quote using MLA format. Foucault writes, “X” (10).
2. Identify key words. Remember to requote key words throughout your close-reading analysis.
3. Provide dictionary definitions of key words.
4. Ask a question based on your key word definitions designed to help you better understand 
 your quotation. Then provide an answer to your own question.

Warning: Please do not copy or quote Dr. Kwa’s comments in class. Paraphrase the material in your own words or quote the published section of the reading itself and then explain the quote in your own words.

ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS
1) Introduction: Explain what Freud feels he has learned about the uncanny through his psychoanalysis of Hoffmann’s “The Sandman.” Your essay should have a ¾ page, one paragraph introduction.

2) Thesis formation: Thesis needs to be the last sentence of your introduction. The thesis should fully answer the essay topic question and sum up what you plan to discuss in each of your body paragraphs. Be specific enough so that an audience not familiar with the texts will still understand what you are trying to say. Also avoid wordiness.

3) Body Paragraph Organization and Unity: The main idea of each body paragraph should differ from that of the other paragraphs; in other words, every paragraph should argue a different point. Your essay should have two body paragraphs.

4) Topic Sentences: Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that makes a claim that the body paragraph will prove is true. Since each paragraph discusses different points, topic sentences should not all be identical to one another.

5) Title: Centered. Double-spaced like your heading and the rest of your paper. Capitalize all key words. Not underlined or in boldface. No period at the end of the title. Follow the General : Specific MLA format. Your title should not just copy the title of this essay prompt.

6) Conclusion: A place for you to summarize your thesis and add any comments that do not directly support your thesis but might be relevant to your previous discussion.

7) Quotations: You will need to support any assertions you make with a discussion of quotations from the various texts assigned. All quotations should have an introductory phrase and should abide by the following format: Freud writes, “XX” (24). All quotations should be followed by a couple of sentences that provide a detailed explanation of how the quotation supports your topic sentence claim. Finally, remember to use the correct MLA citation format for page numbers.

8) Footnotes: If you want to incorporate your instructor’s or peer’s ideas in your paper, credit them in footnotes. Make sure to state in your footnote that you are giving credit to another person for the idea you just stated and provide the name of that person.

9) Turnitin.com: Please also remember to send your Essay #2 to turnitin.com.

10) Transitions: Include transitions to smooth the flow of your argument. Be sure to vary where you place the transition word; do not always place it at the beginning of the sentence. Sometimes the more appropriate place is in the middle.