Homework

1.

Before reading the short story, be sure to read the guide to critical reading as well as the

guide to argumentation.

2.

Read Mary Hood’s “How Far She Went” several times. Take careful notes, highlighting

words, phrases, images, and passages that you think are particularly important. Write

down questions you have about the characters, conflict, setting, etc.

3.

Respond to the following prompt with a brief argument:

How is the concept of distance used in the text? You might consider physical

distance, temporal distance, emotional distance, generational distance, existential

distance (i.e., distance between the living and the dead), etc. How is it central to

the story’s meaning? Identify two passages in the text that show this, and

describe what those passages reveal to us about the characters and the conflict.

Your essay should follow this basic paragraph structure:

I.

Introduction: identify the main focus of the essay, the problem that you see in the

story, and a thesis. Your introduction paragraph for this essay should be no more

than four sentences, so keep the focus narrow and well-defined. Don’t try to cover

too much. Identify the topic in the first sentence!

II.

Body paragraphs: begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that identifies the

main idea of the paragraph. Describe the significance of the idea for your thesis.

Identify evidence from the text that supports or exemplifies this idea. Quote the

evidence, then provide some commentary. Body paragraphs should maintain a single

focus. For this essay, you may need two to four body paragraphs.

III.

Conclusion: your final paragraph should synthesize your argument. Tell your

audience what your argument accomplished and why it’s important. Two to four

sentences should suffice.

IV.

By Saturday, June 12, post your brief essay as a discussion post (please copy and

paste into the discussion box – no attachments, please!).