How important is it that someone dies in a detective story and in a spy story?

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How important is it that someone dies in a detective story and in a spy story?

3202 (Detectives and Spies) Short Essay Topics

This essay is due at the beginning of class on May 30. It should be 3-4 pages long (double-spaced). Concentrate on creating a real argument, not just listing observations about the works (I should be able to disagree with your paper, while still thinking its good work).

Choose ONE of the following two topics.

  • DEATH. How important is it that someone dies in a detective story? In a spy story? Is murder dealt with similarly in both genres, or does its treatment differ? Choose two works and analyze the role/significance of death in each.

THE TEXT THAT YOU WILL BE CONCENTRATING ON : “

THE THIRTY NINE-STEPS” AND “MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE”

A reminder: the opening paragraph of your essay must end with a question. That question should then be answered in the final paragraph. An example of an appropriate question might be “Why is murder a more common topic of detective stories than, say, theft or assault?” or “Why non-European characters are more uncommon in spy stories than non-British European characters?”

Notes from professor DO & DON’T

  • Focus on the work presented in class
  • Opening question in the beginning
    • Closing question in the end (conclusion)
  • ARGUMENT IS KEY
    • Make a argument not a summary of the plot
    • Teacher want to agree or disagree with what is being said
      • This doesn’t dictate your grade however
    • Get right to the point
      • Don’t beat around the bush
    • You can quote the text as long as it backs up the text and what you are saying
  • Argument and analysis
    • Do not repeat yourself
    • Make a point and either move on or expand it in way that make sense
  • Conclusion does not repeat what is said throughout the text
  • Paragraphs need to be full
    • Maybe half of the page or 5-6 sentence
  • PROOF READ