Final Exam Essay Questions

The final exam will cover all the material we've discussed in class and will be closed book. It will consist of the following questions:

• 10 content questions worth 10 marks (similar to the quizzes). The answers can be single words or in point form, as is appropriate. Grammar will not count, although spelling will!

• 5 short answer questions (no more than 1 page) worth 5 marks each. Your answer should be a complete paragraph with grammatically correct sentences and have appropriate formatting - page citations are not required.

• 1 longer essay question (3-4 pages), worth 20 marks. This should be a complete essay, with an introduction, thesis statement, conclusion, and two to three body paragraphs, each of which addresses a sub-topic and provides concrete examples from the assigned readings to support your thesis. Your answer should also be in grammatically correct sentences and have appropriate formatting - page citations are not required.

For the exam I will select questions from the lists below. There will not be a choice of questions (you have to answer all the questions I give you!), so you might want to sketch out answers to all these questions beforehand to prepare for the exam. I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have or to have a quick look at a point form answer you draw up to any of these questions - as long as you send it to me before exam week.

Short Answer Questions

• Identify the major characteristics of "Golden Age" SF. Illustrate your points by referring to one of the assigned readings.
• Identify the major characteristics of "New Wave" SF. Illustrate your points by referring to one of the assigned readings.
• Identify the major characteristics of "Cyberpunk" SF. Illustrate your points by referring to one of the assigned readings.
• Identify the major characteristics of "New space Opera" SF. Illustrate your points by referring to one of the assigned readings.
• Identify the major characteristics of "Hard" SF. Illustrate your points by referring to one of the assigned readings.
• Identify the major characteristics of "Social" SF. Illustrate your points by referring to one of the assigned readings.
• Science fiction stories often have to deliver a lot of information to the reader, but don't want to deliver it in a tedious way (i.e. as a dry lecture). Describe the techniques used to do this in one of the assigned readings.
• Homelessness is a theme in "Aye, and Gomorrah". Explain.
• Why did Tiptree choose to make her narrator, and main character, a "strong" male character?
• Does the punishment fit the crime in "I Have No Mouth and Must Scream"?
• What is Gibson saying about the place of the individual in a corporate-run society?
• Does Ender represent "Good" in Ender's Game?
• Does Peter represent "Bad" in Ender's Game?
• Communication. or lack of communication, is important in Ender's Game. Explain.
• In Ender's Game, does Ender come to terms with the destruction of the buggers?

Longer Essay Questions