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ENG1501 - Assignment 2 - Short Story

The document outlines an assignment for a short story module. It includes two compulsory sections - a reflective essay on short stories and answers to questions about the short story 'A Matter of Taste' by Alex La Guma. Students must analyze themes, characters, and incidents in the short story by incorporating evidence and quotations into their responses. Guidelines are provided on formatting, referencing, and avoiding plagiarism.

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Francina Mfolo
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133 views3 pages

ENG1501 - Assignment 2 - Short Story

The document outlines an assignment for a short story module. It includes two compulsory sections - a reflective essay on short stories and answers to questions about the short story 'A Matter of Taste' by Alex La Guma. Students must analyze themes, characters, and incidents in the short story by incorporating evidence and quotations into their responses. Guidelines are provided on formatting, referencing, and avoiding plagiarism.

Uploaded by

Francina Mfolo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ASSIGNMENT 02: Short stories

Due date: [will be announced on myUnisa]

This assignment comprises TWO sections. Both sections are compulsory.

Section A: Reflective essay: The Short Story (Unit 3)


Now that you have worked through Unit 3 (The Short Story) in the study guide, write a
reflective essay of 250 – 350 words in which you discuss how this section of the work
resonated with your own personal experiences or memories, and what insight you gained
from studying this section. In your essay, please reflect on the questions below:
1. Do you like reading fiction? Have you ever read short stories before doing this
module? Do you have a favourite short story? If so, please tell us the title and
author.
2. Which section(s) in this unit did you find particularly enjoyable or interesting, or
gave you more insight into short stories? Please be as specific as possible
(quote from the section and provide page references).
3. Which section(s) in this unit did you find the least enjoyable or difficult to
understand? Please be as specific as possible (quote from the section and
provide page references).
Section A total: 15 marks

Section B: ‘A Matter of Taste’ – Alex La Guma

In order to answer this question, you need to read ‘A Matter of Taste’ by Alex La Guma
(available as an e-reserve on the Library website). Work through Unit 3 in Tutorial Letter
501 for a reminder of the reading strategies you should employ when reading a short
story.

Remember to use a dictionary to look up the definitions of any unfamiliar words in the
short story and in the assignment questions.
Ensure that each answer adheres to the following guidelines: Your answers should:

• be written as a paragraph of between ten and fifteen lines

• begin with a topic sentence that reflects the main topic of the paragraph

• discuss the topic by quoting evidence from the short story (these quotations should be
incorporated into grammatically complete and coherent sentences)

• explain how each of your quotations supports your argument

• employ correct referencing techniques and make use of appropriate academic


conventions

• end with a sentence which summarises and reflects on the significance of what you
have argued in relation to the main topic.

Refer to Tutorial Letter 501 for a reminder of topic sentences, paragraphing,


argumentation, and incorporation of quotations.

Write a paragraph in response to each of the following questions:

1. Comment on the spatial setting described on the first page of the story
(p.428), explaining how it contributes to the theme of poverty. (8)
2. How does the author use physical description and dialogue to create
a vivid portrayal of Chinaboy's character on the first page of the short
story? (8)
3. Discuss any two incidents from the story which show that people can
still be humane toward each other even though they are poor. (8)
4. Explain how humour is used as a coping mechanism against limited
food resources. (8)
5. How is the theme of the desire for a better life developed in this short
story? (8)
Section B Total: 40 marks

GRAND TOTAL: 55

Bonus question: 5 marks (This section is not compulsory, but if you do it, you can
earn five (5) bonus marks for this assignment.)

Imagine that you have written a short story and would like to publish it. Write an
introduction of about ten lines or a plot outline/ summary of the short story that you
would send the publisher.

OR

Is there any event in your life that would make a good short story? Write a plot
summary of it.

For information about correct quoting and referencing, consult Unit 1 of Tutorial Letter
501.

Warning!

Using ideas and facts from other people, books or web pages without saying where
they come from is the same as stealing those ideas and facts. This is plagiarism and
it is a serious offence.

If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you will fail this assignment.

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