Guidelines Paper  is based on one novel , Frankenstein . We have learned that one element crucial to horror stories is a monster. After reading the entire novel , you will write a two- to three-page paper analyzing whether Victor Frankenstein or the creation is the true monster in the novel. You must pick one. Then state three reasons/actions why he is the monster. DO NOT: o Claim they are both monsters o Claim that neither is o Claim that there is no monster because Victor is hallucinating, has a split personality, is dreaming, etc. o Claim that the real monster is abstract/philosophical--narcissism, society, nature vs. nurture, etc These are all innovative and great and may make a great essay but that's not the assignment. You must make a claim that Victor is the true monster OR his creation is the true monster and support your claim. Even though it is your interpretation of who the monster is, when you write academic essays, you are really asserting a claim and attempting to convince readers to agree with your stance. To do this effectively, it’s best to create a more objective tone, pulling back on personal statements and writing in terms of what Shelley intended and how readers in general perceive/infer the information. In other words, avoid statements like: “I think the monster is really Victor Frankenstein.” And use statements like: “After careful analysis of Shelley’s characters, readers agree that Victor is the true monster of the novel.” Also, a major pitfall to avoid: Do not claim that the monster is Victor then focus on the creation in the body of the essay and why the creation is not the monster. Throughout the semester, I have been posing questions on the Discussion Board that you have been responsible for. You were then required in some weeks to respond to a peer’s answers. The purpose of this is to cultivate interaction among peers as you are working in such solitude when in an online environment. However, I know that it is hard to routinely read a lot of what your peers have to say. So this second paper is the one opportunity for you to truly HEAR several angles of a discussion, much like in a traditional classroom, and assimilate the opinions of your classmates. For the essay, after you first come to your own observation about who the true monster is then read through a handful of each of the four Frankenstein discussion threads (Storyline Shift, Victor Frankenstein, The Creation, and Frankenstein Finale). Find a few posts that support your observation. You do not need to read through all of the posts for each thread but read through enough to help inform your selection. Throughout your essay you will need to include at least three quotes from two different threads (one per body paragraph/reason). These quotes need to support your claim. In other words, if you claim that Victor is the monster, don’t include a quote by a peer that focuses on the monster’s compassion. Also, be.

1. Guidelines
Paper is based on one novel ,
Frankenstein
. We have
learned that one element crucial to horror stories is a monster.
After reading the
entire novel , you will write a two- to three-page paper
analyzing whether Victor Frankenstein or the
creation is the true monster in the novel.
You must pick one. Then state three
reasons/actions why he is the monster.
DO NOT:
o
Claim they are both monsters
o
Claim that neither is
o
Claim that there is no monster because Victor is hallucinating,
has
a split personality, is dreaming, etc.
o
Claim that the real monster is abstract/philosophical--
narcissism,
society, nature vs. nurture, etc

2. These are all innovative and great and may make a great essay
but that's not
the assignment.
You must make a claim that Victor is the true monster
OR his creation is the true monster and support your claim.
Even though it is your interpretation of who the monster is,
when you write
academic essays, you are really asserting a claim and attempting
to convince
readers to agree with your stance. To do this effectively, it’s
best to create a
more objective tone, pulling back on personal statements and
writing in terms of
what Shelley intended and how readers in general perceive/infer
the information.
In other words, avoid statements like: “I think the monster is
really Victor
Frankenstein.” And use statements like: “After careful analysis
of Shelley’s
characters, readers agree that Victor is the true monster of the
novel.” Also, a
major pitfall to avoid: Do not claim that the monster is Victor
then focus on the
creation in the body of the essay and why the creation is not the

3. monster.
Throughout the semester, I have been posing questions on the
Discussion Board
that you have been responsible for. You were then required in
some weeks to
respond to a peer’s answers. The purpose of this is to cultivate
interaction among
peers as you are working in such solitude when in an online
environment.
However, I know that it is hard to routinely read a lot of what
your peers have to
say. So this second paper is the one opportunity for you to truly
HEAR several
angles of a discussion, much like in a traditional classroom, and
assimilate the
opinions of your classmates.
For the essay, after you first come to your own observation
about who the true
monster is then read through a handful of each of the four
Frankenstein
discussion threads (Storyline Shift, Victor Frankenstein, The
Creation, and
Frankenstein Finale). Find a few posts that support your
observation. You do not

4. need to read through all of the posts for each thread but read
through enough to
help inform your selection. Throughout your essay you will
need to
include at
least three quotes from two different threads (one per body
paragraph/reason).
These quotes need to support your claim. In other words, if
you claim that Victor is the monster, don’t include a quote by a
peer that focuses
on the monster’s compassion. Also, be sure to give the poster
credit. For
example: “According to her post on the Discussion Board, Suzie
M. supports the
idea that the creation is the true monster with this statement:
‘The creation’s
senseless, vindictive killing of William is proof enough that
he’s the monster.’”
Remember, your quotes should be
•
Relevant—supporting your claim
•
Credited to a specific name—not just
one student wrote

5. •
Varied—avoid quoting the same student
•
Short—fewer than three lines of text
•
Embedded in the paragraph—not set off on their own
You may also include a
maximum of two short quotes from the actual novel
.
These are not required but you can include them as additional to
your three
required thread quotes. The same rules above apply (shorter
than three lines,
embedded in paragraph, relevant, and attributed to Shelley).
I expect that you will write complete, coherent sentences paying
special attention
to your grammar and spelling. Just because the paper is short
and labeled
informal does not mean you can pass in sloppy work. There
should be a short
introduction (identifying the novel and author) with a thesis,
body paragraphs and
a closing. In order to maintain some structure and organization
and avoid the

6. essay veering off on too many tangents, create a firm, three-part
thesis to help
guide you and your readers. To do this, come up with three
reasons why Victor
or the creation is the monster. Then use these three reasons as
the basis for
three individual paragraphs. If you need clarification on
something, post it on the
discussion board or email me. See the outline and sample Intro
below.
In terms of logistics:
•
2 – 3 pages, 1 inch margins all around
•
12 point Times New Roman
•
Double spaced.
•

7. Standard essay formatting—indented first line paragraphs, no
extra space
between.
In essence, you are writing a five-paragraph essay. Here is a
sample
Introduction. Then what follows is an outline that will guide
you through the
structure of this essay very easily to ensure success.
Sample Introduction
All horror stories have monsters. Some are supernatural while
others can
take on the human form. Authors shape their characters through
their actions
allowing readers to identify the true evil in the story. In her
iconic novel,
Frankenstein
, May Shelley gives readers an abundance of information for
two of
the three main characters, Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his
creation, blurring
many lines as to who is good and who is bad. After careful
analysis, readers do
ultimately come to the conclusion that the creation is the true
monster because

8. he kills William to exact revenge, he frames an innocent girl for
his actions, and
he blackmails Victor to create him a mate.
I. Intro
A. An introductory paragraph that ends with a thesis statement
that PREDICTS, CONTROLS, and OBLIGATES (check out file
in
Writing Files). Intros are short and to the point. Start with a
broad
statement about monsters, then introduce the author and story,
then
end with the thesis statement—THREE reasons why VF or the
creation is monster—focus on ACTIONS.
II. Body
A. Paragraph—Reason #1
1. Topic/Transition sentence
2. Expand on reason
3. Introduce evidence—quote from one of the threads
4. Explain how quote supports reason
5. Closing sentence (don’t introduce new reason)

9. B. Paragraph—Reason #2
1. Topic/Transition sentence
2. Expand on reason
3. Introduce evidence—quote from one of the threads
4. Explain how quote supports reason
5. Closing sentence (don’t introduce new reason)
C. Paragraph—Reason #3
1. Topic/Transition sentence
2. Expand on reason
3. Introduce evidence—quote from one of the threads
4. Explain how quote supports reason
5. Closing sentence (don’t introduce new reason)
III. Closing
A. Short paragraph summing up your paper. Restate your thesis
and reasons.
###
RECAP

10. •
Select Victor Frankenstein or the creation as the monster
•
Determine three reasons why Victor or the creation is the
monster
•
Include three quotes from two different threads that support
your
reasons (one each)
•
Two to three pages typed, double spaced