English Honors 491: Utopias & Dystopias
Dr. Morillo
First Paper Assignment
Due Wednesday, Oct. 3, in class, at
the start of class, printed out on paper AND with an emailed file copy
as backup
5 full pages. Double-spaced printed/typed. Standard margins.
Advertising Utopia
Here's the situation. Plato, Moore, and Cavendish have all
returned from the dead and walk into your advertising agency. They've
heard great things about the fine job your agency has done of promoting
controversial products to a skeptical public, and each hires you to
help promote their ideas. From each of their utopias choose whatever
you consider to be the MOST controversial idea, and whether or not you
actually agree with it as a good idea witihin any utopia, promote it as
effectively and persuasively as you can. In 5 pages you will do your
best to sell 3 key but controversial ideas to the reading and buying
public. Now the real fantasy element: imagine that public is educated
and sharp enough to not be easily persuaded with out some strong
arguments and evidence, and not just slick rhetoric.
However much you think you are the next great American novelist,
don't waste time with the narrative/dramatic frame, however tempting it
may be to make these figures into cool zombies. Instead, really focus
on how to make good arguments for three important ideas that require
imagination and intellect in equal measure.