1) With reference to one or two works on our list, consider the effectiveness of travel writing in terms of its potential for formulating social or political commentary. What separates travel writing from conventional journalistic writing? 2) With reference to two works on our list, examine the role of humour in travel writing. How are travel texts uniquely humorous? What are the techniques that authors use? Are there more serious questions that this humour may be revealing (or possibly avoiding)? For this question you may need to distinguish between different forms of humour (irony, dark humour, slapstick or physical comedy, satire, etc.). 3) With reference to one or two works on our list, describe how authors describe experiences of travel in relation to gender. How does the context of travel provide opportunities or constraints for individuals in relation to gender identity? 4) With reference to one or two works on our list, describe how travel can be a transformative experience. What do individuals learn about themselves and/or about different people and places? 5) In Travel Writing, Carl Thompson writes: “Contemporary travel writing … frequently works as an adjunct to the tourist industry, and to what has been termed the ‘tourist gaze’ (Urry, 1990), notwithstanding the efforts many travel writers make to distinguish themselves from ‘mere’ tourists” (161). With reference to one or two works on our list, consider how authors define themselves against the idea of mass tourism. How do the authors react against, criticize, or possibly identify with mass tourism? The above questions are intended to provoke a unique and thoughtful response, not to elicit a particular answer or an expected line of inquiry. The essay should be between 1500-2000 words (not including long quotes, bibliography, or works cited). There should be a clear engagement with criticism or scholarly work (this could include Carl Thompson’s Travel Writing, Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel, McClanahan Word Painting or other academic sources). At least five outside sources would be considered normal. Please use MLA guidelines when quoting or paraphrasing material. However, plagiarism will be dealt with in a very strict way. Please cite all of your sources, including websites * When quoting materials directly avoid floating quotations. That is, be sure to introduce a quotation by explaining the context in which it was written and then follow up by explaining more about how this quotation relates to your main arguments or points. This is particularly important with longer quotes. In many cases, one or two sentences before and after a quote can make a significant difference in terms of helping the reader to understand the relationships between the various ideas you are presenting. * Avoid purely descriptive titles and instead use your title to convey a specific argument or approach (while also piquing your reader’s interest). Not: ‘A Comparative Analysis of A & B’ Instead: Out of the Comfort Zone: Dark Humour in David Sedaris’s “In the Waiting Room” and David Foster Wallace’s “Shipping Out”. * Strike a balance between clarity and complexity. Refer to the background readings we’ve discussed in our class and be ambitious in terms of your ideas. However, if you are unsure about something and find yourself stuck, then it’s often best to resolve the difficult by being honest with yourself and your reader. * Lastly, the presentation of your work (i.e. grammar and usage) can make a big difference in terms of determining the mark you receive. Your essay will almost certainly improve if you finish it early and go over it several times with careful proofreading.