Name: _________________________________Diaz’s “Monstro”: Responding a Story

Directions: Choose one of the three assignments listed below. This assignment will be due at the start of class on Monday, Oct 2.

1. Write a short analysis of Diaz’s story, followed by one text-based question. You are not answering this question and this is NOT a summary. You are developing a thoughtful question that you would like to ask of the author. You will email this question to Junot Diaz.

Page length: 2 pages

2. Short fiction writing. You will take up the task of continuing Diaz’s story. You can either begin where Diaz ends, or imagine a short section of the story from another character’s perspective. You will submit your short fiction to a writing contest.

I suggest that you submit your work to the science fiction writing contest sponsored by Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. There is a $1000 prize for the best piece.

Page length: Up to 1000 words (4-pages double-spaced)

3. Write an analytic essay. This paper will be a short research-based project responding to a prompt of your choosing related to Diaz’s story. The work will cite a minimum of 2 sources. You will include a works cited page with your paper.

For example, you could give a short history of Haiti and explain how it influences the events in this story. Or, you could discuss relations between Haitians and Dominicans and explain how that is playing out in this story. Or…

Page length: 2-3 pages

I am also open to other project ideas. You would need to pass any ideas by me beforehand. But, I encourage you to be creative.

All works will be in standard MLA format. (Times New Roman, size 12 font, one-inch margins)