Many years ago I read an essay that was pretty critical of the way so much fantasy fiction could not build believable societies with plausible economic underpinnings. The author was fairly concise and snarky, arguing that (I'm paraphrasing here) she could suspend disbelief about dragons and magic, but that she couldn't slog her way through a book where not the least bit of thought had been given to how all these characters and their associates could make a living, grow or acquire food, and otherwise acquire money and engage in trade. I think it was an essay by Joanna Russ in Fantasy & Science Fiction in the 70s, when she had a regular book review column there, but I could be conflating like mad.
posted by maudlin on May 7, 2013 - 6 answers

I need to write a paper for my clinical laboratory sciences class, but being that the teacher was unclear in her instructions, I'm not sure what qualifies as a separate laboratory and what doesn't. Something like " the hematology lab" is very broad. Can I focus on JUST histology, for example? Is there such a thing as a histology laboratory, even if it's under anatomical sciences? Or does that refer to a technique. What to do here? How would you structure this paper? Any advice is appreciated. [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 on Dec 12, 2012 - 17 answers

Can you find this essay on what writing is like? [more inside]
posted by Andrhia on Apr 13, 2012 - 2 answers

In 1971 Artforum magazine published an essay, 'After Modernism', by American composer Morton Feldman, about Modernism's endgame and what it meant for contemporary painting. I have repeatedly looked for it online but have had no success. Just curious to see if it is on the intertubes somewhere, thanks.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) on Nov 23, 2011 - 2 answers

Who wrote about a change in perspective due to a near-miss in a private airplane he was piloting? [more inside]
posted by morganw on Nov 12, 2011 - 6 answers

I'm back in school after several years of not thinking about essays. I forgot how to do everything! How do I cite an essay in a textbook in MLA format? [more inside]
posted by cheerwine on Oct 18, 2011 - 11 answers

What is the title/author of this essay about caring for an aging dog? More inside. [more inside]
posted by voodoochile on Apr 18, 2011 - 7 answers

I'm looking for a short story/essay written by an Irish author that involves stuttering. [more inside]
posted by Secret Life of Gravy on Nov 11, 2010 - 4 answers

I'm an undergraduate applying for a semester-long study-abroad program. I have to write my application essay both in English and in French. Would it be appropriate for me to ask one of my French professors to help me proofread the French version of my essay before submitting it? [more inside]
posted by datarose on Sep 23, 2010 - 13 answers

Trying to locate a first-person essay I once read, back in the '90s mebbe. Situation: white English dude makes friends with/seeks to interview a ditzy, goofy, elliptical Arab dude. [more inside]
posted by GrammarMoses on May 30, 2010 - 2 answers

An article (or essay? almost a manifesto?) on the proper role of a police officer, or perhaps rather, the philosophy of what a British constable is supposed to do. From I think the late 19th century. Can you find me the link?
posted by Eshkol on Mar 22, 2010 - 2 answers

On February, 2001 Andrew Sullivan published, in the NTY, and subsequently on his blog, an essay titled 'The absurd hype of romanticism'. [more inside]
posted by dawson on Feb 13, 2010 - 5 answers

Help me fix some problems with my English essay (scribd link) please! [more inside]
posted by kylej on Nov 15, 2009 - 21 answers

Recommendations for books that teach argument composition? [more inside]
posted by Sova on Feb 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Help me find an article/essay/blog entry I read 2 or 3 years ago about how obvious flirting is and always will be. [more inside]
posted by ictow on Jan 25, 2009 - 2 answers