We present a model calculation of the elasticity of a nematic elastomer of finite-length network strands under affine deformation. The result is derived in its full tensorial structure, and its predictions are examined. In particular, we look at the non-Gaussian corrections to the effects of soft elasticity and elastic anisotropy. We find that the soft modes can at most be hardened at O(N Ϫ2 ) when compared to the conventional rubber elastic energy, where N is the number of monomer units along

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... typical strand. The elastic moduli for extensions parallel and perpendicular to the nematic director are found to differ at O(N Ϫ1 ).