Character Analysis Essay Assignment



Short Story Analysis Essay Assignment

Write a 3-4 page essay or create a graphic organizer analyzing at least two of the short stories studied in class. Your essay should be at least five paragraphs long. Each body paragraph should begin with a topic statement and be followed by evidence (quotes and details from the stories or outside sources) that support your topic statement.

DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 12 – LATE ESSAYS OR ESSAYS THAT ARE NOT TYPED WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

HOW TO GET STARTED:

1) Choose the “connection” or basis of comparison that you want to analyze in your essay. Your connection should be a theme (e.g., tradition, parent-child conflict, racism, etc.) or a literary device (irony, satire, foreshadowing, flashback, extended metaphor, etc.).

2) Choose at least two stories that share that connection or basis of comparison. (You can choose stories studied in the literature circles as well as those read together in class.) Find quotes and examples in each story that are relevant to or illustrate that connection.

3) Draft your thesis statement. Comparing the quotes and examples that you identified in each of the stories in step 2 should suggest an argument or thesis that you can prove using those quotes and examples. We will be discussing what makes a good thesis and how to write one in class, but see Ms. Chenelle if you are having trouble coming up with a good thesis.

Your essay should be structured like this:

Introduction

Introduce the connection and the stories you are going to discuss in your essay. Briefly explain why this connection is important to each story. End your introduction with your thesis statement or main argument. Your thesis should explain what will be shown through the comparisons you will make in your essay. Use the thesis examples discussed in class to evaluate whether or not your thesis is effective.

Body (3-5 Paragraphs)

The body of your essay can range from 3 to 5 paragraphs in length. Each paragraph must begin with a topic statement that is followed by relevant examples and quotes from the stories that support and prove the topic statement. To figure out what your topic statements should be, go back to your thesis and ask yourself, “what do I need to show or explain in order to prove my thesis statement?”

Conclusion

Wrap up your essay by summarizing your arguments, re-capping how you’ve proven your thesis and why the connection you’ve discussed is important to each story. (Remember, DON’T USE “I,” or refer to yourself – e.g., “my favorite” or “in my opinion” – it makes your argument less persuasive.)

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED ABOVE FOR EACH PARAGRAPH! IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THEM, YOU WILL LOSE A LOT OF POINTS!

THE FINE PRINT

Your final draft must be typed, double-spaced, in 12pt Times Roman font. Your margins should be no larger than 1.25”. There should be no extra space between paragraphs.

Points will be taken off if your essay is not formatted correctly. Ask Ms. Chenelle if you have questions about how to format it correctly.

Essays MUST be printed or emailed in a Word document; essays typed directly in an email will NOT be accepted. If you don’t have a computer at home, plan ahead so that you will have time to use the computers in the classroom to type up your essay.

YOU MUST CITE YOUR SOURCES!

You must cite sources for all quotes and evidence you use from the stories or any other source, even if you paraphrase them. You must provide citations within the body of the essay and also include a “Works Cited” list at the end of the essay.

Within the body of your essay, you should provide citations for quotes and paraphrased details from the short stories like this: (Author’sLastName #) -- Replace “#” with whatever page your quote or the detail you paraphrased is on.

If you use any sources other than the short stories, you must cite them as well (both in the body of the essay and in the Works Cited list). Be sure to follow the citation format listed in the citation guide, which you can find on the class website:



EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

I am only requiring that you write a final draft for this essay, which is due Friday, June 12. If you would like feedback on a draft before turning in your final draft on June 12, I will be happy to look at it. You will receive 10 extra credit points for showing me a complete draft by Monday, June 8.

Short Story Analysis Essay Rubric

|CATEGORY |Outstanding |Very Good (7-8) |Satisfactory (6) |Unsatisfactory (5 and below)|

| |(9-10) | | | |

|Thesis / Main Argument |Thesis/main argument is |Thesis/main argument is |Thesis/main argument is |Thesis/main argument is not |

| |clearly stated in the |clearly stated in the |somewhat clearly stated, |clearly stated. The argument|

| |introduction. The argument |introduction. The argument |though not necessarily in |is irrelevant and/or not |

| |is insightful, relevant and |is relevant and provable. |the introduction. The |provable. |

| |provable. | |argument is relevant and | |

| | | |provable. | |

|Topic Sentences |Topic sentences present |Topic sentences present |Topic sentences present |Topic sentences don’t |

| |clear, provable arguments |somewhat clear, provable |arguments relevant to the |present arguments relevant |

| |that are relevant to the |arguments that are relevant |thesis/main argument, but |to the thesis/main argument.|

| |thesis/main argument. |to the thesis/main argument.|they may be vague or too | |

| | | |fact-based. | |

|Evidence |Evidence provided in each |Evidence provided in each |Evidence provided in each |Evidence is either lacking |

| |paragraph is relevant to the|paragraph is relevant to the|paragraph is relevant to the|or is not relevant to the |

| |topic sentence (and the |topic sentence (and the |topic sentence (and the |topic sentence (and the |

| |thesis), accurate and |thesis), and somewhat |thesis), but not necessarily|thesis). |

| |convincing. |accurate and convincing. |accurate and convincing. | |

|Comprehension of Stories |The essay demonstrates |The essay demonstrates good |The essay demonstrates some |The essay does not |

|and Theme or Literary |strong comprehension of the |comprehension of the stories|comprehension of the stories|demonstrate comprehension of|

|Device |stories and the theme or |and the theme or literary |and the theme or literary |the stories or the theme or |

| |literary device chosen. |device chosen. |device chosen. |literary device chosen. |

|Formatting, Spelling, |Essay follows required |Essay generally follows |Essay partially follows |Essay does not follow |

|Grammar and Citation |format and has very few |required format and is |required format, but has |required format. Spelling |

| |spelling or grammatical |mostly free of spelling or |spelling and grammatical |and grammatical errors are |

| |errors. Essay is 3-4 pages |grammatical errors. Essay is|errors throughout. Essay is |very frequent. Essay is not |

| |typed in a Word doc, |3-4 pages typed in a Word |3-4 pages typed in a Word |3-4 pages typed in a Word |

| |double-spaced, using the |doc, double-spaced, using |doc, but not necessarily |doc, double-spaced, using |

| |correct font. Sources are |correct font. Sources are |double-spaced, or using |the correct font. Sources |

| |cited correctly in body of |cited in body of essay and |correct font. Sources are |are not cited in body of |

| |essay and in “Works Cited” |in “Works Cited” list. |cited in body of essay or |essay or “Works Cited” list.|

| |list. | |“Works Cited” list. | |

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