Essay Topics - ndnativestudies



Motorcycles and Sweetgrass: Literary Essay

Instructions: Choose one of the following topics and write a 750-1000 word essay (3-4 pages) that supports a clear, focused and thoughtful thesis.

1. How is Motorcycles and Sweetgrass a story about Virgil’s growth and self-discovery? What promps Virgil to reconsider his understanding of family, history, and heritage?

2. In Motorcycles and Sweetgrass the residents of the Otter Lake reserve struggle to reconcile their Ojibway beliefs and traditions with broader Canadian culture and its modern conveniences. Discuss the idea of compromise as a prominent theme in the novel.

3. Nanabush reinvents himself and decides to become once again relevant to the community of Otter Lake. Is he ultimately successful in his quest?

Rubric: Literary Essay

|Criteria |Level 1 |Level 2 |Level 3 |Level 4 |

|Knowledge/ |θ shows limited understanding |θ shows some understanding of |θ shows considerable |θ shows thorough understanding|

|Understanding |of the topic |the topic |understanding of the topic |of the topic |

|• ideas, concepts, themes | | | | |

| | | | | |

|Thinking/Inquiry |θ develops ideas with limited |θ develops ideas with some |θ develops ideas with |θ develops ideas with a high |

|• analysis |logic and coherence |logic and coherence |considerable logic and |degree of logic and coherence |

| | | |coherence | |

|• use of evidence – QUOTES! |θ incorporates limited |θ incorporates some |θ incorporates considerable |θ incorporates highly |

| |relevant evidence |well-chosen, relevant evidence|well-chosen, relevant evidence|effective, well-chosen, and |

| | | | |relevant evidence |

|Communication |θ shows limited command of the|θ shows some command of the |θ shows considerable command |θ shows extensive command of |

|• use of essay form |essay form including thesis or|essay form including thesis or|of the essay form including |the essay form including clear|

| |controlling idea; |controlling idea; |clear thesis or controlling |and engaging thesis or |

| |organization; conclusion |organization; conclusion |idea; effective organization; |controlling idea; highly |

| | | |logical conclusion |effective organization; strong|

| | | | |conclusion |

|• language and voice |θ uses appropriate language |θ uses appropriate language |θ uses appropriate language |θ uses appropriate language |

| |and voice with limited |and voice with some |and voice with considerable |and voice with a high degree |

| |effectiveness and consistency |effectiveness and consistency |effectiveness and consistency |of effectiveness and |

| | | | |consistency |

|Application |θ applies grammar, usage, |θ applies grammar, usage, |θ applies grammar, usage, |θ applies grammar, usage, |

|• language conventions |spelling, and punctuation with|spelling, and punctuation with|spelling, and punctuation with|spelling, and punctuation with|

| |limited accuracy and |some accuracy and |considerable accuracy and |a high degree of accuracy and |

| |effectiveness |effectiveness |effectiveness |effectiveness |

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