The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Essay Topics

[Pages:6]The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Essay Topics

Pick ONE of the following and write a 5-paragraph compare or contrast essay.

1. Throughout studying The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum's life, The Origins of Oz documentary, and the film, The Wizard of Oz, it was often noted that Baum's life shared major similarities between the book and film. We discussed many of these similarities in class, and discussed why they are important. You will focus on 3 similarities between Baum's life and compare them to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz text and or The Wizard of Oz film.

2. There are major differences between The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book and The Wizard of Oz film. We've discussed many of these differences in class, and why these differences are important. You will focus on 3 differences from the book compared to the film. Consider: what are the differences and why are they important.

3. In the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, setting often is used to narrate the story. Setting is described with vivid adjectives that set the mood and tone of the story. Focus on 3 different settings that equally narrate the story while establishing a specific mood and tone of the story.

4. All the characters of, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz overcame major obstacles. You will focus on the supporting characters: Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion. You will discuss one major obstacle each of these characters face and eventually overcome. Discuss how these obstacles relate to each character's irony and internal conflict.

5. The Wizard of Oz was a humbug. Throughout, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the film, The Wizard of Oz--Oz himself is deceitful. Discuss three examples of when Oz is deceitful. Consider: what is Oz hiding, why is he hiding it, and what are the outcomes of his trickery?

Now that you have picked a topic, you will write a five-paragraph compare or contrast essay (use the back of the page or attach more paper if you need room). Hint: If you're having trouble getting started, look back at the weekly open-end questions you have completed. Use your answers from these questions as your support! Below is your planning space.

I. Introduction (How will you start the paper?)

A._______________________________________________________________

B._______________________________________________________________ C._______________________________________________________________ D._______________________________________________________________ E. Thesis:

_________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________

II. First Supporting Paragraph

A. Reason: _______________________________________________________

B. Evidence: _____________________________________________________

C._______________________________________________________________

D._______________________________________________________________

E. Closing: _____________________________________________________ III. Second Supporting Paragraph

A. Reason: _______________________________________________________

B. Evidence: _____________________________________________________

C._______________________________________________________________

D._______________________________________________________________

E. Closing: _____________________________________________________

IV. Third Supporting Paragraph

A. Reason: _______________________________________________________

B. Evidence: _____________________________________________________

C._______________________________________________________________

D._______________________________________________________________

E. Closing: _____________________________________________________

V. Conclusion A. Topic Sentence (Restate Thesis):

_________________________________________________________________

B. Summary of First Supporting Paragraph:

_________________________________________________________________

C. Summary of Second Supporting Paragraph:

_________________________________________________________________

D. Summary of Third Supporting Paragraph:

__________________________________________________________________

E. Closing Statement:

__________________________________________________________________

Name: _______________________

Reading Rubric

Overview:

You will be graded on your understanding of different elements of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book, The Wizard of Oz Film, and L. Frank Baum's life. You will be graded according to your understanding of each of these categories and to your writing skills. To figure out your grade, total your score for each category and find the corresponding grade on the chart at the bottom.

Category One: Organization

4 Points: Your paper shows excellent organization. It is clear and easy to follow, it is arranged in order of importance, and it is connected by clear transition words and phrases.

3 Points: Your paper shows good organization. It is mostly clear and easy to follow, it is arranged in order of importance, and it has some transition words and phrases.

2 Points: Your paper shows fair organization. It is not very clear or easy to follow, it is loosely arranged in order of importance, or it has few transition words and phrases.

1 Point: Your paper shows poor organization. It is not clear or easy to follow, it might not be arranged in order of importance, or it might not have transition words and phrases.

Your score: __________

Category Two: Introduction and Conclusion

4 Points: You have an excellent introduction and conclusion. The introduction engages the reader, and it has a forceful thesis statement, which states the issue and your point of view. The conclusion restates your opinion, summarizes the reasons for the opinion, and has a strong closing statement.

3 Points: You have a good introduction and conclusion. The introduction mostly engages the reader, or it has a good thesis statement, which states the issue and your point of view. The conclusion mostly restates your opinion, summarizes the reasons for the opinion, and has a strong closing statement.

2 Points: You have a fair introduction or conclusion. The introduction does not engage the reader, or it does not have a good thesis statement, which states the issue and your point of view. The conclusion somewhat restates your opinion and summarizes the reasons for the opinion, or it does not have a strong closing statement.

1 Point: You have a poor introduction or conclusion. The introduction does not engage the reader, or it has a weak thesis statement, which does not state the issue and your point of view. The conclusion does not restate your opinion, summarize the reasons for the opinion, or have a closing statement.

Your score: __________

Category Three: Content of Supporting Paragraphs

4 Points: You have three or four excellent supporting paragraphs, each of which gives a reason to support the opinion. Each reason is supported by at least one strong quote from the novel, and all reasons are fully explained and elaborated.

3 Points: You have three or four good supporting paragraphs, each of which gives a reason to support the opinion. Each reason is supported by at least one good quote from the novel, and all reasons are explained and have some elaboration.

2 Points: You have three fair supporting paragraphs, each of which gives a reason to support the opinion. Each reason may be supported by a quote from the novel, and the reasons have some explanation and elaboration.

1 Point: You have poor supporting paragraphs. There may only be two reasons, the reasons are not supported by at least one quote from the novel, or the reasons are not fully explained.

Your score: __________

Category Four: Style

4 Points: Your essay has excellent writing style. It is appropriate for the audience and purpose, the sentences are clear and varied in length, and it uses a variety of sentence beginnings.

3 Points: Your essay has good writing style. It is mostly appropriate for the audience and purpose, the sentences mostly are clear and varied in length, or it mostly uses a variety of sentence beginnings.

2 Points: Your essay has fair writing style. It is somewhat appropriate for the audience and purpose, the sentences are somewhat clear and varied in length, or it seldom uses a variety of sentence beginnings.

1 Point: Your essay has poor writing style. It is not appropriate for the audience and purpose, the sentences are not clear and varied in length, or it rarely uses a variety of sentence beginnings.

Your score: _________

Category Five: Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

4 Points: Your essay has excellent grammar, usage, and mechanics. It is free of grammar and usage problems, it has no spelling or mechanics problems, and it has no punctuation errors.

3 Points: Your essay has good grammar, usage, and mechanics. It is has a few grammar and usage problems, spelling or mechanics problems, or punctuation errors.

2 Points: Your essay has fair grammar, usage, and mechanics. It has many grammar and usage problems, spelling or mechanics problems, or punctuation errors.

1 Point: Your essay has poor grammar, usage, and mechanics. It shows little understanding of grammar and usage problems, spelling or mechanics problems, or punctuation errors.

Your score: _________

Grade Scale:

Point Total Grade

20

A+

19-18

A

17

A-

16

B+

15-14

B

Point Total 13 12

11-10 9 8

Grade BC+ C CD+

Your point total: __________

Point Total 7-6 5 0-4

Grade D DF

Your Grade: __________

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