Gatsby Final Essay Options.pdf.docx



YTA Girls- Gatsby LOG Post Reading Assignment, Instructions, and Rubric for GradingThe Great Gatsby- Final Essay Length: around 2-3 pages (not less than 2 complete pages; 4 pages max) Format: typed, double-spaced, 12-point standard font (times, calibri (body), etc.). First Draft (Typed) Due: Weds, 7/1/15: Bring a draft of your essay to class for peer feedbackFinal Draft (Typed) Due: Mon, 12/1/15Essay Topics:As part of our Gatsby closure, write a focused, well-supported (at least 3 quotes and other examples from the book and life observations), multi-page argument essay which addresses one of the following topics: Through The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald seems to communicate a message about people’s failure to accomplish their dreams—Nick, Gatsby, Tom, Daisy all have ideas for the perfect life and none of them are able to achieve them. Deeply explore one character—his/her dreams, his/her attempts to accomplish those dreams, his/her reasons for failure, and the message that Fitzgerald might be communicating through this failure.In his essay “Paradox and Dream,” Steinbeck describes Americans as “a restless, dissatisfied, a searching people” (1)—we dream of buying a home, but once we get it, we’re dissatisfied and want something bigger. The Great Gatsby also has a lot to say about Americans and the American Dream. Throughout the novel, we see Jay Gatsby trying to achieve his dreams of wealth and Daisy’s love. Tom and Daisy, with their riches and life of leisure, have seemingly achieved the American Dream, but also are described as restless and unsatisfied. George Wilson has started his own business, but is struggling to make ends meet. Using at least three examples from The Great Gatsby (and, if you’d like, other works we encountered this semester) show how the authors express this idea about Americans and the American Dream. Do you agree with this perspective? Why? What do you think would bring people true satisfaction?The Great Gatsby also has a lot to say about identity. All of the main characters are midwesterners who have moved out East in search of something. Nick, who feels restless when he returns from the war and moves out East to learn the bond business, reflects on his life throughout the book. Gatsby moves out East to win Daisy and completely changes his identity, including his name. Choose one of the characters from the novel and, by using specific examples from the text, describe what you think is that character’s true identity? Then, write at least a paragraph about your own identity—what is your real identity?Throughout The Great Gatsby, the reader sees Nick cast in different roles: semi-disinterested reporter to active participant, reluctant tag-along to protector of Gatsby. While he tells us that “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments” (5) and “I’m one of the few honest people that I have ever known” (64), Nick eventually says of Gatsby “I disapproved of him from beginning to end” (162) and he labels Tom and Daisy as “careless people...[who] smashed up things and creatures” (187). Using specific references to the novel, answer the following question: Who is the real Nick Carraway?Does “true love” exist between any two people in the novel? If so, explain how and what differentiates the relationship(s) you have chosen from the rest. Make sure that you clearly define what constitutes “true love” and use examples from the text to illustrate that it exists between your chosen couple. Some couples to consider are:Gatsby and DaisyTom and DaisyTom and MyrtleGeorge and MyrtleNick and JordanNick and GatsbyThe Great Gatsby Essay RubricCategory Does not Approach Expectations YetApproaches ExpectationsMeets ExpectationsExceeds ExpectationsPoint Value: 0-5Point Value: 5-10Point Value: 10-20Point Value: 20-30Ideas & Analysis~Does not construct a complex thesis and argument~Does not provide commentary or analysis of ideas that advances argument ~Constructs a simplistic thesis and argument that state the obvious (with no insight to the answer).~Spends some of the essay analyzing and developing key ideas.~Constructs a strong, complex thesis and argument in the introduction paragraph.~Spends most of paper analyzing and developing ideas in a well crafted, well supported argument.~Constructs a highly original, probing, insightful thesis and argument that illuminate something about the topic question in relation to the text.~Delivers well supported analysis and crafts argument seamlessly.Point Value: 0-5Point Value: 5-10Point Value: 10-15Point Value: 15-20Organization~Ideas are presented erratically.Little or no transitions between ideas and paragraphs are used.~Little or no logical order to the paper’s overall structure.~Ideas are presented in somewhat logical fashion, although some parts are confusing.~Some transitions are used between ideas and paragraphs.~Paper’s overall structure is somewhat logical and easy to follow.~Ideas are presented logically and clearly. ~Transitions are used between ideas and paragraphs in a way that advances argument.~Paper’s overall structure is logical and easy to follow.~Ideas are presented seamlessly and clearly.~Transitions between ideas and paragraphs are seamless and advance the argument logically.~Paper’s overall structure is logical, clear, and exceptionally easy to follow.Point Value: 0-5Point Value: 5-10Point Value: 10-15Point Value: 15-20Evidence~Does not select evidence that supports the claim~Does not analyze evidence~Only inserts evidence into paper without explanation~Selects adequate evidence that supports claim.~Gives some context for evidence but is still confusing.~Analyzes the evidence superficially and does not relate back to central claim or sub claim~Selects strong evidence that supports the claim (2 examples included).~Gives clear context for evidence~Analyzes the evidence clearly but does not explain its significance as it relates to the claim~Integrates evidence into overall commentary but does not flow smoothly throughout paper. ~Selects highly insightful, persuasive evidence that clearly supports the claim~Analyzes the evidence insightfully and clearly explains its significance as it relates to claim~Integrates evidence smoothly into overall commentary.Point Value: 0Point Value: 5Point Value: 10Point Value: 15Academic Language~Inconsistent use of the present tense.~Slang is used.~Terms and concepts are undefined or used incorrectly.~Consistent use of present tense with a few errors throughout paper.~Two or more slang terms are used.~Terms and concepts are sometimes defined and qualified.~Consistent use of present tense with no errors throughout paper.~No slang is used.~Terms and concepts are defined and qualified to relate to paper’s topic question.~Use of present tense is consistent and advances argument.~Academic language is used artfully.~Terms and concepts are defined and qualified clear to paper’s topic question.Point Value: 0Point Value: 5Point Value: 10Point Value: 15Grammar & Presentation~Grammar and spelling errors distract from argument.~Paper has one or more spelling or grammar errors. ~Paper is free of grammar and spelling errors. ~Paper is free of errors and written with unique style. ................
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