PAH Honors English 10: Comparison/Contrast
A hard copy of your essay is due IN CLASS no later than Monday, December 6, 2010.
Prompt: Choose two topics (grinding ball, arroyo, golf course, etc) in Alberto Alvaro Rios’, The Secret Lion, and compare or contrast what the boys discover about the appearances and realities of growing up. You may use any literary element (symbol, metaphor, motif, foreshadow, setting, etc…) to prove your claim.
Introduction: the purpose of the introduction in an analytical paper is to set the essay in the context of the story
1.) Introduce the title of the play (Italicize)
2.) The author’s name (first and last name the first time you use it, then last name only)
3.) The characters and the setting
a. The above three points are one sentence
4.) A short summary of the story that focuses on the paper’s topic (3-4 sentences). Do not include statements that you will prove in your paper. Lead into your thesis statement.
5.) Develop your thesis statement. One sentence at the end of the paragraph that utilizes active verbs and imagery. In order to score advanced you must creatively restate your prompt.
DO NOT
*Do not use quotes in the introduction
*Give your opinion about how well the author has done something
*Open with an “everyone in the world throughout history statement.”
Body Paragraphs:
Transition to the 1st body paragraph’s topic sentence. DO NOT QUOTE FROM THE TEXT IN YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE. Then develop this paragraph with a series of statements that analyze the American Dream and support your claim using active verbs, imagery, and quotes from the text.
The last sentence of each paragraph must END THE PARAGRAPH. Do not introduce the next paragraph here but be mindful of abrupt transitions.
***Transition to the next paragraph by referring to the last sentence of the previous paragraph. This reference could be repetition of a key word or phrase from the previous sentence or by using a connecting word or phrase. Instead of forecasting ahead at the end of a paragraph, you will refer back at the beginning of the paragraph.
Conclusion:
Next, transition to your concluding paragraph; this is probably the most difficult paragraph to write. DO NOT RESTATE YOUR THESIS STATEMENT. In a short paper your reader can remember your thesis statement. You can allude to the thesis, but do not restate it. Instead, give the reader your last thoughts, your concluding ideas, and an AND SO WHAT statement? (And so what will happen next? And so what has the character gained or lost? And so what connection is there to the ideas of your paper and the real world?) And so what does the author reveal about the American Dream?
One technique of giving your paper a satisfying sense of completion and unity is to refer back to an idea or a word in your introduction.
Grading Criteria
The “8-9” Paper:
- A paper of outstanding quality and content, arrangement, style, format, and mechanics.
- Shows originality of thought in stating and developing a central idea.
- Information presented is complete and is presented clearly, concisely, and effectively. Contains the following qualities of good writing:
- Careful construction and organization of sentences and paragraphs
- Careful choice of effective words and phrases
- Concentration on main purpose with adequate development and support.
- Proper use of a semicolon, comma, colon and dash
- Must demonstrate correct use of all four punctuations
- Careful use of active verbs, imagery, and figurative language
- Careful and correct use of direct citations from text
- The paper, then, will not only demonstrate competence, but will excel in the creative and argumentative aspects of writing.
The “6-7” Paper:
- A paper above quality in content, arrangement, style, format, and mechanics.
- Has a clearly stated central purpose, is logically and adequately developed.
- Ideas are clear. It is comparatively free of errors in the use of English.
- Information presented is complete and is presented clearly, concisely, and effectively. Contains the following qualities of good writing:
- Careful construction and organization of sentences and paragraphs
- Careful choice of effective words and phrases
- Concentration on main purpose with adequate development and support.
- Proper use of a semicolon, comma, colon and dash
- Demonstrates correct use of most of the above punctuations
- Careful use of active verbs, imagery, and figurative language
- Correct and correct use of direct citations from text
- Although above average, the “B” paper lacks the originality of thought and style that characterizes the “A” paper.
The “Anything less than” Paper:
- A paper of below unacceptable quality in content, arrangement, style, format, and mechanics. Contains serious errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Fails to state and develop a main idea.
The following are weaknesses characteristic of a paper that does not meet proficiency:
1.) Comma splices and run-on sentences
2.) Contractions
3.) The pronouns YOU and I
4.) Incoherence
5.) Inadequate statement or development of main idea
6.) Passive voice
7.) No demonstration of imagery or active verbs
8.) No support from text
9.) Incorrect citations
Note on Grading: Creativity, depth of thought, ability to reason, ability to judge the quality of reasons used, the ability to revise and edit, and the ability to use English properly are what set one paper apart from another. I will look at your work as objectively as possible, and I will let you know that evaluation is part of the teaching process—that is was I have been trained to do. While these standards may look tough and challenging to you, they are not impossible to reach, and I am here to help you.
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