Period One: ENG2D1: Divergent Literary Essay Task Name:
Task: To write a 550- 900 word literary essay that explores one of the key ideas and issues presented in the novel.
You should have an introduction with a clear and concise thesis statement, three body paragraphs that use appropriate topic sentences, developed ideas and at least two supporting direct quotes per paragraph with MLA citations and clear explanations, and end with a clear conclusion that has a reworded thesis statement. After your essay, you should have a Works Cited that shows the referencing information from the text you used.
Note: Do not consult any secondary sources for this writing task.
Task Organization:
Mon. / Tues. / Wed. / Thur. / Fri.9
Divergent Film / 10
Introduction
Planning
Literary Essay Review / 11
OSSLT Series of Paragraphs / 12
Planning
Thesis Conference / 13
Thesis Conference
March / Break / March 16 - 20
23
Rough Draft / 24
Rough Draft / 25
OSSLT Prep.
Editing & Revision / 26
OSSLT / 27
Good Copy
Typing Period
30
Good Copy
Typing Period / 31 / 1 / 2
FINAL COPY DUE / 3
Good Friday – no class
FINAL POLISHED COPY DUE: THURSDAY APRIL 2nd , 2015
Choose a Prompt: Read the prompts, and choose a focus for your essay. If you would like to attempt a topic not presented, please see the teacher.
Plan Ideas: Using the thesis planner, you need to start to plan your literary arguments. You should organize your topic, and provide your planning for three points that support your essay topic. You must make sure you have a minimum of six direct quotes and detailed explanation ideas to support your points.
Thesis & Planning Conference: Before starting the rough draft, you will have a conference with the teacher. You must show a rough thesis, and what examples you are going to use to support your thesis. If you are not prepared, you will not receive the Thinking & Inquiry marks.
Rough Draft: Start writing your first draft. You may hand write your rough draft. Be sure to follow the proper essay structure. If you type a rough draft, you must print the draft and show editing/revision to earn credit for the draft. You will also have a conference with the teacher to check your progress. It is important to have another person look at your work and be sure you have all key details and proper structure. You will receive Thinking & Inquiry marks for drafts that show clear revision and process.
Polished Copy: Using a 12 point, clear font and the proper MLA essay format discussed in class, type your good copy. Review your good copy carefully before you print, and be sure that you have Works Cited. Your knowledge of the text, critical thinking, communication skills and use of proper MLA will be assessed.
Literary Essay Prompts: Choose one to help focus your essay.
1. One of the most revealing types of conflict occurs when a character’s inner struggles are resolved at great personal price. Often, the character learns a lesson, but too late to help themselves or another character. In your essay, focus on the conflict within the character. Be sure to include the price paid as part of the resolution and the lesson to be learned.
2. Often in literary works, authors choose a physical object which takes on a special significance in the work and becomes a symbol of something beyond itself. Show how, in the work that you read, the author uses a symbol to convey an important meaning. In your essay, focus on the symbol and what it symbolizes. Be sure to discuss how the author uses it to convey a message to readers. You may choose three important symbols from the novel, or you may choose to elaborate on one symbol in all three body paragraphs.
3. Divergent is full of deep themes and lessons. Using character development, settings, conflict and character motivations, create a literary essay that showcases one of the following themes:
a) Choices can transform an individual
b) Power: Making other people do exactly what you want them to do
c) If people were more accepting of others, there wouldn’t be so much conflict
d) Secrets can protect or distance people
e) Positive relationships cannot exist without trust
f) There are many sides to an individual
g) Friendship and companionship is important
*Remember that the thesis of an essay must make a judgment or take a stand as well as announce the subject of the essay. The above topics are not theses, but are topics out of which you will create your thesis/argument.
*Also remember that your thesis should answer the “so what?!” question. It’s not enough to say “Scout walks in three different people’s shoes.” You must take it further. (i.e. Through walking in other people’s shoes, Scout is able to learn humility.)
Literary Essay Success Criteria – based on past literary writing
· Five paragraphs (introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion)· Six examples/direct quotations from the text with page references
· SEE: statement/lead in/example/explanation
· Capitals, proper punctuation and grammar
· Present tense
· Hand in your rubric with the assignment
· Novel title= italics / · Indent at the beginning of each paragraph
· Double spaced
· Size 12, Times New Roman font
· MLA format: Citations & Works Cited
· Use formal language: no contractions, slang, personal pronouns, etc.