ENG4UToronto Prep SchoolEnglish 12
Othello Unit Test
Please choose ONE of the attached speeches.
Then, you will have 75 minutes to respond to the following questions in a short, well-organized, detail heavy, and sophisticated analytical essay.
à identify the dramatic context of the speech
à explain what the speech reveals about the character, motivations, and issues of the speaker
àdiscuss the thematic significance of the speech to the play as a whole
(appearance vs. reality, passion vs. reason, revenge, death, sexual jealousy, race, etc.)
à identify and analyze at least 3 of the figures of speech/poetic devices/motifs in the speech, and discuss what they contribute to the overall piece
(metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, symbolism, allusion, metonyms, etc.)
Specific Instructions:
1. Read through the entire assessment and marking scheme before you begin.
2. Choose your speech, and read it through like a poem, notating as you go.
3. Re-read the marking scheme.
4. Plan your response – write up a quick outline. – your thesis should be your argument about what the speech develops or contributes to the overall play
5. Ensure clarity, defence, thoughtfulness, and precision in each of your answers.
6. Each of you will be allowed one “cheat sheet” index card, which you may bring in to the assessment – no other notes/resources allowed.
7. Respond to all of the above questions in the order you like, in formal academic style, in proper English. Use quotations from the speech itself. You may use examples or quotations from other parts of the play.
Knowledge and Understanding /10 Thinking /10
- course terms are used correctly - sophisticated analysis of character(s)
- play details are correct and relevant - analysis of motivation/issues
- identification of speech context - exploration of thematics of this play
- character details are correct and relevant - connection of imagery patterns to the play
- your writing reveals a clear understanding as a whole
of the order of action and character - connection of speech to the rest of
relationships in the play the action in the play
Communication /10 Application /10
- clarity of writing - figures of speech identified and analyzed
- spelling/grammar/punctuation with sophistication
- defence of points made - formal writing skills used
- quotations are integrated - quotations are well selected and used
- organization of writing - sophisticated diction on YOUR part
- connection of the character/speech to
the relevance of this play in the cannon