English 12

Literary Paragraph Assignment

Short Stories

Choose one of the following topics and write a literary paragraph on one of them.

Please follow the outline and example literary paragraph structure exactly as I’ve laid them out for you.

Topics:

  1. Discuss the character of Elisa in “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck.
  2. Discuss mood in “The Marker on the Side of the Boat” by Bao Ninh
  3. Discuss how family and relationships play a role in “Red Bean Ice” by Nancy Lee
  4. Discuss conflict in “Touching Bottom” by Kari Strutt
  5. Discuss symbolism in “Touching Bottom” by Kari Strutt

Paragraph Assignment: Choose a topic write a literary paragraph. Use two or more quotations to support your discussion.

Please remember to have:

A title that sheds light on the content (creativity is a plus!)

1 page double-spaced typed

correct Grammar and Spelling

present tense (including quotations)

objective voice (NO “I”)

Quotations are incorporated into the text (that is, the text becomes a part of your writing)

an introductory sentence, a middle body, and a concluding sentence

Use high level vocabulary without colloquial language or contractions

See rubric on next page. Please attach to your completed paragraph.

Rubric:

Name:______

English 11/12

Mrs. Taylor

Literary Paragraph Rubric

Area of assessment / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Mechanics, Grammar and conventions of writing / Clear, controlled, and precise writing. Grammar, punctuation and spelling correct, but need not be error-free. / Clear and controlled writing. Grammar, punctuation and spelling correct, but need not be error-free. / Competent writing. Grammar, punctuation and spelling may have errors. / Barely competent writing. Grammar, punctuation and spelling have errors throughout. / Lacks control of language conventions which hinders communication. / Very little to no control of language conventions which hinders communication.
Style and use of language / Mature style with depth of discussion. Excellent syntactical choices and outstanding vocabulary. / Proficient style with depth of discussion. Good vocabulary used throughout. / Competent style with some depth of discussion. Basic vocabulary utilized. / Basic style with some depth of discussion. Very basic vocabulary used. / Chooses inappropriate level of language and voice for specific audience and purpose. / Chooses inappropriate level of language and voice for specific audience and purpose.
Discussion of topic / Answers the discussion question with insightful details. Uses excellent quotation incorporation. / Answers the discussion topic with clear details.
Uses good quotation incorporation. / Answers the discussion question competently with some details. Attempts to use quotes. / Answers the discussion question that, for the most part, gives some details. May attempt to use quotes. / Does not address the topic effectively. Ineffective details or information. / Does not address the topic. Few to no details or information.
Organization / Provides a carefully shaped and effective controlling idea or thesis which is skillfully integrated throughout. Connections and organizational structure are excellent. / Provides a well-shaped controlling idea or thesis which is integrated throughout. Connections and organizational structure are proficient. / Provides a controlling idea which is integrated throughout. Connections and organizational structure are competent.
May be short in length which hinders full discussion of the topic. / Provides a controlling idea which may be integrated throughout. Connections and organizational structure are basic. May be too short to fully address the topic. / Provides little to no controlling idea. Connections and organizational structure are lacking. May be too short to address the topic. / Provides no controlling idea. No connections or organizational structure evident. Too short to fully address the topic.

Total /12

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