Name ______English 4
Quarterly Assessment 1: Writing Section
Directions: Choose one of the following topics below to write a 4-paragraph essay. Your essay should contain the following:
- An introduction (approx. 3 sentences) that restates the writing prompt, develops your main idea, and concludes with a thesis statement
- 2 body paragraphs that start with a strong topic sentence, varied examples from the novel, and an analysis in your own words to demonstrate the significance of your examples.
- A conclusion “paragraph” that is 3 sentences max. to sum up your main ideas and finalize your overall point about your chosen topic.
- Use proper grammar, transitions, and examples without summarizing the entire novel. Focus on analysis. Make a point, prove it, and explain its overall importance in the context of the novel as it relates to your topic.
Essay Topics:
1. FEAR & MOTIVATION: Write about two instances in which men from the Alpha Company used fear as motivation to act preposterously to spare their image. Choose one or more characters and explain why you believe the character(s) acted this way. (*Hint- Curt Lemon and the dentist or the Halloween mask situation...Azar's antics...Tim and his revenge on Jorgenson)
2. THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT WAR: Choose TWO characters such as Rat Kiley, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, Ted Lavender, Curt Lemon, Jimmy Cross, etc. and through their stories, describe how O’Brien reveals the ugly yet graphic truth of the Vietnam War.
3. THE THINGS THEY CARRIED: Analyze the symbolic role of one of the objects that one or more of the soldiers carries in the book's title story. Describe what the object represents to that character(s) and why he chooses to carry it. Support your analysis with examples from the novel.
4. TRUTH AND WAR STORIES: Throughout the book, O'Brien casts doubt on the truth of his stories. Why does he do so? Does the truth in this book matter? Why/why not? What is the difference between facts and truth in this novel? Analyze the impact of the "truth" behind this novel.