Short Answer Formal Response (Study Guide) #3:

Readings on Love, Sexuality, Friendship, and Gender

(Readings from March 30 through April 20)

English 14 - K. Douglass Due: Wednesday, April 22

Total minimum page length: 1000 words (250 for each paragraph)

REMEMBER, you cannot answer in a single paragraph with full complete attention to all aspects of the question. What I want from you is detailed, penetrating responses on one aspect or example that relates to the question. The first sentence of each response should function like your thesis statement for the short answer response. Then defend it in detail with an example or two. If you have more questions about this format, see me or email me. You will get the chance to stick to one argument for a more extended discussion in your short papers and exam essays. These study guides help you to prep for exams, and tease out a single important theme in any given work.

Formatting:

(These formatting rules are the same for all Study Guides.) Your formatting at the top of the paper should follow the MLA guidelines. Instead of a creative title, your "title" for each study guide will simply be the number and description title of the guide (i.e. the first two lines on this piece of paper). All answers should be in Times or Times New Roman 12 pt. font, with one-inch margins all around, double-spaced. You may enter an extra space between answers, but not between paragraphs if your answers are more than one paragraph. All overall word count requirements are minimum requirements (if you have less, your SG will be an automatic fail regardless of total grade on individual questions); you may write more if you wish (unless otherwise noted.)

You must respond to ALL of the following questions; do not write about the same work for more than one question:

  1. Marriage: Select one of the works listed here and make a claim about the representation of marriage in the work. How does the representation of marriage contribute to the making or questioning of gender roles and the social position of women. Use textual evidence. Emily Dickinson’s “She Rose to His Requirement – dropt,” Sui Sin Far “Mrs. Spring Fragrance,” Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “An Ancient Gesture,” Edith Wharton’s “The Other Two,” Hisaye Yamamoto’s “Seventeen Syllables,” Ban Zhao’s “Lessons for Women”. [ONE PARAGRAPH MINIMUM]
  2. Marriage in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening: How does Chopin’s depiction of marriage differ or compare with the text discussed in your first answer? Using textual evidence from Chopin, discuss how Chopin’s text address the same questions in #1 differently or similarly from the text discussed in #1, and how the comparison further illuminates either text. [ONE PARAGRAPH MINIMUM]
  3. Imagery in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening: Chopin makes use of many repeated images to enhance and support the telling of her story. Analyze one recurring image in the story from the following list, looking at how it evolves over the course of the story, and how it assists in the unfolding of the narrative: the sea, the language & vocabulary of money, the paired image of the lovers and the lady in black, references to birds throughout the story. [ONE PARAGRAPH MINIMUM]
  4. Race/Ethnicity in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening Throughout the novella there are various characters of color in the background of the story. These characters usually occupy positions in the servant class. Chopin uses a wide variety of terms to refer to the various differences among these non-white characters; these terms typically refer to the racial make up of the characters. Though the story is clearly not overtly about race, the copious, though subtle, attention to various kinds of multi-racial identities, as well as the treatment of these characters by their wealthy, white employers suggests that race is clearly an important subtext in the story. Discuss Chopin’s use of race and racial difference (which is also marked here by class and class difference) in the story and what you think the purpose and function of the themes relating to this topic are in the narrative.[ONE PARAGRAPH MINIMUM]

Grading Rubric for Study Guide #3

Question #1 / A: 100-98, 95, 92
Mastery of skill / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory
skill level / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic skill level
achieved / D: 65
Failed skill / F: 50
Element missing
Thesis: The thesis is clear and thoughtful and directly and appropriately responds to the prompt (but more complexly than yes or no).
Text (Quote) Analysis for Argument Support: The answer uses quotes and examples from the text that support the thesis. The quotes are discussed in terms of their language, context, tone, or other literary element(s) that contribute to the support of the argument.
Originality / Critical Thinking & Analysis: The response is original and insightful and addresses the topic fully and insightfully and explores the issue(s) thoughtfully and critically.
Grammar, Punctuation, Usage, Spelling: The response is well written and well organized with no sentence or grammar errors or stylistic problems.
Question #2 / A: 100-98, 95, 92
Mastery / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic / D: 65
Failed / F: 50
Missing
Thesis
Quotes / Argument Support
Originality / Analysis
Grammar, etc.
Question #3 / A: 100-98, 95, 92
Mastery / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic / D: 65
Failed / F: 50
Missing
Thesis
Quotes / Argument Support
Originality / Analysis
Grammar, etc.
Question #4 / A: 100-98, 95, 92
Mastery / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic / D: 65
Failed / F: 50
Missing
Thesis
Quotes / Argument Support
Originality / Analysis
Grammar, etc.

Avg. for each question #1______#2______#3______#4______Total Average/Grade: ______