Name: ______Date: ______

Writing Assignment #2 Puritan Legacy

While viewing The Crucible, consider the film and the play as useful media for examining the social and political life of Puritan New England at the end of the 17th century. Far from a stable, controlled existence, the Puritans in Massachusetts were embroiled in a series of conflicts over property ownership, and religious practices. Their claim to the land was threatened by warring Native American tribes and conflicting colonial interests. Their health was embattled by epidemics and contaminated food supplies. While the film and the play capture many of these experiences, some have been fictionalized for dramatic effect.

For this assignment, explore the complex portrait of Puritan life. Please consider writing about any number of the following: (1) the relationship of religion to the early development of a democratic government; (2) the impact and change of deeply held beliefs; (3) or the social status of men, women and children in the life of colonial New England; (4) fear, lust, greed escalating to a fever pitch.

Requirements:

  • Create a 12-15 lined poem that exemplifies one (or all) of the four categories and a reflective paragraph interpreting your chosen selections.
  • Include six poetic devices (imagery, metaphor, simile)
  • Label the poetic devices on your final draft
  • Make appropriate and deliberate stanza breaks
  • Explicitly and expertly address one of the content categories in 200-250 words

Rubric:

A. Student’s poem is excellent; the writer shows nature to the reader and excites the readers’ imagination. The poet’s message is clear. The title helps the reader understand the poem. There are no careless grammar, spelling, or mechanics errors. The reflection is excellent because it has clear topic sentences, logical organization and effective support. The grammar and mechanics are nearly flawless, and it makes the paper easy to read. Well done!

B. Student’s poem is very good; the poet’s message is very clear, but the details confuse the reader sometimes. There may need to be more details, or the organization of the poem may need improvement. The title is appropriate. There are minor errors in grammar, spelling, or mechanics. The reflection is very good because it has clear topic sentences. The organization and support are appropriate with minor errors that begin to confuse the reader in places. The grammar and mechanics are appropriate, but more careful attention to revision and editing would make the reflection more readable. Good job!

C. Student’s poem represents an honest attempt at the assignment, but it requires substantial revision. The poet’s message is present, but it is vague. The details are disorganized, and they confuse the reader. The absence of detail in key verses leaves the reader confused. The title is too common. Errors in grammar, spelling, or mechanics begin to interfere with the reader’s understanding of the poem. The reflection is sufficient. While it is well organized, the clarity of the topic sentences is inconsistent, and their support is, overall, barely adequate. More careful attention must be paid to revision and editing because errors in grammar and mechanics begin to interfere with the reading of the reflection.

D. Student’s work is clearly rushed, and the verses show that very little thought has been put into the assignment. The poem is confusing: key elements of the assignment are missing, and errors in grammar, spelling, or mechanics interfere with the reader’s understanding of the poem. The reflection is barely adequate. The topic sentences are unclear, the organization is confusing, and the support is inappropriate. Numerous errors in grammar and mechanics make the piece difficult to read. Extra help is recommended.

F. Student’s work is significantly late, or the assignment is incomplete.

Film Notes Template: Identify examples from the film and take notes for all FOUR categories.

(1) the relationship of religion to the early development of a democratic government / (2) the impact and change of deeply held beliefs
(3) the social status of men, women and children in the life of colonial New England / (4) fear, lust, greed escalating to a fever pitch