Name:

Class:

WRITING

Final Essay Prompts Choose one of the topics below, and write a 4-5 paragraph essay in response. Your essay will analyze an aspect of the novelwith ample quotations from the novel and supporting texts as supportand establish a so what? statement that communicates a call to action to prevent such tragedies from happening during and after 2013. Your body paragraphs should refer to specific events, quotes, and ideas in the novelthey should not merely summarize the novels plot. Use 2-3 quotes and/or significant textual evidence to support your thesis. Option 1: What is Fitzgeralds comment on American and the American Dream in The Great Gatsby? How does he communicate his comment? You might consider one or multiple characters in the novel, our discussions of themes and overall messages, and our article/discussion of The Great Gatsby Curve. Option 2: To be American is to refuse to be limited by the circumstances of your birth. Consider the article we read about Anna Nicole Smith (from Time) and our discussions of the American Dream. Consider: How do you define the American Dreamer? What does this American Dreamer need to be successful? Is any character in The Great Gatsby a successful American Dreamer? Be sure to use quotations from both the article and TGG.
Your paper will be graded on: choice of thesis and quotations depth of analysisis your commentary sufficient to support your thesis? Correct essay (5-paragraph structure) and MLA format Correct grammar and mechanics

The Great Gatsby

The first draft of this essay will be due: Day 1, Week of March 18: __________________ The final draft of this essay will be due: Day 2, Week of March 18: __________________

Name:
Area

The Great Gatsby Final Essay Rubric

8: Strong

Prompt # ________

6: Proficient 4: Deficient 2: Weak Addresses the topic with Suggests confusion a thesis statement, but is about the topic, Understands the topic Suggests and inability less clear in its neglects important and addresses the to comprehend the assessment of the aspects of the prompt, prompt with a clear, prompt or to respond prompt; may treat the and/or does not insightful thesis meaningfully to the topic simplistically or include a thesis Quality & Clarity statement that is proven topic. No So what repetitively, but shows statement; of Thought throughout the body of associated with thesis depth of thought in demonstrates the essay. So what is or commentary to places. So what is confused or simplistic significant and show the significance clear, but may repeat thinking. So what is compelling to our study of this topic to our some of the concepts unclear, or too of TGG. study of TGG. already covered in our insignificant to our study of TGG. study of TGG. 5 paragraphs. Includes 4 paragraphs. Lacks compelling evidence and focus and analysis that advances organization; provides Not yet 4 complete the thesis and builds a 4-5 paragraphs. Is simplistic summary paragraphs. Is coherent, organized adequately organized without support; ideas unfocused, illogical, or argument; ideas are and developed, generally do not follow one incoherent; is supported by wellsupporting ideas with another; points lack disorganized and Support, chosen textual textual examples; uses reference to the undeveloped, Development, examples, and some transitions overall purpose of providing little or no and transitions between between paragraphs; their paragraph; uses relevant textual Organization paragraphs allow for a includes an introduction few or no transitions support; uses no smooth progression of and conclusion, but they between ideas; transitions between the paper; introduction may not draw reader in introduction and/or ideas; lacks an grabs the readers or tie up loose ends. conclusion are introduction and/or attention and conclusion simplistic and could conclusion ties up loose ends, be more engaging or provoking further clearer thought Demonstrates adequate Includes poor Lacks basic control of Uses an effective, fluent use of syntax and vocabulary, poor sentence variety and style marked by a variety language although in sentence structure, vocabulary; Has of sentence structures some cases sentences wordy expressions; Is serious and persistent and a clear command of might be wordy or marred by numerous errors in grammar, language; May have display little sentence Syntax, errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics some flaws, but is variety; May have some Grammar, and usage, and mechanics that severely interfere generally free from grammar errors, but Mechanics that frequently with meaning. No errors in grammar, generally demonstrates interfere with citations for usage, and mechanics. control of grammar, meaning. Some errors quotations, or shows Quotations integrated usage, and mechanics. in quotation inattention to and cited with correct Quotations integrated integration and/or integration and punctuation. and cited with mostly citation. citation punctuation. correct punctuation. Includes First Draft with Peer Edit Markings: _____ / 1 point Attention to MLA Formatting: Heading order/Left-aligned: ___/ point Title: ____/ point Date: ____/ point Last Name/Page # in Upper Right: ___/ point Times New Roman Font: ___/ point Double-Spaced: ____/ point

Total: _________ / 28 Writing Points