High School English Paper on Water for Elephants book
Grade 11 English Canadian Literature ISP Please Read Water for Elephants written by Sara Gruen ISP Components: 1. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: The introductory paragraph of your literary essay (see #3 of the Due Dates section), including thesis, must be handed in before the final essay is due. Additionally, you must include a list of six quotes from the novel that you anticipate using to support your thesis. 2. LITERARY ESSAY: In a formal, literary essay approximately 3.5 to 4 pages in length (900-1000 words), discuss and analyze an important theme in the novel, or choose a main character and analyze his/her development throughout the novel. As you read, you should be thinking about the “author’s message” (about some element of human nature, or about society, etc.). How does the author communicate this message through the depiction of the character/theme/issue? The answers to these questions will help you to write your thesis. Essays must be typed, size 12 point, Times New Roman font, M.L.A. Format. 3. PROCESS & FORMAT: Students are expected to follow specific formatting instructions (M.L.A. Parenthetical Citation Format, Common Errors Checklist, Proofreading for Spelling/Grammar, etc.) to be discussed and distributed in class; and, students are expected to submit all work on time. □ Double spaced □ 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins all around □ 12-point Times New Roman font □ Pages are numbered □ Avoids personal pronouns □ Each paragraph is a reasonable length (½ to ¾ of a page long) □ Avoids using contractions and other informal and cliché language/slang □ Includes a list of Works Cited (Bibliography) at the end of the essay/assignment □ Properly references quotations and paraphrasing in the M.L.A. parenthetical format □ Italicize book and film titles (e.g. Exodus) □ Uses present-tense verbs when discussing works of literature and film □ Properly indent the first line of each paragraph □ No extra spaces between paragraphs □ Avoids all typos and spelling errors (proofread)! □ Submitted, on time, to Turn It In □ 3.5 Pages □ 6 quotes PROCESS & DUE DATES: DESCRIPTION COMPLETION DATE EXPECTATIONS & EVALUATION The essay must be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, include a bibliography on the final page, and conform to all M.L.A. standards of documentation and formatting. In order to ensure an in-depth analysis with ample evidence in support of your thesis, you must include in your essay a minimum of 6 QUOTATIONS from the novel in your essay. Ideally, there should be at least two quotes per BODY paragraph (excluding the introduction and conclusion). For the essay, the use of secondary sources is allowed, but not required. If you choose to use secondary sources, be careful not to let these sources overtake your own analysis and be sure to cite your sources. The consequences for plagiarizing are severe, so be careful to cite your sources and use your own words and ideas! You will submit the I.S.P. through Turn It In. Marks may be deducted for late work. Plagiarism will result in a zero for the entire project. You may not choose a novel you have already studied in school. DRAFT RUBRIC: 4 Draft intro paragraph (including highlighted thesis statement) & draft list of potential quotes submitted to the Google Classroom. Jan.12, 2021 5 Dr. Nadler will give feedback on each intro paragraph a.s.a.p. a.s.a.p. 6 Final I.S.P. submitted to turnitin.com Feb.24th, 2021 Level 1 (50 – 59) Level 2 (60 – 69) Level 3 (70 – 79) Level 4 (80 – 89) Level 4+ (90 – 100) Observations/ Conversations (/10) Process work unsatisfactory and consistently late Process work incomplete and completed occasionally on time Process work satisfactory and completed mostly on time Process work done well and completed on time Process work thorough and completed on time Thesis statement (T - /5) Unclear thesis Thesis stated, but too general Thesis stated, but somewhat simplistic Thesis stated clearly and precisely Sophisticated thesis stated clearly and precisely Structure (A - /10) Limited introduction and / or conclusion; lacking proper paragraph structure Points introduced and summarized but unclear; problematic paragraph structure Satisfactory introduction and conclusion; satisfactory paragraph structure Very good introduction and conclusion; well structured paragraphs Excellent introduction and conclusion; very well structured paragraphs Content – quality of arguments and supporting evidence (K/U - /20) (T - /20) Weak content – limited relevant evidence Content is unclear – not always logically related to main idea – somewhat relevant evidence Arguments usually clear and logically related to main idea – most points supported with relevant evidence Arguments quite clear and logically related to main idea – each point supported with relevant evidence Excellent arguments, all related to main idea – each point supported with strong evidence Mechanics – spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence flow, vocabulary (C - /25) Grammar and / or spelling used with limited accuracy; lack of sentence flow; weak vocabulary Grammar and / or spelling used with some accuracy; some sentence flow; some effective vocabulary and phrasing Grammar and / or spelling used with considerable accuracy; sentence flow mostly effective; mostly good vocabulary and phrasing Grammar and / or spelling used with accuracy; very good sentence flow; vocabulary and phrasing specific Grammar and / or spelling used precisely and accurately; excellent sentence flow; vocabulary and phrasing specific and varied Quotation usage and integration (A - /10) Limited number of quotations; poorly integrated Some quotations included; little integration Satisfactory number of quotations; some integrated well Appropriate number of well-chosen quotations; most integrated well Appropriate number of excellently-chos en quotations; all integrated well Grade 11 English Canadian Literature ISP Student’s Name __________________________________________________________ Student’s Book Choice ____________________________________________________ I understand that, in choosing this book for my ISP, I am making a commitment to read my selected book. I understand that book changes are highly discouraged. Student Signature ________________________________________________________ Your child must choose an award winning work of fiction by a Canadian author for the English ISP. Please see the first page for a list of due dates and the assignment details. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Dr. Janna Nadler jnadler@bastoronto.org Parent’s Name ___________________________________________________________ I am aware that my child has chosen to read _________________________________ (title of book) for the gr.11 English I.S.P. Parent Signature __________________________________________________________ mailto:jnadler@bastoronto.org