Important Notice: Failure to complete this assignment will result in immediate failure of 11 CP English. This is a school policy and it will be enforced. What type of paper am I writing? o Your research paper is a Cultural Criticism. This type of paper requires you to research the author’s life and times in order to explain the autobiographical (influences from the author’s life and times) evident in their novel. How will I organize outside research, as well as examples from the author’s novel to show evidence of my outside research in the text? o In order to complete a Cultural Criticism, you will need to fully explain three factors from the author’s life, as well as, provide analysis that explains exactly how each autobiographical element is represented in the novel. 1. Choose an author/novel combination. 2. Read the selected work. 3. Choose 3 elements that influenced your author to write the novel that you read. 4. Prove that the author was influenced by these 3 elements by explaining your point of view and supporting it with both textual evidence (examples and quotes from the novel) and outside sources in a well-written research paper that is: Four (4) pages in length 12-point Times New Roman font
Transcript
Important Notice: Failure to complete this assignment will result in immediate failure of 11 CP English. This is a school policy and it will be enforced.
Assignment Overview
What type of paper am I writing?o Your research paper is a Cultural Criticism. This type of paper requires you to research
the author’s life and times in order to explain the autobiographical (influences from the author’s life and times) evident in their novel.
How will I organize outside research, as well as examples from the author’s novel to show evidence of my outside research in the text?
o In order to complete a Cultural Criticism, you will need to fully explain three factors from the author’s life, as well as, provide analysis that explains exactly how each autobiographical element is represented in the novel.
Therefore, you should follow the outlined format below:P1 = Introduction (AGD, Transition, 3-Tier Thesis)Connective transitionP2 = Factual summary of first background influence. (This paragraph must include internal citations for all paraphrased and summarized background research from your outside sources)Connective transitionP3 = Specific analysis of events, characters, themes and/or figurative elements from the novel that correlate (represent / connect) with the factual information presented in P2. This novel analysis paragraph not only needs to contain multiple specific / summarized examples from your novel, it also MUST contain a cited quote from your novel that is accurately framed to establish specific proof concerning your overall analysis.Connective transitionP4 = complete the same steps as presented in P2 for your second main influence (cite all background info)Connective transitionP5 = complete the same steps as presented in P3 for your second main influence as represented in the novel (remember to provide one cited quote from the text) Connective transition
1. Choose an author/novel combination.
2. Read the selected work.
3. Choose 3 elements that influenced your author to write the novel that you read.
4. Prove that the author was influenced by these 3 elements by explaining your point of view and supporting it with both textual evidence (examples and quotes from the novel) and outside sources in a well-written research paper that is:
Four (4) pages in length 12-point Times New Roman font Double Spaced 1 inch margins Meets all requirements of the attached rubric (last page of packet)
P6 = complete the same steps as presented in P2 for your third main influence (cite all background info)Connective transitionP7 = complete the same steps as presented in P3 for your third main influence as represented in the novel (remember to provide one cited quote from the text) P8 = Summative Conclusion (Transition, Re-phrased Thesis, Clincher)Insert Page BreakFinal Page = Works Cited with at least 3 cited outside sources and your cited novel (Note: All 3 outside sources must be considered scholarly texts; furthermore, one must be Novels for Students.)
What choices will I be given for topic selection?o You may select a topic from the provided approved topic list.o Each listed topic contains an author/novel combination. You will research the assigned
author’s life and read the listed novel.o Note: only one researcher per topic; therefore, topics will be assigned.
Once I have a topic, what do I do next? Your first assignment is to read, comprehend, and analyze your author’s novel. You must
complete an independent reading log to record your investigation and demonstrate your understanding of the text. (View Reading Log Direction Handout)
What type of thesis statement will my paper require? You will use a three tier thesis format that clearly indicates elements of your author’s life
that influenced the construction of the text. The Cultural Criticism 3-Tier Thesis:
o Your Cultural Criticism 3-Tier Thesis MUST CONTAIN: (1) Author’s full name (2) 3 specific influences from your author’s background, life, writing style
and/or era (3) The title of your novel Furthermore, a verb must be included that indicates how the listed main
ideas influenced your author’s construction of the assigned novel.
o Example 3 –Tier Cultural Criticism Thesis Statements for William Golding and Lord of the Flies
Example #1 William Golding drew from his experiences in WWII, his interest in Coral Island and his mastery of Anglo-Saxon literature to construct his novel, Lord of the Flies.
Example #2 William Golding developed the themes in Lord of the Flies from experiences connected to the Battle of the Bismarck, D-Day and his return from active duty.
Example #3 William Golding’s understanding of war, the Bible and allegory influenced his construction of the novel, Lord or the Flies.
Directions: Choose one of the following author/novel combinations. Be prepared to research the author’s life and read the assigned novel. Your goal is to prove that factors from the author’s life are evident in elements of the text. Note: All topics are from Novels for Students.
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One researcher per topic – Topics will be assigned.Vol. 1Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (89)Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (138)Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (180)Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen (282)
Vol. 2The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (1)One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey (218)Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (308)
Vol. 3Animal Farm by George Orwell (1)The Awakening by Kate Chopin (45)Grendel by John Gardner (183)A Passage to India by E.M. Forster (231) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (258)
Vol. 4Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (88)Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (159)Seize the Day by Saul Bellow
Vol. 5The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver (27)Ethan Frome by Edith Warton (122)A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (349)
Vol. 6Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (52)Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (74)
Vol. 7Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (17)Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg (85)1984 by George Orwell (233)A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (256)The Trial by Franz Kafka (281)
Vol. 8Don Quiote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (59)Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard (80)The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein (94)On the Road by Jack Kerouac (180)Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie (242)
Vol.9Gone with the Wind (by Margaret Mitchell)...90The Last of the Mohicans (by James Fenimore Cooper)...132Out of Africa (by Isak Dinesen)...187The Prince (by Niccolo Machiavelli)...205Robinson Crusoe (by Daniel Defoe)...228
Vol.10A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens)...65Howards End (by E. M. Forster)...179Pigs in Heaven (by Barbara Kingsolver)...216
Vol. 11The Age of Innocence (by Edith Wharton)...1Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (by Robert Louis Stevenson)...195A Room with a View (by E. M. Forster)...285Watership Down (by Richard Adams)...337
Vol. 12Animal Dreams (by Barbara Kingsolver)...24Little Women (by Louisa May Alcott)...116
Vol. 13All the King's Men (by Robert Penn Warren)...27Brideshead Revisited (by Evelyn Waugh)...54Moll Flanders (by Daniel Defoe)...145The Remains of the Day (by Kazuo Ishiguro)...212Vanity Fair (by William Thackeray)...284
Vol. 14Oliver Twist (by Charles Dickens)...126Persuasion (by Jane Austen)...152The Three Musketeers (by Alexandre Dumas)...266
Vol. 15A Clockwork Orange (by Anthony Burgess)...1The House of Mirth (by Edith Wharton)...60
Vol. 16The Day of the Locust (by Nathanael West)...1The Fountainhead (by Ayn Rand)...102The Turn of the Screw (by Henry James)...246
Vol. 17Smilla's Sense of Snow (by Peter Høeg) . . .191Soul Catcher (by Frank Herbert) . . ..221The Time Machine (by H. G. Wells) . . .247
Vol. 18Dracula (by Bram Stoker) . .. 22Sense and Sensibility(by Jane Austen) . . . 119
Vol. 19The Count of Monte Cristo (by Alexandre Dumas) … 48
Vol. 20Hard Times (by Charles Dickens) . . . 26The Hunchback of Notre Dame (by Victor Hugo) . . . 80The Picture of Dorian Gray (by Oscar Wilde) . . . 146
Vol. 23The English Patient (by Michael Ondaatje)...20Gravity's Rainbow (by Thomas Pynchon)...52The Stone Diaries (by Carol Shields)...246
Vol. 24The Bone People (by Keri Hulme)...1The Bridge of San Luis Rey (by Thornton Wilder)...31The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (by C. S. Lewis)...151The Poisonwood Bible (by Barbara Kingsolver)...199Steppenwolf (by Hermann Hesse)...221
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Silas Marner (by George Eliot) . . . 166The War of the Worlds (by H. G. Wells) . . . 251The Wind in the Willows (by Kenneth Grahame) . . . 268
Vol. 25David Copperfield (by Charles Dickens). . . 83The Deerslayer (by James Fenimore Cooper) . . . 110
Vol. 26The Killer Angels (by Michael Shaara) 63The Lord of the Rings (by J. R. R. Tolkien) 112
Vol. 27The Golden Notebook (by Doris Lessing 79The Secret Life of Bees (by Sue Monk Kidd) 226The Talented Mr. Ripley (by Patricia Highsmith) 250Through the Looking-Glass (by Lewis Carroll) 275
Today: Review the topic list and complete the Topic Selection Research Organizer Topics will be assigned based on completed organizer responses. Only one researcher per topic. Be prepared to research your topic in the Library!
Independent Homework: After you have been assigned a topic, it is your responsibility to acquire the identified novel
and begin reading your text. To acquire the text, visit our school library, the local library, online, or a local bookstore. Independently complete the requirements outlined for the Independent Reading Log (view
handout). The sooner you begin reading your text, the better.
Once you have read your novel, we will conduct research in the Library: Report directly to the Library on the designated days. Conduct background research in Novels for Students Identify three outside influences from your author’s life Devise a 3-Tier Thesis Connect and apply your independent comprehension of the novel to collected research
notes
Assignment #1 – Total Score: _____ / 30
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Topic Selection Research OrganizerDirections: (1) Review the approved topic list (2) Use the Internet to conduct a brief survey of each selection that grabs your interest
(3) Decide on three topic selections and rank them in order of interest (#1 – most desired topic, etc…) (4) Use Novels for Students (online or Reference Guide) to complete the following tasks.
You will be assigned one of your three identified topic selections.
1.) My #1 choice is ________________________________________________________ (author / novel title)
1a.) What is the volume / page upon which the Literary Criticism for your selected topic is located in Novels for Students?
1b.) In 20 words or less, provide a description of the selected novel.
1c.) What setting(s) and time period are related to your author’s construction of the novel?
1d.) List 3 areas of your author’s life and/or times that you believe influenced their writing of the novel?
1.
2.
3.
1e.) In 20 words or less, explain why you are interested in this topic.2.) My #2 choice is ________________________________________________________ (author / novel title)
2a.) What is the volume / page upon which the Literary Criticism for your selected topic is located in Novels for Students?
3b.) In 20 words or less, provide a description of the selected novel.
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3c.) What setting(s) and time period are related to your author’s construction of the novel?
3d.) List 3 areas of your author’s life and/or times that you believe influenced their writing of the novel?
1.
2.
3.
3e.) In 20 words or less, explain why you are interested in this topic.
Assignment #2 – Research Total Score: _____ / 30Background: In order to prove your author’s influences when reading your selected topic, you must first have an understanding of your author’s life, time period, and stylistic choices. Complete the following assignment in order to gain such insight.
Directions: Locate and cite one or more biographies/autobiographies and utilize your acquired resource to answer the following questions IN YOU OWN WORDS – NO PLAGIARISM – NO EXCEPTIONS
Question Source Pg #1. Where and when was your author born? (country, city, county, etc…)
2. Who were your author’s parents and what were they like? (jobs, personality, finances, etc…)
3. List and explain notable childhood experiences in your author’s life. (must find at least 1)
4. Describe your author’s educational experiences and background.
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5. Where did your author live when he/she wrote? Did they travel? Describe and explain.
6. Describe the economic, social and political climate experienced by your author during the time period he/she wrote.
7. What jobs did your author have during his/her lifetime?
8. Describe relationships experienced by your author. (marriage, affair, children, friends, etc…)
9. What religions, political issues or political leaders influenced your author?
10. What gender, racial or social issues influenced your author?
11. Who were your author’s writing contemporaries? How did they influence him/her?
12. What genre was predominately utilized by your author?
FIRST OUTSIDE SOURCE(Fill in all areas that pertain to your source. Skip areas that are not relevant to your source. This information will help you to easily construct a works cited page.)
SECOND OUTSIDE SOURCE(Fill in all areas that pertain to your source. Skip areas that are not relevant to your source. This information will help you to easily construct a works cited page.)
THIRD OUTSIDE SOURCE(Fill in all areas that pertain to your source. Skip areas that are not relevant to your source. This information will help you to easily construct a works cited page.)
Research Paper Independent Work: Reading Log ConstructionDirections: (1) You are responsible for independently reading your selected research topic novel (2) As you read, you must complete a Reading Log
(3) Your Reading Log MUST include all listed requirements (#s 1 – 5) for every chapter. (4) The final copy of your Reading Log must be in the following format:
Typed in size 12 Times New Roman font Double-spaced, 1 inch margins MLA heading/header
Reading Log Content RequirementsFOR EVERY CHAPTER IN THE NOVEL, COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
1. List and define new characters and settings (if there are none – record n/a)
2. Provide a one sentence summary of events.
3a. Record and cite the chapter’s most significant quote.
3b. Provide an explanation of the quote’s significance (Explain why you believe it is important)
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4. In 20 words or less, explain how the chapter connects to the novel’s theme(s) – what conflict is
developed, what lesson is learned
5. List a connection to your author’s life (if you cannot determine a connection list n/a)
NOTE: ALL FORMATING AND CONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE COMPLETION OF YOUR READING LOG MUST BE ASKED AND RESOLVED PRIOR TO THE READING LOG’S FINAL DUE DATE. ‘I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND’ OR ‘I DIDN’T KNOW’ WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS EXCUSES. FURTHERMORE, LATE READING LOGS WILL ONLY BE ELIGIABLE FOR HALF-CREDIT OR LESS!
Assignment #4 – Total Score: _____ / 30
ASSIGNMENT #4: EVIDENCE OF INFLUENCES IN THE TEXT(S)
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STEP 4: INFLUENCESBy now you have already conducted much of your research. You should have an
idea of what your author’s life was like and a firm understanding of at least one of his/her works. Now it is time to figure out exactly how the two are connected. You will look to the author’s life and find out exactly what influenced your author to write the text(s) you have read. Carefully read and follow the directions for Assignment #4 in order to find textual evidence to support your ideas of what influenced your author to write the text(s) that you read.
Directions: 1.) Read back over the research you have collected on your author
2.) Decide on three factors that influenced your author to write the text(s) that you read. In order for you to be correct, evidence of these influences must be contained in the text(s) that you read, as well as, supported with outside research.
3.) After choosing three documented influences (that is, you have recorded proof that these events actually occurred in your author’s life), complete the following worksheets in Assignment #4 to find textual evidence that demonstrates that these influences existed in the text. LIST AT LEAST FIVE POINTS PER INFLUENCE.
<Follow the attached example>
ASSIGNMENT #4: TEXTUAL EVIDENCE OF INFLUENCES(Complete the following using your author’s text(s))
FIRST INFLUENCE: George Orwell was influenced by the outcome of the Russian Revolution, a major event that occurred during his life.
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE (Use quotes when citing word for word.) PAGE NUMBER(S)
INFORMATION IS LOCATED
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- “5 Year Plan”, Snowball initiates this on the farm because he represents Trotsky who historically devised this idea.
- “Animalism”, all animals are equal. This concept is modeled after “Communism”, all men are equal
- Napoleon executes objectors and lies saying they are traitors, just like Joseph Stalin executed individuals on false claims of treason
- Napoleon abuses the ideas of animalism by changing the laws to benefit him and becomes a dictator. This is based on Stalin’s abuse of communism.
- Napoleon institutes “spontaneous demonstrations” these represent forced patriotic demonstrations in post-revolutionary Soviet Union.
32-34
5
40-45
80-90
100
ASSIGNMENT #4: TEXTUAL EVIDENCE OF INFLUENCES –
(Complete the following using your author’s text(s))
FIRST INFLUENCE: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE (Use quotes when citing word for word.) PAGE NUMBER(S)
INFORMATION IS LOCATED
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SECOND INFLUENCE: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE (Use quotes when citing word for word.) PAGE NUMBER(S)
INFORMATION IS LOCATED
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THIRD INFLUENCE: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE (Use quotes when citing word for word.) PAGE NUMBER(S)
INFORMATION IS LOCATED
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Assignment #5 – Total Score: _____ / 15
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STEP 5: CONSTRUCTING A THESIS STATEMENT
You are now ready to construct a thesis statement. The thesis statement is the specific claim that you will explain in-depth using the evidence you have collected from both your author’s text(s) and outside sources. Carefully read the example below. Use it as a model in order to construct your own thesis statement.
Be sure your thesis statement includes the following:REQUIRED 1.) Your author’s first and last nameREQUIRED 2.) The three factors that you will prove influenced your authorREQUIRED 3.) The title of the text(s) in which these influences are evident OPTIONAL 4.) You may also want to include specifically where or how these
influences are evident in the text(s) (EXAMPLE: in the characters, setting, themes, …)
(Using the above example as a model, record your thesis statement on the next page to complete Assignment #5)
ASSIGNMENT #5: CONSTRUCT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT(Record your thesis statement in the space provided below)
George Orwell was a democratic socialist whose time spent serving in the Spanish Civil War, views on totalitarian government and retirement on a farm ultimately influenced him to write the political satire, Animal Farm.
3rd influence
1st influenceAuthor’s name
2nd influence
Title of text
Assignment #7 – Total Score: _____ / 50
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STEP 6: CONSTRUCTING AN OUTLINE
Now that you have written a thesis statement, it is time to create an outline in order to prepare for writing your research paper. Your outline will be a map of how your paper will look. It will show the order in which you will organize facts you have collected in order to support your insights. Directions:
1.) Follow the example of an outline under Assignment #6 in order to complete your outline.2.) Your outline must be typed in size 12 Times New Roman font, have 1 inch margins, and follow MLA format.
STEP #7: CONSTRUCTION OF DRAFT #1Now that you have organized your research and ideas in an outline it is time to put those
thoughts into a rough draft. You will take the ideas organized in your outline and connect them in sentence form. The rough draft must be typed in MLA format.
Be sure: To use effective transitions between all paragraphs. Each paragraph of the body contains a topic sentence that clearly relates it back to
the thesis or a main point (one of the influences) To use internal citations for every paragraph To proof read for punctuation and spelling errors
(After you have constructed a rough draft, complete Assignment #8 with a partner)
STEP #9: CONSTRUCTION OF DRAFT #2Now that you have organized your research and ideas in an outline it is time to put those
thoughts into a rough draft. You will take the ideas organized in your outline and connect them in sentence form. The rough draft must be typed!
Be sure: To use effective transitions between all paragraphs. Each paragraph of the body contains a topic sentence that clearly relates it back to
the thesis or a main point (one of the influences) To use internal citations for every paragraph To proof read for punctuation and spelling errors
(After you have constructed a rough draft, complete Assignment #10 with a partner)
Total Score: _____ / 15
Assignment #11 – Total Score: _____ / 200
Transitions
Type of Transition ExamplesAdditional Information and, furthermore, moreover, in addition,
Expected Information of course, naturally, as one (may) know, obviously
Unexpected Information amazingly, surprisingly
Intensified Information in fact, as a matter of fact
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STEP #11: CONSTRUCT A FINAL DRAFTYou have made it to the final step, constructing a final draft! Use the information from
your Peer Edit to revise your rough draft. You will need to pay close attention to detail when constructing a final draft. You will also need to fill out the attached checklist once you have finished your final draft.
Your final draft will consist of:1. The revised, typed and final copy of your paper: 4 pages, 12 point Times New
Roman font, double spaced, one inch margins.2. A final version of your works cited page
BEWAREDO NOT USE THE TRANSITIONS (SO, AND, ALSO, BUT) TO START ANY SENTENCE
DO NOT USE “IN CONCLUSION”
DO NOT USE THE SAME TRANSITION REPEATEDLY
Directions: Evaluate your paper for appropriate transitions. Insert transitions where needed or replace ineffective transitions.
Use the examples below to help you in this process.
Restatements in other words, that is, in short
Examples for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, including, include
Consequences therefore, as a result, consequently, (in) consequence, as consequence, it follows that
Causes because (of), due to, as a result (of), on account of, thanks to
Reversed Information however, but, although, (even) though, nevertheless, nonetheless
Order first, second (etc…), then, next, last, finally
Conclusion therefore, ultimately, overall
Common Comma Rules Commas are used in sentences on paper the same way that pauses are used in speech—to clarify and convey meaning. Commas often fall in a sentence where there is a natural pause. Reading a sentence aloud can be an effective way to determine these pauses. There are many more specific rules to follow as well. Here is a list of common rules: 1. Put commas after introductory elements coming before the main sentence.
a. Put commas after introductory adverb clauses. These clauses begin with words like while, when, but, although, and like, among others. -When I ride my bike, I never fall down. -Although the vote was a close one, Kennedy beat Nixon.
b. Put commas after introductory –ing phrases. -Foaming and splashing, the water crashed against the rocks. -Running too fast, I slipped on the ice.
c. Put commas after introductory prepositional phrases. -Without further ado, here is the Heisman Award winner. -In today’s society, money is the ultimate goal for many.
d. Put commas after introductory infinitive phrases. An infinitive is the word "to" plus a verb. -To vote in America, a person must be eighteen years old. -To be successful, you must have determination.
e. Put commas after other introductory phrases or words that could be misread or
misunderstood. -However, people do have successes without education. -Beyond, the stars flashed in the dark space. -Yes, he has made his choice.
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f. Put commas after introductory conjunctive adverbs such as therefore, consequently, or
moreover. -Moreover, Sam’s dog is most sleepy in the afternoon.-Therefore, a hot tub in the writing center is necessary.
2. Put commas before these seven conjunctions when they connect two full sentences: AND,
BUT, OR, NOR, FOR, SO, YET. -I tried to run, but I kept falling down. -The president is the leader, so he makes the final decisions.*The only exception to this rule is when the two sentences are very short. -I can run and I can walk.
3. Put commas around words or phrases that interrupt sentences. -The man, however, was not fooled by the trick. -The water, dashing against the rocks, foamed and splashed.
4. Put commas between words in a series of three or more.-Some basic parts of speech are nouns, verbs, adverbs and prepositions.
5. Put commas between adjectives if they could be reversed or separated by "AND.” Adjectives
with these characteristics are considered “independent” and therefore need to be separated be commas.
-The dashing, foaming, splashing waves hit the beach. 6. Commas are used in certain conventional places.
a. With numbers: St. Cloud has a population of 60,000.b. With dates: Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990.c. With addresses: John lives at 434 Court Ave., Delbert, ND, 55555.d. With titles and degrees: My teacher is Jim James, Ph.D.e. With direct quotations:
Mary said, “How are you?” “Strangely enough,” he said, “I am fine.”
*No comma is used if the quote is very short: Billy said “No.”
Here are some exercises using the above rules. It is more important that you understand the why of comma usage than the word-for-word rule itself.Check yourself with the six rules above. Put in the needed commas:1. The case against Senator Barton was fabricated so the judge dismissed it.2. Like most people Bill opposes war except in very special cases.3. The colors red blue black white and silver are popular for cars today.4. “When she comes” the old man said “she’ll be coming ‘round the mountain.'"5. The dog foaming at the mouth tried to bite the dogcatcher. (This could be written with or
without commas depending on the meaning intended.)6. However it is interesting to see the crowd’s reaction to its leader’s words.7. Jenny’s birthday is April 5 1975 and she was born in Memphis Tennessee.
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8. That date therefore is very important to Jenny.
Verbs in Signal Phrases
Are you providing background, explaining a concept, supporting a claim, lending authority, or refuting a belief? Choose a verb that is appropriate for the way you are using the source. See the list below for some more appropriate words to consider.
Name:___________________________________________ Score: ___________/200MLA Format (15 points)
Proper MLA heading, correct pagination (header), and title
Yes No Points Deducted
12-point Times New Roman fontDouble spaced; 1” margins
Introduction (20 points)
A relevant and interesting AGD (Attention-getting Device) is present.Effective transitions explain the AGD and connect it to a specific thesis.
A three (3)-prong thesis is used to introduce the topic and to preview the order of at least three (3) clearly defined main points.
Body (100 points)
Well-written topic sentences are used to introduce each new paragraph and relate it to the thesis. The body follows an organized pattern as previewed in the thesis.Each paragraph contains only one main idea (maintains focus).Main ideas are explained in connection to the thesis using evidence.
Thoughts and ideas display organization and fluidityAt least three (3) direct quotes are used correctly and are properly anchored (Main point + supporting quote + internal citation).Paraphrased information is properly credited. Internal citations are used correctly.
Mechanics (30 points)
No run-on sentences or fragmentsNo grammatical errors (verb tense consistent, subject/verb agreement, pronoun/antecedent agreement, maintains formal objective voice)No grammatical homonyms (Ex: there, their, they’re)No spelling, capitalization errors, or punctuation errorsEffective and varied vocabulary is used (No forbidden words!)No 1st or 2nd person pronouns (Ex: I, me, my, mine, you, your, we, us)No contractions or abbreviationsAll numbers less than 100 are written out
Conclusion (15 points)
Rephrases thesis statementAdequately summarizes paper’s argument and comes to a conclusionHas clincher
Works Cited Page (20 points)
At least four sources are used (three different types).All sources are reputable. All sources listed are cited within the paper.All sources are accurately cited according to MLA format.
Additional deductions:Paper is fewer than four (4) pages in lengthPlagiarism exists (or paper was not submitted to www.turnitin.com)
General:First or second person pronounsContractionsSlang
Specific:GotStuffBunchNiceGood Bad HardFunVery A lotThing
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Paper was submitted late (letter grade deduction per day)
