analyzing characters
rhoemo
ENG130 – Literature and Composition
Unit 2 Assignment
Essay for ENG 130: Analyzing Setting and Character
Due: 11:59 PM EST Sunday of Unit 2. Length and format: 2-3 pages. The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the 2-3 page length of the essay. It should also be double spaced, written in Times New Roman, and in 12 point font. Essay should conform to APA formatting and citation style. Instructions: Both “A Jury of Her Peers” and “The Mayor Meets an American Princess” deal with assumptions associated with traditional gender roles. Both stories look at people’s perceptions of those roles. Choose a character in each story and compare/contrast those characters within their respective settings. Create a thesis that includes your argument about the similarities and differences of your chosen characters. The requirements for the essay are:
• Describe one character from each story o How does the setting impact the characters’ actions in both stories? o How is each character defined by his or her gender role? o Use textual evidence to back up your description.
• Analyze whether or not your chosen characters break out of their traditional gender roles. o In what ways have traditional gender roles changed since the time depicted in “A Jury
of Her Peers” and in what ways have those roles remained the same? o How does “The Mayor Meets an American Princess” make a modern comment on
those gender roles? • Include an APA title page • Use the objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” etc. • Use APA format for in-text citations and References when using outside sources and textual
evidence.
Students: Be sure to read the criteria, by which your paper/project will be evaluated, before you write, and again after you write.
Analyzing Setting and Character Rubric
0-4 5-10 11-15 16-20 Meets Assignment Requirements
Few assignment requirements are met.
Some assignment requirements are met.
Most assignment requirements are met.
Many to all assignment requirements are fully met.
Thesis Statement (Controlling Idea)
Thesis is confusing, vague or unclear. Thesis is loosely related to the paper or not present.
Thesis is attempted with little relation to the overall topic. Some supporting details missing.
Thesis is present and relates to the majority of the paper.
Thesis is organized and focused on the paper. It includes all main points and uses active voice to state the position.
Introduction Background details are a random collection of information, unclear, or not related to the topic. There may be no clear introduction and background details.
Introduction attempted explains the background, but may lack detail.
Introduction explains the background, including an overview of the essay’s main points.
Introduction uses interesting anecdotes, questions, or other information to build interest. Many to all main points are logically related and developed.
Conclusion Conclusion is unclear or only loosely related to content. May not summarize main points.
Conclusion is recognizable and re-states the thesis and main points.
Conclusion is clear and flows from the body of the paper and the thesis statement. Effectively re- states thesis and main points and may move toward potential, related concepts.
Conclusion is effective, clear, and organized. Draws information presented in the body and presents a new perspective, or potential solutions to the problems being discussed.
Organization, Structure, and Transitions
Many details are not in a logical or expected order. The writing is
Writing may have some discernable organization, but may lack
Writing is organized. Details are placed in a logical order, and some transitions
Writing is effective, purposeful, and well-organized. Main points are covered in detail.
weak or inconsistent. Transitions between sentences or paragraphs may be missing or unclear.
transitions between sentences or paragraphs. Some details are not in a logical or expected order.
are present at both sentence and paragraph levels.
Many to all transitions are designed to move the paper forward from thesis to conclusion.
Content, Setting/ Character, and Purpose
The settings/ characters in the short stories are not analyzed. Discussion of the characters and/or settings is missing.
The settings/ characters are analyzed but some parts of the analysis are missing information or are unclear.
The analysis of the settings/characters is clear and organized. Some examples from the text are used.
The analysis of the settings/characters is clear, organized, and features effective examples from the text.
Textual Support and Integration of Information
Very little textual support is given and integrated properly. Textual support may not relate to the thesis statement.
Some textual support is given and integrated properly. Topics are somewhat related to the thesis statement, but may lack evidence to support them.
At least three main points are present, although may not always relate to the thesis. Some integration of information is present.
Main points are well-developed, detailed, and directly related to the thesis. Thoroughly integrated information with a logical and consistent flow between ideas.
APA Format
Few APA conventions are followed, and may be incorrectly formatted.
Some APA conventions are followed, although not always correctly.
APA conventions followed with some errors evident throughout.
Free of many to all errors in APA conventions.
Grammar and Mechanics
Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics errors occur throughout document. Word choices are seldom academic.
Several errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling and mechanics present. Word choice reveals some understanding of academic
Some spelling, grammar, punctuation and mechanical errors are evident. Academic language is upheld. The sentence structure is often logical and
Free of punctuation, spelling, grammar, and other mechanical errors. Consistent use of academic word choices. Sentence structure is mostly logical
Sentence structure may be illogical or unclear.
language requirements. Many sentence structure issues exist.
clear so that relationships among ideas are established.
and clear.
Tone, Point of View, and Audience
Writing does not address the appropriate audience, may contain clichés, tense issues, or inconsistencies in tone and/or point of view.
Writing may be inconsistent in tone, tense, and point of view. Paper makes some attempts to address appropriate audience.
Writing shows some understanding of tone, tense, point of view. Audience is usually appropriately addressed.
The writing demonstrates a command of tone, tense, and point of view. Appropriate audience is addressed.
*A zero can be earned if the above criteria are not met. *Plagiarism will result in a zero.