gatsby essay prompts 2013

7/29/2019 Gatsby Essay Prompts 2013

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Name: Class: WRITING

The Great GatsbyFinal Essay Prompts

Choose one of the topics below, and write a 4-5 paragraph essay in response. Your essay willanalyze an aspect of the novelwith ample quotations from the novel and supporting texts assupportand establish a so what? statement that communicates a call to action to prevent suchtragedies from happening during and after 2013.

Your body paragraphs should refer to specific events, quotes, and ideas in the novelthey shouldnot merely summarize the novels plot. Use 2-3 quotes and/or significant textual evidence tosupport your thesis.

Option 1:What is Fitzgeralds comment on American and the American Dream in The GreatGatsby? How does he communicate his comment?You might consider one or multiple charactersin the novel, our discussions of themes and overall messages, and our article/discussion ofTheGreat 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 theAmerican Dream. Consider: How do you define the American Dreamer? What does thisAmerican Dreamer need to be successful? Is any character in The Great Gatsbya successfulAmerican 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 mechanicsThe 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: __________________


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Name: The Great GatsbyFinal Essay Rubric Prompt # ________

Area 8: Strong 6: Proficient 4: Deficient 2: Weak

Quality & Clarityof Thought

Understands the topicand addresses the

prompt with a clear,insightful thesis

statement that is proventhroughout the body ofthe essay. So what is

significant andcompelling to our study

ofTGG.

Addresses the topic witha thesis statement, but is

less clear in itsassessment of the

prompt; may treat thetopic simplistically or

repetitively, but showsdepth of thought inplaces. So what isclear, but may repeatsome of the conceptsalready covered in our

study ofTGG.

Suggests confusionabout the topic,

neglects importantaspects of the prompt,

and/or does notinclude a thesis

statement;demonstrates

confused or simplisticthinking. So what is

unclear, or tooinsignificant to our

study ofTGG.

Suggests and inabilityto comprehend the

prompt or to respondmeaningfully to the

topic. No So whatassociated with thesisor commentary to

show the significanceof this topic to our

study ofTGG.

Support,Development,

andOrganization

5 paragraphs. Includescompelling evidence and

analysis that advancesthe thesis and builds acoherent, organizedargument; ideas are

supported by well-chosen textualexamples, and

transitions betweenparagraphs allow for asmooth progression ofthe paper; introduction

grabs the readersattention and conclusion

ties up loose ends,provoking further

thought

4-5 paragraphs. Isadequately organized

and developed, generallysupporting ideas withtextual examples; uses

some transitionsbetween paragraphs;

includes an introductionand conclusion, but theymay not draw reader in

or tie up loose ends.

4 paragraphs. Lacksfocus and

organization; providessimplistic summary

without support; ideas

do not follow oneanother; points lackreference to the

overall purpose oftheir paragraph; usesfew or no transitions

between ideas;introduction and/or

conclusion aresimplistic and couldbe more engaging or

clearer

Not yet 4 completeparagraphs. Is

unfocused, illogical, or

incoherent; isdisorganized andundeveloped,

providing little or norelevant textualsupport; uses no

transitions betweenideas; lacks an

introduction and/orconclusion

Syntax,Grammar, and

Mechanics

Uses an effective, fluentstyle marked by a variety

of sentence structuresand a clear command of

language; May havesome flaws, but isgenerally free fromerrors in grammar,

usage, and mechanics.Quotations integratedand cited with correct

punctuation.

Demonstrates adequateuse of syntax and

language although insome cases sentences

might be wordy ordisplay little sentence

variety; May have somegrammar errors, but

generally demonstratescontrol of grammar,

usage, and mechanics.Quotations integratedand cited with mostlycorrect punctuation.

Includes poorvocabulary, poorsentence structure,

wordy expressions; Ismarred by numerouserrors in grammar,

usage, and mechanicsthat frequentlyinterfere with

meaning. Some errorsin quotation

integration and/orcitation.

Lacks basic control ofsentence variety and

vocabulary; Hasserious and persistent

errors in grammar,usage, and mechanicsthat severely interferewith meaning. No

citations forquotations, or shows

inattention tointegration and

citation punctuation.

Includes First Draft with Peer Edit Markings: _____ / 1 pointAttention 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


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gatsby essay prompts 2013

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