Kate Chopin is often praised for the psychological insights that her writing contains.

In
“The Story of an Hour,” Mrs. Mallard’s initial shock at her husband’s reported death in a
train accident turns rather quickly into a sense of glorious freedom and relief. Do you
think such a change is a natural one? Might it depend on how much Mrs. Mallard loved
her husband? What is it that accounts for her whispering, “Free! Body and soul free!”?

Write a TSP in which you examine Mrs. Mallard’s feelings after her husband’s reported
death and comment on their validity.

Grading Questions:

1. Does the thesis statement comment on Mrs. Mallard’s feelings in “The Story of an
Hour”?
2. What does the writer say about Mrs. Mallard’s feelings? Does the writer find that
change in the character’s feelings convincing?
3. Does the writer give strong reasons to support his or her opinion?
4. Do the sentences flow easily from one to another?
5. Is the essay free from grammar errors?

Kate Chopin is often praised for the psychological insights that her writing contains. In
“The Story of an Hour,” Mrs. Mallard’s initial shock at her husband’s reported death in a
train accident turns rather quickly into a sense of glorious freedom and relief. Do you
think such a change is a natural one? Might it depend on how much Mrs. Mallard loved
her husband? What is it that accounts for her whispering, “Free! Body and soul free!”?

Write a TSP in which you examine Mrs. Mallard’s feelings after her husband’s reported
death and comment on their validity.

Grading Questions:

6. Does the thesis statement comment on Mrs. Mallard’s feelings in “The Story of an
Hour”?
7. What does the writer say about Mrs. Mallard’s feelings? Does the writer find that
change in the character’s feelings convincing?
8. Does the writer give strong reasons to support his or her opinion?
9. Do the sentences flow easily from one to another?
10. Is the essay free from grammar errors?