Short Story Essay 2020

NAME: _______________________________________

Instructions:
l. Write a 3 paragraph literary essay of approximately 1 ½ pages using 1.5 spacing.
Use standard formatting (12 pt. font/1’ margins). Be sure to have a clear thesis and
one controlling idea. Assume your audience to be an academic one. Refer to the
short stories read in class to support your ideas. Remember to follow the writing
process (brainstorm, outline, rough draft).

2. Express your thoughts clearly and write in Standard English. Since this is an
evaluation of writing competence, pay special attention to organization, grammar,
punctuation, spelling and sentence structure

3. Underline your thesis in the introduction to your essay.

4. Submit your essay to D2L.

1. In Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt,” the idea that actions have consequences is examined.
Explain one way the author teaches this lesson in the story. Explore how characters
are impacted and comment on the outcomes of their choices.

OR

2. In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, the author explores the idea of tradition. Explain
one thing Jackson suggests about this thematic topic. Consider how characters and
society are impacted and comment on the outcomes of character choices.

Evaluation
Mark: /20

Content & Substance ____/10

Mechanical Accuracy ____/4
Organization/Style ____/6
 Short Story Essay 2020
Name: ____________________

Evaluation
Mark: /20

Content & Substance ____/10

Strong thesis, point clearly stated, effective use of methods to develop ideas, sufficient detail, adequate explanation, insight and
thought evident, appropriate word choice. Writing process observed

Mechanical Accuracy ____/4

Correct sentence structure, word usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation

Organization/Style ____/6
Well-structured introduction and conclusion, correct paragraphing, transition between paragraphs and ideas. Effective inclusion
of quotations, appropriate referencing, clarity, conciseness and cohesion.

Comments:

Content & Substance (Knowledge & Thinking/Inquiry)

 Thesis statement must clearly take a stance on the topic provided

 Controlling idea must effectively prove thesis
 Quotes and examples must represent the entire text (beginning, middle & end)
 Analyse text to support ideas – NO PLOT SUMMARY!
 Link key ideas to thesis – clearly show the reader the relevance of examples
 Provide more explanation and insight – effectively support the opinion
 Follow PPC format – Topic Sentence, Point Statement, Proofs, Connection to thesis
 Use words correctly/choose words effectively
 Use writing process more effectively

Mechanical Accuracy (Application)

Review rules of:

 punctuation
 spelling
 grammar
 Correct verb tenses
 Eliminate sentence errors
 Improve editing and proofreading

Organization (Application & Communication)

 Provide a clear introduction with thesis and one controlling ideas - underlined
 Use controlling idea to structure essay
 Conclude more effectively – restate thesis, controlling idea, end on a general note
 Structure each body paragraph properly with topic sentences, points, proofs and connections
 Include quotations smoothly – give context and speaker before quote
 Use MLA referencing for 1st page and quotes
Style
 Improve clarity/conciseness
 Use transition words/phrases to create flow and unity of ideas
 Do not use “I” to express an opinion
 Use formal academic language – no slang, contractions, personal pronouns, etc.)
 Adheres to all assignment guidelines
 Short Story Essay 2020

General Introduction – be sure to include first and last name of author and title of short story

THESIS

Controlling idea #1

Point Statement: Point Statement:

Proof: Quotation from text Proof: Quotation from text

C Conclusion (rephrase thesis, topic:

Connect: This shows (link back to thesis) Connect: This shows (link back to thesis)

Conclusion (rephrase thesis, controlling idea and general idea about the topic: