The ENG 201 Experiencing Literature Common Assessment Paper
The English Core Program, Fall 2019
Department of Languages and Literatures
Please write an essay in the MLA format in response to one of the two prompts below that the instructor has chosen for your class:
Explore the relationship between character and setting in The Women of Brewster Place by examining the introduction, “Dawn,†and at least two of the stories. Explain how setting impacts character development, analyzing what each story expresses concerning the struggle of women living in the inner-city community, Brewster Place. Keep in mind that setting in fiction defines both a place (location, dwelling, neighborhood, nation, environment, etc.) and time (a story’s historical context); and, like character, the setting can function as protagonist and/or antagonist.
In their essays, students are expected to:
- Identify a clear thesis.
- Use appropriate content to illustrate this thesis.
- Explain the textual evidence presented through close reading skills and use of literary terms.
- Display an understanding of author and a diversity of perspectives.
- Organize and synthesize material to present a cogent explanation.
- Produce a clear, well-organized essay in which sources are properly cited and conforms to conventions of standard written English.
OR
Explore the relationship between character and setting in The Women of Brewster Place in the context of the theme or your ENG 201 class by examining the introduction, “Dawn,†and at least two of the stories. Explain how setting impacts character development, analyzing what each story expresses concerning the struggle of women living in the inner-city community, Brewster Place. Keep in mind that setting in fiction defines both a place (location, dwelling, neighborhood, nation, environment, etc.) and time (a story’s historical context); and, like character, the setting can function as protagonist and/or antagonist.
In their essays, students are expected to:
- Identify a clear thesis.
- Use appropriate content to illustrate this thesis.
- Explain the textual evidence presented through close reading skills and use of literary terms.
- Display an understanding of author and a diversity of perspectives.
- Organize and synthesize material to present a cogent explanation.
- Produce a clear, well-organized essay in which sources are properly cited and conforms to conventions of standard written English.
|
|
Unacceptable (1) |
Developing (2) |
Proficient (3) |
Exemplary (4) |
|
Statement of Thesis |
Lacks a central thesis or thesis is irrelevant, unclear, or self-evident. The goal from the essay is missing or vague. |
States a thesis, but it is weak, general, or vague. The goal of the essay is ambiguous. |
States a central thesis but it could be more substantive, clear, or specific. |
States a central thesis that is substantive, insightful, clear, and specific. The goal of this essay is very clear. |
|
Use of Text to Support Thesis and Development of Content. |
Information is taken from the texts without explanation or there is no textual evidence. No use of quotes and/or summary. Evidence/explanation not organized or related to thesis. |
Information is taken from texts with minimal or inadequate explanation. Minimal effort at quoting and/or summary. Evidence/explanation not well organized. |
Information is taken from the texts with moderate but occasionally inconsistent support of the thesis. An effort to use quotes properly and to summarize. Evidence/explanation adequately organized. |
Information is taken from the texts with thorough, consistent, thoughtful explanation to support the thesis. Proficient use of quotes and summary. Evidence/explanation effectively organized and synthesized insightfully to the thesis. |
|
Understanding of Authors, Texts, and Diversity of Perspectives |
Paper makes no attempt to understand an author and/or perspective. The content reflects inadequate engagement with the text. |
Paper struggles to understand the author and/or perspective. The content attempts to engage with the text but relies on generalizations. |
Paper makes an effort to understand author and/or perspective. The content engages the text with adequate critical thinking and minimal use of generalizations. |
The paper thoughtfully and intelligently engages the author and/or perspective. The content is insightful and cogent. |
|
Close Reading Techniques and Understanding of Genre |
Explanation of texts is not organized, and there is little effort to closely read the texts. There is no usage of literary terms or understanding of genre. |
Explanation of texts is not well organized and makes inadequate connections to the thesis. There is minimal effort at close reading, usage of literary terms and/or literary terms improper for genre. |
Explanation of texts has adequate organization and connections to the thesis. There is effort at close reading and usage of literary terms proper to genre, but explanation is not fully synthesized or interpreted to support the thesis. |
Explanation of texts is effectively organized and the interpretations are well synthesized to make meaningful and insightful connections to the thesis. Effective use of literary terms and appropriate for genre. |
|
Editing and Manuscript Form |
Paper is seriously marred by mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Essay does not follow or improperly uses the assigned style and format. |
Errors in spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar create distractions in the paper. Paper is not carefully edited. |
Writer uses effective language, rhetoric, and other communication skills. Contains errors that do not detract from the overall argument/interpretation. |
Paper contains an occasional minor error of spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar. No style or formatting errors, all sources properly cited. |
In their essays, students are expected to:
- Identify a clear thesis.
- Use appropriate content to illustrate this thesis.
- Explain the textual evidence presented through close reading skills and use of literary terms.
- Display an understanding of authors, texts, and a diversity of perspectives.
- Organize and synthesize material to present cogent explanation.
- Produce a clear, well-organized essay that conforms to conventions of standard written English and properly cites sources.
Jermaine Byrant
Nicole Johnson
OVER
RATING
YEARS
