Name:_______________________
Advanced English Pd. 6, Nayiri and Nicole
Date:___________________________
B2 Assessment
Benchmark 2 Assessment: Explanatory or Argumentative Essay
Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett (play) and “Bittersweet Symphony” by
The Verve (song)
Write a 4-5 paragraph essay based on one of the topics below. You may write an
explanatory/informative essay, OR an argumentative essay based on the book Waiting For Godot (pgs 123) and/or the song, “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve. Tips/Notes:

Choose a writing prompt that interests you the most and that you think you can write most
about.

Since we have already worked with a graphic organizer on explanatory essays last benchmark,
we think you guys are ready to try this essay on blank paper! You may create an outline before
you begin writing, which consists of information you will write in your introduction, body
paragraphs, and conclusion. A space has been provided for you to brainstorm ideas, collect
evidence and create an outline if you choose to do so.

*Note: If you feel that you need a graphic organizer, WRITING PROMPT 8 includes one that you
can use.

* Your first draft is worth 35% of your grade (DUE THURSDAY). If you complete it, you get an
automatic 100, which will raise your final grade by…a lot! Your final draft is worth 65% of your
grade (FRIDAY AND MONDAY). It must be typed and sent to Nayiri
(npanossian@bronxhaven.org) and Nicole (nrivera@bronxhaven.org)

If you want to begin writing your first draft on a computer, you may do so.
Key structures of an essay to remember:
Introduction: introduce the texts and authors; give a summary of the texts; create a claim that answers
the essay question.
Body Paragraphs (at least 2 body paragraphs): For each body paragraph, use at least 2-3 pieces of
evidence to support your claim. After each piece of evidence, make an inference. Look at our sentence
starters! ***If you are writing an argumentative essay, your body paragraph should also include a
counterclaim (what the other side thinks) and rebuttal (why the other side is wrong).
Conclusion: wrap up your main ideas of your essay; give your opinion on the essay topic
Name:_______________________
Advanced English Pd. 6, Nayiri and Nicole
Date:___________________________
B2 Assessment
Essay topics based on…….Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett
Explanatory Essay:
Writing Prompt 1: How is one or more of the following themes portrayed in Waiting For
Godot? Freedom and confinement; choices and consequences; suffering; inaction
Make sure your essay has an introduction which introduces the text and gives a claim that
answers the essay question. Each body paragraph should be on a separate theme (unless you
decide to write only about one). Make sure you use at least two pieces of evidence (quote or
paraphrase) that supports each theme, and then make an inference after each example you
give.
Writing Prompt 2: How do the characters experience freedom or confinement in Waiting For
Godot? What are the causes and effects of their freedom and confinement? What solutions
would you propose?
Writing Prompt 3: What is the relationship between choices and consequences in Waiting For
Godot?
Argumentative Essay:
Writing Prompt 3: Is inaction safer than action? Argue your answer using evidence from the
text. Make sure to include a claim, counterclaim (the other perspective) and rebuttal (why the
other perspective is wrong).
Writing Prompt 4: Do people cause their own suffering? Argue your answer using evidence
from the text. Make sure to include a claim, counterclaim (the other perspective) and rebuttal
(why the other perspective is wrong).
Writing Prompt 5: Why do people suffer? Argue your answer using evidence from the text.
Make sure to include a claim, counterclaim (the other perspective) and rebuttal (why the other
perspective is wrong).
Name:_______________________
Advanced English Pd. 6, Nayiri and Nicole
Date:___________________________
B2 Assessment
Essay Topics Based On…..
Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett and “Bittersweet Symphony” by
The Verve
Argumentative Essay:
Writing Prompt 6: Is life a “Bittersweet Symphony”? Argue your answer using evidence from
both the play and the song. Make sure to include a claim, counterclaim (the other perspective)
and rebuttal (why the other perspective is wrong).
Explanatory Essay:
Writing Prompt 7: How is one or more of the following themes portrayed in Waiting For
Godot OR “Bittersweet Symphony”? Freedom and confinement; Choices and consequences;
Suffering; Inaction
Writing Prompt 8: How is life “bittersweet” in Waiting For Godot and the song “Bittersweet
Symphony” by the Verve? Graphic organizer for this essay is on the next page.
Name:_______________________
Advanced English Pd. 6, Nayiri and Nicole
Date:___________________________
B2 Assessment
Writing Prompt 8: How is life “bittersweet” in Waiting For Godot and the song “Bittersweet
Symphony” by the Verve?
Introduction:
Give a general statement about life being bittersweet. What does it mean?
Introduce both texts—Waiting for Godot and Bittersweet Symphony—and what they are about
Claim: Answer the essay question. (i.e. Life is bittersweet in both the song and the play
because……..)
Body Paragraph 1: Bittersweet in Waiting For Godot
Topic Sentence: How does WFG show life to be bittersweet?
Example:
Inference:
Example:
Inference:
Conclusion: What is your opinion on the bittersweet nature of this play or characters? Do the
same ideas hold true in the real world?
Name:_______________________
Advanced English Pd. 6, Nayiri and Nicole
Date:___________________________
B2 Assessment
Body Paragraph 2: Bittersweet in “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve
Topic Sentence: How does “Bittersweet Symphony” show life to be bittersweet?
Example:
Inference:
Example:
Inference:
Conclusion: What is your opinion on life being bittersweet in this song? Do the same ideas hold
true in the real world?
Conclusion:
Rephrase your claim
What do the texts have in common? How are they different?
Is life a bittersweet symphony? Why/why not?
Name:_______________________
Advanced English Pd. 6, Nayiri and Nicole
Date:___________________________
B2 Assessment
Brainstorming Chart
Which essay prompt did you
choose?______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Brainstorm/Outline for Essay: Quotes, Examples, Connections, Inferences