English I Summer Reading:
Level 3
Students entering a Level 3 English class are required to
read Fahrenheit 451. Please read the description for the
essay assignment carefully, as there are specific
requirements.
Assignment for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray
Bradbury
For Fahrenheit 451, you will write a 5-paragraph essay in
response to ONE of four possible topics. This assignment is
to be completed during the summer and a hard copy can
either be delivered to the main office of the high school
by July 25, 2011, or mailed to the high school. It must be
postmarked by July 25, 2011. It must be submitted on time;
late assignments will only be accepted in the case of
extreme, unforeseen circumstances with advance notice given
to the teacher. This novel is a prelude to the curriculum
at the beginning of the year; there will be an in- class
assessment in September, so read carefully. Suggestions on
how to actively read and notate the novel are provided.
IMPORTANT: Submit your assignment in an envelope labeled
with your name and “9th Grade Summer Reading” to:
Warren Hills Regional High School
ATTN: English Department
41 Jackson Valley Road
Washington, NJ 07882

At the beginning of the essay, you MUST give the
bibliographic entry for the edition of Fahrenheit 451
you have read.
An example of the correct form for a bibliography appears
here:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner
Books 1960.

Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, 12 point
Times New Roman font (no extra spaces between
paragraphs). You must create an original title for
your essay. Do not punctuate your title (i.e., do not
underline it or set it in quotation marks, as it is
not a published work.)

See How to Develop a Literary Analysis Paper
for guidance in planning and writing your essay.
Assignment for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Level 3
Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 Essay Topics:
Choose ONE
Your work MUST BE original. DO NOT COPY FROM ANY SOURCE
and try to pass it off as your own! The consequence for
plagiarism is a zero on the entire assignment.
A. Guy Montag undergoes a character transformation as the
novel progresses. Compare the protagonist the reader meets
at the beginning of Fahrenheit 451 to the character Montag
becomes at the close of the novel. Use specific instances
from the text to support your theories. Be certain to
include several quotes or partial quotes to further support
your assertions.
B. Examine Ray Bradbury’s possible motivations in writing
Fahrenheit 451. In your discussion, be certain to use
direct references to the text itself. Cite passages which
support your viewpoint, using appropriate quotes to
illustrate your points.
C. In the course of the novel, Montag offers Mildred a
definition of friendship. Explain in detail the characters
Guy Montag might justifiably consider friends. Support your
analysis with details to illustrate your points; use
appropriate quotes to further enhance your argument. In
your discussion, include an explanation for what Ray
Bradbury might be positing regarding the nature of
friendship in his classic science fiction novel.
D. Ray Bradbury’s classic science fiction work contains
numerous examples of irony. Locate and quote at least three
examples that clearly illustrate Bradbury’s use of this
literary technique in Fahrenheit 451. In your discussion,
examine the effectiveness of the author’s use of irony to
contribute to the overall theme of the novel.
Assignment for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Level 3
How to Develop a Literary Analysis
Paper
Use this information as a guide to writing
your Fahrenheit 451 paper.
Structure of the Expository Essay:
Introduction
Consists of three parts which are outlined below
1. Lead
Consists of two to three general statements related to
the topic. The purpose is to capture interest and
gently LEAD the reader into your opinion statement.
Do not use a question, anecdote, fragment or phrase.
2. Plan of Development
These sentences function to outline the progression of
your body paragraphs. This is where you briefly
mention the 3 proofs that will support your thesis
statement. (The 3 proofs will appear later in your
body paragraphs.)
Do not include quotations or explain too much. Lengthy
explanations are for the body paragraphs.
3. Thesis Statement
Your opinion boiled down to one arguable statement that
you will prove in the body of your essay: your
position.
It should never be a question. The thesis is an answer
to a question. It is the driving force of your essay.
The thesis statement should be the last sentence in
your introduction. Underline it!
Assignment for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Level 3
How to Develop a Literary Analysis Paper
(continued)
Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should provide a topic sentence for
focus. The next part of the paragraph should provide
context for a direct quotation or a paraphrase of the
evidence. Then, state the quotation or the evidence
from the text. After stating the quotation/evidence,
explain how it supports your thesis statement. DO NOT
merely tell your reader what the quotation/evidence
means; this can lead to summary. You must analyze.
Follow TIQAS:
Topic
sentence: introduce the main idea of the
paragraph.
Introduce
quotation or evidence: put the quotation or
evidence into context.
Quotation:
state the quotation or paraphrase the
evidence from the text.
Analyze:
explain to the reader the importance of the
evidence and how it supports your topic sentence.
Summary
Statement: wrap up your paragraph by restating
your point.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should not merely be a summary. It must
show the importance of the analysis that you have been
making in the paper.
1. Restate your Thesis
2. Mention 3 proofs
3. Make General Closing Statements (These statements
should relate to the ideas presented in your LEAD.)
Assignment for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: Level 3
EXPOSITORY ESSAY SCORING RUBRIC
_______
Introduction
Lead introduces reader to the topic; follows prescribed guidelines
Plan of Development outlines progression of essay.
Thesis Statement: Last sentence of paragraph is well developed and clearly
stated.
30 points
________
Body Paragraphs
T.I.Q.A.S.
25 points
________
On Topic/Well-Developed Ideas
20 points
________
Conclusion
Thesis restated
Three proofs mentioned
General closing statements
No new information is introduced
15 points
________
Style & Conventions
Strong voice, sophisticated tone
Grammar and spelling correct
10 points
PLEASE NOTE:
Do not use the following in your essay:
 1 or 2 person pronouns (“I,” “you,” “I think,” “I feel”)
 Contractions (“can’t,” “won’t,” “don’t”)
 “This essay will prove” or “In conclusion”
st
nd