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English 232 | Pellauer
Name: _____________________
The Great Gatsby Short Essay
Directions: Please write a 2-page essay that takes a stand on the following issue:
At the beginning of the novel, Nick Carraway writes, “I’m inclined to reserve all
judgments” (1) and “Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope” (2).
Based on Chapters 1-6, is Nick as non-judgmental as he thinks he is?
Places to Look for Evidence:
Chapter Moments
1
2
3
3
5
5
6
6
I would choose 2-3 scenes for this assignment.
Look For
Does Nick give a neutral description of Tom, or is
Nick’s description of Tom
it clear from Nick’s description that Tom is
Buchanan
someone Nick disapproves of?
Is Nick being a snob for the way that he describes
Myrtle Wilson’s dinner
Myrtle’s party? Is he judgmental of the other
party (29-37)
people who show up at the party?
Gatsby’s party (39-55)
Is Nick judgmental of the people who come to
Gatsby’s parties?
Jordan Baker (57-59)
Does Nick think that he is better than Jordan?
Gatsby prepares for tea
How does Nick tell Gatsby that he is frustrated
with Daisy (82-88)
with Gatsby’s behavior?
Gatsby shows Nick and
Does Nick judge Gatsby for his wealth?
Daisy his house (89-92)
Gatsby has not been completely honest with Nick
Nick learns about
about his past. How does Nick react to this new
Gatsby’s past (97-101)
information?
Gatsby tells Nick about
Does Nick judge Gatsby for wanting to relive the
his dream life with Daisy
past?
(109-111)
Initial Brainstorm: Do you think Nick is as non-judgmental as he says he is?
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Graphic Organizer
INTRODUCTION
Hook
-Grab our attention
Mention title and
author
-The Great Gatsby by F.
Scott Fitzgerald
Thesis statement
-Use a concession to
answer the question: Is
Nick as non-judgmental
as he thinks he is?
Although…
BODY PARAGRAPH #1
Topic Sentence
-This should connect to
your thesis statement
First example
-Should be a quotation
sandwich
Second example
-Should be a quotation
sandwich
Page # and how it proves your topic sentence
Page # and how it proves your topic sentence
BODY PARAGRAPH #2
Topic Sentence
-This should connect to
your thesis statement
First example
-Should be a quotation
sandwich
Second example
-Should be a quotation
sandwich
Summarize what you
have shown
Page # and how it proves your topic sentence
Page # and how it proves your topic sentence
CONCLUSION
Body paragraph #1:
Body paragraph #2:
So What?
Why is this issue of
Nick’s judgmental
character so important?
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The Quotation Sandwich
1 | The Bun
This is the point you are
trying to make.
2 | The Filling
This is how you introduce
the quotation.
3 | The Meat (or Tofu  )
This is the quotation itself.
4 | The Bottom Bun
This is your analysis – and
the most important part of
the sandwich!
Rules for Quotations
DO
 Use only the words in the
quotation that you need
 Explain how the quotation
works by saying how the
author
communicates
a
feeling or idea
 Cite correctly





DO NOT
Say “this quotation shows”
Refer to the quotation as a
“quotation”
End a paragraph with a
quotation
Fill your entire paragraph with
quotations (no more than 1/3)
Leave the quotation alone
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Rubric for Short Essay
Categories
Below Expectations
Meets Expectations
No concession, and
thesis is unclear
Approaching
Expectations
No concession, but
thesis is clear
Evidence:
Quotations from the
novel should be
relevant.
Quotation Format:
You cite quotations
correctly.
Evidence does not
prove the point
Evidence mostly
proves the point
Evidence always
proves the point
Quotations are not
Quotations are
integrated correctly at occasionally
all
integrated incorrectly
Quotations are
integrated correctly
Analysis: Explain
thoroughly how
evidence proves the
point
Word Choice: The
vocabulary is rich and
effective.
Grammar:
Sentences are
complete and errorfree.
Proofreading: There
are no spelling or
capitalization
mistakes.
Analysis relies too
much on plot
summary
Analysis does not
always support topic
sentence or thesis
Analysis supports
topic sentence and
thesis
Exceeds
Expectations
Concession
enhances the main
argument
Evidence proves the
point and is
especially wellchosen
Quotations are
integrated in
especially
sophisticated ways
Analysis suggests an
especially thoughtful
reading of the text
Thesis: There is a
complex argument.
Inappropriate and
unclear wording
Some ineffective or
unclear wording
Effective and
appropriate language
Especially rich
vocabulary
3+ sentence errors
2 sentence errors
1 sentence error
No sentence errors
5+ mistakes
3-4 mistakes
1-2 mistakes
No mistakes
Thesis includes
concession
Grade: ______/40 points