Into The Wild
Literary Analysis
RATIONALE: Now that you have read the book, it is time to write a response to
literature essay in which you cite not only the book, but outside articles to prepare
your for college level writing tasks.
THE PROMPT: Hubris (possible assessment)
One theme explored in depth throughout Into The Wild is the fine line between
hubris (excessive pride or self-confidence) and deliberately living one’s life on the
edge. A number of Alaskans argue that Chris McCandless brought about his own
demise by going into the wild without sufficient respect for the wilderness. Others
believe that Chris understood the risks he took and that he did so deliberately
because he wished to push himself to the limits of his ability. Did Chris act recklessly
when he walked into the
Alaskan wilderness or did his actions reflect the certitude of an individual testing his
own fortitude?
Write an essay in which you develop a thesis (an argument) about Chris’s actions,
specifically whether they constitute hubris or a deliberate risk. Consider the
information provided -- including the source -- in the following documents:
“Remembering Christopher McCandless 20 Years Later,” “Examining Chris
McCandless, 20 Years After He Went ‘Into The Wild,’” Into the Wild: 3 Hikers
Rescued Near Scene of
Fatal Alaska Adventure,” the video excerpt of Jon Krakauer’s appearance on Oprah
(if not used to introduce the assignment), “Did Krakauer Finally Solve ‘Into The
Wild’ Mystery” or “How Chris McCandless Died,” and Into The Wild. Be sure to
distinguish your claim from opposing claims, support your argument with at least
four of the documents (including the book) and cite your sources.
THE ESSAY:
As you move to higher level learning institutions, you will move away from the
standard five paragraph essay in favor of an essay of your own design where you
may start a new paragraph wherever you may like. However, as you slowly graduate
from this form to the next, please heed the following outline and planning packet to
help you with this essay.
THE OUTLINE:
PARAGRAPH ONE:
Topic Sentence: Everyone dreams of living an authentic life where he can live
deliberately, freely, and for a higher purpose. However, the human species is more
than capable or error; therefore, the quest for adventure will never reach fruition
without extreme hardship.
Lead-inBegin with a parallel story where someone who attempted to live deliberately
and freely such as Henry David Thoreau, Edward Abbey, Jack Kerouac, Captain Paul
Watson, Cheryl Strayed, Anne LaBastille, Beryl Markham, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Edward
Snowden, John Muir, , Allen Ginsberg, George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Daniel Ellsberg,
Mahatma Gandhi, , Che Guevara, Nelson Mandela, Ho Chi Minh, Galileo Galilei,.
RECAP THAT PERSON’S STORY HERE:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
TRANSITION WHERE YOU TIE IT TO INTO THE WILD and Chris McCandless’ story
THESIS: Chris McCandless’ decision to go into the wild constitute (CHOOSE
ONE) hubris or deliberate risk.
ELABORATION SENTENCE: ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH TWO:
Topic Sentence: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
QUOTE YOU WANT TO USE FROM “Examining Chris McCandless, 20 years after he
went 'Into the Wild':
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________ .
EXPLANATION SENTENCES (1-3):
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH THREE:
Topic Sentence with transition: ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
QUOTE YOU WANT TO USE FROM : Into the Wild: 3 hikers rescued near scene of
fatal Alaska adventure:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________ .
EXPLANATION SENTENCES (1-3):
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH FOUR:
Topic Sentence with transition: ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
QUOTE YOU WANT TO USE FROM SOURCE OF YOUR CHOICE:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________ _____________________________________________________.
EXPLANATION SENTENCES (1-3):
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
*Please see webpage for link to quotes of your choice.
PARAGRAPH FIVE:
Topic Sentence with transition:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
QUOTE YOU WANT TO USE FROM THE ACTUAL BOOK: ____________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________ .
EXPLANATION SENTENCES (1-3):
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH SIX-CONCLUSION:
TOPIC SENTENCE:
RECAP PARALLEL STORY:
RECAP YOOUR MAIN POINTS:
CLINCHER
WORKS CITED:
-You will need to put your four sources in this section at the end of your paper. They
must be written in MLA format.
These are posted online, but here are links to the articles you can use for your
support paragraphs:
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/29/nation/la-na-nn-into-wild-rescuealaska-20130529
http://www.adn.com/article/chris-mccandless-example-20-years-later
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/how-chris-mccandlessdied?mobify=0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pete-mason/remembering-christophermccandless_b_1777825.html
http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/02/why-the-teen-brain-is-drawn-to-risk/
GRADING RUBRIC
CATEGORY
10
8
6
4
Grammar/
Punctuation
Paper is free from
punctuation and
grammar errors;
written in present
tense, academic
English
Each support has
a topic sentence,
transitional
phrase, and
indented
paragraphs
Four support
paragraphs with a
quote each,
properly cited and
embedded
The quotes in all
four support
paragraphs are
properly
explained and tied
back to thesis.
Lead-in, Thesis,
Topic
Sentence/Clincher
(conclusion only)
present in
opening and
ending
10/12 pt Times
New Roman,
double-space,
indented
paragraphs, four
entries for Works
Cited
1-3 errors
4-6 errors
7+errors
1-2 errors
3-4 errrors
5+errrors
All quotes are
present but not
properly cited or
embedded
1 quote is missing
More than 1
quote is missing
All quotes are
explained but not
quite tied back to
thesis
At least one quote
is not properly
explained
More than one
quote is not
properly
explained
At least one
element is
confusing
At least one
element is
missing
More than one
element is
missing
1 error
2 errors
3+ errors
Structure
Evidence
Elaboration
Intro/Conclusion
MLA Format and
Voice
The essay should be written in academic register (active voice, present tense or past
tense consistently, and no “I”;s)
Read your paper aloud before submitting it to make sure it makes sense!
The Works Cited Page should have four entries that start on a new page
The outline is worth 25 points
Essay is due to Turnitin.com on Monday, February 2nd