ENG4C
Death of a Salesman Persuasive Essay Assignment
LEARNING GOAL:
We can use our knowledge and understanding of Death of a Salesman to write a five paragraph persuasive essay on one of the specific
topics mentioned below.
REMEMBER:
Persuasive essays require authors to use their ability to convince the reader that their point of view (opinion) is the right one.
Essay Topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Is Willy Loman a success or a failure?
Is Willy Loman a tragic hero?
Do Willy’s conflicts (with society, his family and/or himself) ultimately lead to his demise?
Why does Willy resist change so much?
Examine how Willy’s regrets in life lead to his current mental state.
What is Miller’s attitude toward the main character? Does his play ridicule Willy? Is it sympathetic toward him? Or does
Miller remain essentially neutral and objective?
SUCCESS CRITERIA:
See class generated list located on Class Net
Evaluation Rubric
Knowledge / Understanding
▪Demonstrates knowledge of the literary text
(Death of a Salesman)
▪Demonstrates understanding of proper essay
format (logical introduction, body and
conclusion)
R
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Thorough
understanding; very few
/ minor errors in essay
format
Limited understanding;
many errors in essay
format
Some
understanding; a
number of errors
in essay format
Considerable
understanding; a
few errors in essay
format
Limited thinking; weak
support; some of the
writing process
completed
Fair thinking and
support; most of
the writing process
completed
Considerable
thinking and
support; all of the
writing process
completed
Strong thinking and
support; writing process
completed thoroughly
Limited clarity; weak
organization; weak / no
transitions; incorrect
incorporation of quotes;
many errors in spelling
and grammar and / or
page formatting
Some clarity; fair
organization; fair
transitions; fair
incorporation of
quotes; number of
errors in spelling
and grammar and /
or page formatting
Considerable
clarity; good
organization; good
transitions; correct
incorporation of
quotes; few errors
in spelling and
grammar and / or
page formatting
Strong clarity; strong
organization; strong
transitions; strong
incorporation of quotes;
few / minor errors in
spelling and grammar
and / or page formatting
Limited connections;
limited / weak
incorporation of
persuasive writing
elements
Fair connections;
some
incorporation of
persuasive writing
elements
Good connections;
good incorporation
of persuasive
writing elements
throughout
Solid connections; solid
incorporations of
persuasive writing
elements throughout
Thinking
▪Generates a thesis that is on topic
▪Gathers logical ideas / evidence from the play
to support thesis /arguments. No unrelated
information that destroys unity.
▪Demonstrates writing process skills by
completing all required steps (Brainstorming,
Outline, Rough Draft, Peer evaluation)
Communication
▪Ideas are presented clearly (avoids awkward
phrasing) and logically organized
▪Effective and varied sentences are used
▪Uses transitions to clearly show ideas
connections
▪Quotes from the play are correctly
incorporated to support arguments. No floating
quotes!
▪Applies correct spelling and grammar (based
on level of writing) with emphasis on RunOns, Fragments, Parallel Structure
▪Applies correct MLA page formatting
Application
▪Makes connections between the selected
topic/ arguments and source material
(supporting ideas and evidence from the play
are fully explained and linked to argument /
thesis)
▪Incorporate persuasive writing devices
throughout the essay to achieve a persuasive
tone.
ENG4C
ENG4C Persuasive Essay Outline
Which Essay Topic did you select:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction:
Hook (How will you introduce the essay topic—anecdote, definition, description, questions etc.?):
State your thesis:
Briefly introduce your supporting arguments (3-4) in the order they will appear in the essay:
Body: (Organize argument paragraphs: Strong-Weak-Strongest, or using the chronological order of the plot—it depends on your thesis)
Supporting Argument 1
Supporting Argument 2
Supporting Argument 3
Counter Argument:
Counter Argument:
Counter Argument:
Your Argument
Your Argument
Your Argument
Evidence to support your arguments:
Evidence to support your arguments:
Evidence to support your arguments:
Conclusion: (NEVER introduce new arguments / evidence/ ideas in the conclusion)
Rephrase thesis:
Briefly summarize your supporting points:
Conclude with a universal statement e.g. the lesson learned, final judgment (although NOT about whether or not the play is “good”). etc.
ENG4C
Name: ______________________________
Persuasive Essay Brainstorming
1. What topic have you selected and why?
2. What the thesis / argument you will present?
3. List your possible support ideas (3-4):
Name: ______________________________
Persuasive Essay Brainstorming
1. What topic have you selected and why?
2. What the thesis / argument you will present?
3. List your possible support ideas (3-4):
ENG4C
Persuasive Essay Success Criteria
I can….
 Show my understanding of key narrative elements (character, theme) from Death of a
Salesman
 Follow my “persuasive essay writing” note to produce a properly formatted persuasive
essay
 Use my knowledge of the play to generate a thesis that is academic and on topic
 Support my thesis with appropriate subtopics and counter-arguments
 Show that I have worked through the writing process by completing and submitting
my initial brainstorming, outline, rough draft and peer editing checklist with my final
copy
 Present my ideas coherently and logically
 Use effective and varied sentence structures
 Show logical progression of ideas by using transitional words and phrases
 Effectively select and incorporate textual evidence / quotes
 Write with correct spelling and grammar
 Use proper MLA page formatting
 Make strong connections between my selected topic and evidence from the play
 Incorporate persuasive writing techniques (word choice, repetition, hyperbole etc.) to
achieve a persuasive tone throughout my essay