Name: ______________________________
English 3 Teacher: ______________________________
Junior Reading Project 1 (100 Points)
Directions:
Using your Wednesday independent reading book, choose one of the three writing prompts below. Begin brainstorming by
completing the outline handout. Then handwrite or type your essay based on the outline. The essays will be scored using the
attached rubric.
Due Date:
Completed Essay: Wednesday, October 14th
Optional In-Class Work Days: Wednesday, October 7th and 14th
Prompts: Choose one of the following prompts to use when completing your essay.
1. Identify a central, or important, conflict in the book. How did this conflict affect the identity of a character/multiple
characters in the book? How was the conflict solved and how did this resolution change the character?
2. Choose one character in the book. How has the character’s identity changed from the beginning until the end of the
book? What caused this changed? How did the change impact the character?
3. Identify a central, or important, conflict in the book that a character had to overcome. What characteristics does the
character possess that allowed the character to overcome the conflict?
Rubric:
Content and
Purpose
Idea
Development
Organization
Voice and
Tone
Mechanics
4 = 105 pts.
The essay specifically
analyzes how one
character or conflict
affected the meaning of
the book.
The essay provides
unique and thorough
details and explanations
to analyze how one
character or conflict
affected the meaning of
the book.
The essay demonstrates
purposeful organization
and includes subtle
transitions from one idea
to the next.
The essay showcases
voice and tone
appropriate for writing
to peers.
The essay consistently
demonstrates control of
language and mechanics.
3 = 90 pts.
The essay analyzes how
one character or conflict
affected the meaning of
the book.
2 = 75 pts.
The essay attempts to
analyze one character or
conflict affected the
meaning of the book.
1 = 60 pts.
The essay does not relate
how one character or
conflict affected the
meaning of the book.
The essay provides
details and explanations
to analyze how one
character or conflict
affected the meaning of
the book.
The essay inconsistently
provides details and
explanations to analyze
how one character or
conflict affected the
meaning of the book.
The essay provides few
details and little
explanation to analyze
how one character or
conflict affected the
meaning of the book.
The essay demonstrates
organization and
includes clear transitions
from one idea to the
next.
The essay has only
occasional lapses in
voice and/or tone
appropriate for writing
to peers.
The essay demonstrates
control of language and
mechanics.
The essay attempts
organization and
transitions from one idea
to the next.
The essay lacks
organization and
transitions from one idea
to the next.
The essay has often
lapses in voice and/or
tone appropriate for
writing to peers.
The essay has no voice
and/or tone inappropriate
for writing to peers.
The essay demonstrates
lessened control of
language and mechanics.
The essay demonstrates
little control of language
and mechanics.
Descriptive Essay Outline/Pre-writing Graphic Organizer
Introduction/ Opening Paragraph:
 Engaging Opening:
 Background Information: what does your reader need to know as you begin analyzing
your book?
 Hint at the reflection of what you learned.
Body Paragraph 1: What will you analyze first? _____________________________
Topic Sentence:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 1:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 2:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 3:
Conclusion/ Transition Sentence:
Body Paragraph 2: What is the second topic of your analysis?
________________________________________
Topic Sentence:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 1:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 2:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 3:
Conclusion/Transition Sentence:
Body Paragraph 3: What the third topic of your analysis?
____________________________________________
Topic Sentence:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 1:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 2:
Detail and Supporting Evidence 3:
Conclusion/Transition Sentence:
Conclusion/ Closing Paragraph:
 Significance of Analysis:
 What did you learn?
 Why does what you learn matter to your understanding of the book?
Analysis Checklist: USE THIS AFTER YOU HAVE DRAFTED YOUR ESSAY
o Description of characters is clear and thorough for someone who has not read the book.
o Clear point of view
o Analysis of direct characterization
o Analysis of indirect characterization
o Conclusion with reflection
o Transitions between paragraphs
o Descriptive details about characters
o Descriptive details about the setting
o Multiple paragraphs
o Quotations for the book used in the analysis
o Book titles are underlined (if handwritten) or italicized (if typed)
o Avoid basic spelling and grammar mistakes such as “ i “ instead of “ I “