Name: __________________________ Period: ____
“They” by Siegfried Sassoon


Memorize the poem.
Irony affects the meaning of this poem. Before recitation, students will identify one example of irony in their own lives and explain why it is ironic
using an introduction, supporting evidence, and a concluding statement in their explanation.
They
THE Bishop tells us: ‘When the boys come back
‘They will not be the same; for they’ll have fought
‘In a just cause: they lead the last attack
‘On Anti-Christ; their comrades’ blood has bought
‘New right to breed an honourable race,
‘They have challenged Death and dared him face to face.’
‘We’re none of us the same!’ the boys reply.
‘For George lost both his legs; and Bill’s stone blind;
‘Poor Jim’s shot through the lungs and like to die;
‘And Bert’s gone syphilitic: you’ll not find
‘A chap who’s served that hasn’t found some change.’
And the Bishop said: ‘The ways of God are strange!’
Your grade will be based on the communication rubric (all aspects of the rubric will be used).
5
10
4
EXEMPLARY
3
PROFICIENT
 Extensive presentation with a
complete set of supporting facts,
examples, and /or details.
 Extraordinary confidence, clarity,
and awareness of purpose.
 Effective presentation with ample
facts, examples, and/or details.
 Considerable confidence, clarity,
and awareness of purpose.
 Suitable presentation with
adequate supporting facts,
examples, and/or details.
 Acceptable confidence, clarity,
and awareness of purpose.
 Extensive evidence of topic
knowledge and reasoning
processes.
 Substantial evidence of topic
knowledge and reasoning
processes.
 Adequate evidence of topic
knowledge and reasoning
processes.
 Opening/closing
 Extraordinary opening & closing.
 Effective opening & closing.
 Suitable opening & closing.
 Limited opening & closing.
 Transitions
 Enriching transitions.
 Successful transitions.
 Acceptable transitions.
 Negligible transitions.
 Logical dev. of ideas
 Extensive development of ideas.
 Considerable development of
ideas.
 Acceptable development of
ideas.
 Limited development of ideas.
 Extensive use of appropriate
vocabulary/terminology.
 Consistent utilization of correct
grammar and pronunciation.
 Presentation style is always
appropriate to audience.
 Effective use of appropriate
vocabulary/terminology.
 Nearly always utilizes correct
grammar and pronunciation.
 Presentation style is nearly always
appropriate to audience.
 Adequate use of appropriate
vocabulary/terminology.
 Utilization of grammar and
pronunciation is generally
correct.
 Presentation style is generally
appropriate to audience.
 Minimal use of appropriate
vocabulary/terminology.
 Occasionally utilizes correct grammar and
pronunciation.
 Presentation style is rarely appropriate to
audience.
 Volume is loud enough to be
heard by all audience members
throughout presentation.
 Presenter speaks clearly and
distinctly all the time.
 Extraordinary use of pitch and
tone to convey meaning.
 Volume is loud enough to be
heard by all audience members
throughout most of the
presentation.
 Presenter speaks clearly and
distinctly most of the time.
 Effective use of pitch and tone to
convey meaning.
 Volume is loud enough to be
heard by all audience members
throughout some of the
presentation.
 Presenter speaks clearly and
distinctly some of the time.
 Adequate use of pitch and tone
to convey meaning.
 Volume is barely audible.
 Presentation indicates advanced
levels of original thinking.
 Exceptional pacing.
 Presenter stands up straight, is
confident, and establishes eye
contact with everyone in the room
during the presentation.
 Gestures effectively enhance
presentation.
 Presentation indicates substantial
original thinking.
 Effective pacing.
 Presenter stands up straight and
establishes eye contact with
everyone in the room during the
presentation.
 Presentation indicates original
thinking some of the time.
 Suitable pacing.
 Presenter sometimes stands up
straight and establishes some
eye contact with the audience
during the presentation.
 Gestures generally enhance
presentation.
 Presentation indicates a minimal level of original
thinking.
 Ineffective pacing.
 Presenter has poor posture, and/or does not look
at people during the presentation.
ESSENTIAL
ELEMENTS
CONTENT
 Main Idea &
Supporting Details
 Achievement of
purpose
 Knowledge of topic
ORGANIZATION
LANGUAGE USE
 Vocabulary &
terminology
 Grammar
 Pronunciation
 Style (Formal or
Informal) appropriate
to audience.
VOICE
 Volume
 Clarity
 Intonation
DELIVERY
 Creativity
 Pace
 Posture
 Eye Contact
 Gestures
 Gestures nearly always enhance
presentation.
2
SATISFACTORY
1
UNSATISFACTORY
 Limited presentation with minimal supporting
facts, examples, and/or details offered.
 Limited confidence, clarity, and awareness of
purpose.
 Minimal evidence of topic knowledge and
reasoning process.
 Presenter often mumbles or cannot be understood.
 Minimal use of pitch and tone to convey meaning.
 Gestures are limited and rarely enhance
presentation.