11th -12th Grade Speech
Your Task:
Write an argumentative essay in which you read “The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions: Seneca Falls
Conference” and “The Declaration of Independence” and respond to the following prompt. In your essay, provide
a claim in which you state a clear opinion about the prompt, and support your opinion using specific references to
appropriate literary elements from the two works.
Writing Prompt
Should the Declaration of Sentiments (Seneca Falls 1848) be read as an extension of the Declaration of Independence
(Philadelphia 1776) or an entirely separate document? After reading The Declaration of Independence and the
Declaration of Sentiments, write an essay in which you compare the two and argue one point of view or the other.
Support your position with evidence from the texts.
Guidelines
Be sure to:
 Provide a valid interpretation of the writing prompt that clearly establishes the criteria for
analysis
 Indicate your opinion on the writing prompt as you have interpreted it
 Use the criteria suggested by the writing prompt to analyze the two works
 Us specific references to appropriate literary elements to develop your analysis.
 Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner
 Follow the conventions of standard written English
11th - 12th grade Poem
Your Task
Write an explanatory essay in which you read “Ode to my Suit” by Pablo Neruda and respond to the following
prompt. In your essay, provide a claim in which you state a clear opinion about the prompt, and support your
opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the text.
Writing Prompt
Why is Pablo Neruda’s “Ode to My Suit” considered an ode, and what does the suit in the poem symbolize? After
reading the text, write an essay in which you argue your opinion with evidence from the text.
Guidelines
Be sure to:
 Provide a valid interpretation of the writing prompt that clearly establishes the criteria for
analysis
 Indicate your opinion on the writing prompt as you have interpreted it
 Use the criteria suggested by the writing prompt to analyze the text
 Use specific references to appropriate literary elements (point-of-view, theme, etc.) to develop
your analysis.
 Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner.
 Follow the conventions of standard written English.
Your Task
Write an explanatory essay in which you read “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and respond to the
following prompt. In your essay, provide a claim in which you state a clear opinion about the prompt, and support
your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the text.
Compose an argument that describes the mood Poe is able to create and sustain in “The Cask of Amontillado”
through his use of dialogue, sensory details, and irony. Your claims should be supported with specific evidence
from the text, as well as clear reasoning that explains and connects your evidence to your argument.
Guidelines
Be sure to:
 Provide a valid interpretation of the writing prompt that clearly establishes the criteria for
analysis
 Indicate your opinion on the writing prompt as you have interpreted it
 Use the criteria suggested by the writing prompt to analyze the text
 Use specific references to appropriate literary elements (dialogue, irony, etc.) to develop your
analysis.
 Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner.
 Follow the conventions of standard written English.