Grade 11 University English
Literary Essay Writing
Summative Assignment
1. Amir’s journey from sin to redemption and the words of Hugh White (1773-1840) challenge us to remember that “when
you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward.
Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.” Write an interesting and
creative essay where you argue whether or not Amir achieves redemption while on his journey..
2. At first glance, The Kite Runner may appear to be a male focused even patriarchal text. Write an interesting and
thoughtful essay where you challenge this notion and suggest that Hosseini has subtly challenged the stereotypes and
traditional roles and responsibilities of women. He ultimately raises the question of what it means to be a woman.
3. Sacrifice is a reoccurring theme throughout The Kite Runner. Jesus challenges us to reconsider sacrifice (ultimately
through his death) by saying “there is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for one’s friend”. Write a thoughtful and
creative essay exploring the notion of love and sacrifice as it pertains to various relationships in The Kite Runner.
4. The bond and relationship between fathers and sons is explored in various ways throughout the Kite Runner. It was
Sigmund Freud who said “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.” Support
or refute Freud’s statement by reference to the multiple father son dynamics presented in the text.
A literary essay has several distinct features:

An engaging introduction that builds towards a clear thesis (specific and arguable)

A number of body paragraphs that allow a series of logical and coherent arguments to unfold which prove your
stated thesis

An organizational structure in each body paragraph which a) introduces the idea being argued b) provides
evidence (quotation) to prove the idea c) explains how the quotation supports the idea being argued in the
paragraph

Has paragraphs that are, more or less, a half a page in length, do not begin or end with a quotation and incorporate
transitional devices. Do not write a five paragraph essay!

Superior literary essays grammatically embed 5 -7 quotations and includes a works cited page (following MLA
guidelines)

Proper application of language conventions (spelling, punctuation, grammar) with special attention to proper
punctuations around quotations, citations, work cited, etc.)
Your literary essay should also meet the following requirements:

Should be 4-5 pages (1000-1250 words long) and double-spaced

Be typed using Times New Roman 12 pt. font size with 1 inch margins
Due dates:
 Conference: __________________
(including essay outline)
Final Draft: __________________________
ENG3UI – Literary Essay Rubric
The Kite Runner
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Demonstrates a
limited
understanding of the
novel and author’s
intentions
Demonstrates
limited
understanding of
the conventions of a
formal essay
Demonstrates some
understanding of the
novel and author’s
intentions
Demonstrates a
considerable
understanding of the
novel and author’s
intentions
Demonstrates
considerable
understanding of the
conventions of a
formal essay
Demonstrates a high
degree of
understanding of the
novel and author’s
intentions
Demonstrates a high
degree of
understanding of the
conventions of a
formal essay
Uses critical, creative, and inquiry
skills to interpret the novel and
formulate a thesis
Limited critical,
creative, and inquiry
skills resulting in a
limited or
unfocused thesis
Some critical,
creative, and inquiry
skills resulting in a
somewhat unfocused
thesis
Considerable critical,
creative, and inquiry
skills resulting in a
considerably focused
thesis
Argumentation offers sufficient
proof for ideas
Argumentation offer
limited proof for
ideas
Limited use of
process work
Argumentation offer
some proof for ideas
Argumentation offer
considerable proof
for ideas
Considerable use of
process work
A high degree of
critical, creative, and
inquiry skills
resulting in an
exceptionally focused
thesis
Argumentation offers
exceptional proof for
ideas
Exceptional use of
process work
Limited logic,
coherence and
proper organization
Limited
sophisticated diction
Limited mastery of
language
conventions
Limited use of
rhetorical strategies
Some logic,
coherence and proper
organization
Some sophisticated
diction
Some mastery of
language conventions
Considerable logic,
coherence and proper
organization
Considerable
sophisticated diction
Considerable mastery
of language
conventions
Considerable use of
rhetorical strategies
Exceptional logic,
coherence and proper
organization
Exceptionally
sophisticated diction
Exceptional mastery
of language
conventions
Exceptional use of
rhetorical strategies
Limited connections
created between the
novel and school of
criticism
Some connections
created between the
novel and school of
criticism
Limited command
of a works cited and
application of MLA
guidelines
Some command of a
works cited and
application of MLA
guidelines
Considerable
connections created
between the novel
and school of
criticism
Considerable
command of a works
cited and application
of MLA guidelines
Exceptional
connections created
between the novel
and school of
criticism
Exceptional
command of a works
cited and application
of MLA guidelines
Knowledge &
Understanding
Knowledge & understanding of
the novel and author’s intentions
Knowledge of the conventions of a
formal literary essay
Demonstrates some
understanding of the
conventions of a
formal essay
Thinking & Inquiry
Use of process work: seminar,
brainstorming, outlines, rough
draft
Communication
Logical, coherent, and proper
organization
Appropriate diction (ENG3UI
level)
Proper use of language
conventions (spelling, grammar,
punctuation, quotations)
Application
Uses a variety of rhetorical
strategies
Makes connections with the novel
and a school of literary criticism
Use of a works cited & application
of MLA guidelines throughout
essay
Teacher Comments:
Student Comments:
Some use of process
work
Some use of
rhetorical strategies