English II
Ms. Chenelle – Rm. 223
Short Story Analysis Essay Assignment
Write a 3-4 page essay or create a graphic organizer analyzing at least two of the short
stories studied in class. Your essay should be at least five paragraphs long. Each body paragraph
should begin with a topic statement and be followed by evidence (quotes and details from the stories
or outside sources) that support your topic statement.
DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 12 – LATE ESSAYS OR ESSAYS THAT ARE NOT TYPED WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED.
HOW TO GET STARTED:
1) Choose the “connection” or basis of comparison that you want to analyze in your
essay. Your connection should be a theme (e.g., tradition, parent-child conflict, racism, etc.) or a
literary device (irony, satire, foreshadowing, flashback, extended metaphor, etc.).
2) Choose at least two stories that share that connection or basis of comparison. (You can
choose stories studied in the literature circles as well as those read together in class.) Find quotes
and examples in each story that are relevant to or illustrate that connection.
3) Draft your thesis statement. Comparing the quotes and examples that you identified in each of
the stories in step 2 should suggest an argument or thesis that you can prove using those quotes and
examples. We will be discussing what makes a good thesis and how to write one in class, but see Ms.
Chenelle if you are having trouble coming up with a good thesis.
Your essay should be structured like this:
Introduction
Introduce the connection and the stories you are going to discuss in your essay. Briefly explain why
this connection is important to each story. End your introduction with your thesis statement or main
argument. Your thesis should explain what will be shown through the comparisons you will make in
your essay. Use the thesis examples discussed in class to evaluate whether or not your thesis is
effective.
Body (3-5 Paragraphs)
The body of your essay can range from 3 to 5 paragraphs in length. Each paragraph must begin with
a topic statement that is followed by relevant examples and quotes from the stories that support and
prove the topic statement. To figure out what your topic statements should be, go back to your thesis
and ask yourself, “what do I need to show or explain in order to prove my thesis statement?”
Conclusion
Wrap up your essay by summarizing your arguments, re-capping how you’ve proven your thesis and
why the connection you’ve discussed is important to each story. (Remember, DON’T USE “I,” or refer
to yourself – e.g., “my favorite” or “in my opinion” – it makes your argument less persuasive.)
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED ABOVE FOR EACH PARAGRAPH! IF
YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THEM, YOU WILL LOSE A LOT OF POINTS!
English II
Ms. Chenelle – Rm. 223
THE FINE PRINT
Your final draft must be typed, double-spaced, in 12pt Times Roman font. Your margins
should be no larger than 1.25”. There should be no extra space between paragraphs.
Points will be taken off if your essay is not formatted correctly. Ask Ms. Chenelle if you
have questions about how to format it correctly.
Essays MUST be printed or emailed in a Word document; essays typed directly in an email
will NOT be accepted. If you don’t have a computer at home, plan ahead so that you will have time
to use the computers in the classroom to type up your essay.
YOU MUST CITE YOUR SOURCES!
You must cite sources for all quotes and evidence you use from the stories or any other source, even
if you paraphrase them. You must provide citations within the body of the essay and also
include a “Works Cited” list at the end of the essay.
Within the body of your essay, you should provide citations for quotes and paraphrased
details from the short stories like this: (Author’sLastName #) -- Replace “#” with whatever page
your quote or the detail you paraphrased is on.
If you use any sources other than the short stories, you must cite them as well (both in
the body of the essay and in the Works Cited list). Be sure to follow the citation format
listed in the citation guide, which you can find on the class website:
http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/schenelle/HOW-TO-CITE-YOUR-SOURCES.doc
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY
I am only requiring that you write a final draft for this essay, which is due Friday, June 12. If you
would like feedback on a draft before turning in your final draft on June 12, I will be happy to look at
it. You will receive 10 extra credit points for showing me a complete draft by Monday,
June 8.
English II
Ms. Chenelle – Rm. 223
Short Story Analysis Essay Rubric
CATEGORY
Thesis / Main
Argument
Topic Sentences
Evidence
Comprehension
of Stories and
Theme or
Literary Device
Formatting,
Spelling,
Grammar and
Citation
Outstanding
(9-10)
Thesis/main
argument is clearly
stated in the
introduction. The
argument is
insightful, relevant
and provable.
Topic sentences
present clear,
provable
arguments that are
relevant to the
thesis/main
argument.
Evidence provided
in each paragraph
is relevant to the
topic sentence
(and the thesis),
accurate and
convincing.
The essay
demonstrates
strong
comprehension of
the stories and the
theme or literary
device chosen.
Essay follows
required format
and has very few
spelling or
grammatical
errors. Essay is 3-4
pages typed in a
Word doc, doublespaced, using the
correct font.
Sources are cited
correctly in body of
essay and in
“Works Cited” list.
Very Good (7-8)
Satisfactory (6)
Thesis/main
argument is clearly
stated in the
introduction. The
argument is
relevant and
provable.
Thesis/main
argument is
somewhat clearly
stated, though not
necessarily in the
introduction. The
argument is
relevant and
provable.
Topic sentences
present arguments
relevant to the
thesis/main
argument, but
they may be vague
or too fact-based.
Evidence provided
in each paragraph
is relevant to the
topic sentence
(and the thesis),
but not necessarily
accurate and
convincing.
The essay
demonstrates
some
comprehension of
the stories and the
theme or literary
device chosen.
Essay partially
follows required
format, but has
spelling and
grammatical errors
throughout. Essay
is 3-4 pages typed
in a Word doc, but
not necessarily
double-spaced, or
using correct font.
Sources are cited
in body of essay or
“Works Cited” list.
Topic sentences
present somewhat
clear, provable
arguments that are
relevant to the
thesis/main
argument.
Evidence provided
in each paragraph
is relevant to the
topic sentence
(and the thesis),
and somewhat
accurate and
convincing.
The essay
demonstrates
good
comprehension of
the stories and the
theme or literary
device chosen.
Essay generally
follows required
format and is
mostly free of
spelling or
grammatical
errors. Essay is 3-4
pages typed in a
Word doc, doublespaced, using
correct font.
Sources are cited
in body of essay
and in “Works
Cited” list.
Unsatisfactory
(5 and below)
Thesis/main
argument is not
clearly stated. The
argument is
irrelevant and/or
not provable.
Topic sentences
don’t present
arguments
relevant to the
thesis/main
argument.
Evidence is either
lacking or is not
relevant to the
topic sentence
(and the thesis).
The essay does
not demonstrate
comprehension of
the stories or the
theme or literary
device chosen.
Essay does not
follow required
format. Spelling
and grammatical
errors are very
frequent. Essay is
not 3-4 pages
typed in a Word
doc, doublespaced, using the
correct font.
Sources are not
cited in body of
essay or “Works
Cited” list.