Anthem Writing Assignment
The Prompt:
Explore the ideas of collectivism and individualism. Use examples from your own life and Anthem to support your thesis.
The Requirements:
-Must be a minimum of five paragraphs
-Must be in MLA format
-Each paragraph must contain at least ONE specific detail from EITHER your life or the text. You MUST refer to Anthem and provide
an example from the text AT LEAST once in your essay.
Your Thoughts: One of the oldest and most important philosophic issues is the problem of individuality vs. collectivism. Ayn Rand
was an advocate of individuality. She believed that all people can make choices, make up their own minds and can direct their own
lives by the ideas and values they adopt. Those who advocate for individualism believe that people are by nature in the grips or
forces beyond control. Those who advocate for collectivism believe that society is better if everyone has a common goal that they
work towards to make society better. There is no individuality in a collective society as individuals take away from the collective
goals of a group.
1.
After reading the descriptions of individualism and collectivism, decide how you feel about each. You may think that
individualism is more productive, or you may believe that collectivism leads towards a better society, or you may believe
that a little bit of each is the best. These thoughts might eventually take the form of your thesis statement.
2.
Do you think the characters in Anthem are individuals? Explain your answer and provide TWO quotes to support your
answer.
3.
How might Equality have criticized the ideas of collectivism? Why might he have done this?
4.
How might individuality hinder the success of a society?
Essay Outline
Essay Component
Suggestions
Intro: Hook
Consider the big ideas- individualism and
collectivism and get your reader thinking
about each.
-define terms
-present a scenario where individualism
might be a good idea
-present a scenario where collectivism
might be a good idea
-explain why it may be good to think
about both individualism and collectivism
-link the idea presented in the hook to the
novella
-does not have to be a complete sentence
-look for commonalities in key words
-We see individualism in the novel……
-novella title
In the novella Anthem…
-author
…by Ayn Rand….
-brief and accurate summary
…the main character, Equality….
State exactly where you stand regarding
collectivism and individualism. You may
list two or three sub topics that support
your stance
-do not include “I believe” or “I think”
statements
-Individualism is an important part of
society because…
-Collectivism can make a soiceity more
productive because….
-Both individualism and collectivism are
necessary in society because…..
Include a subtopic that supports your
thesis
-We see Equality developing as an
individual when….
-I have found that individualism is
important in my own life because….
Background information regarding the
instance in the story or your own life
-Before understanding how Equality
valued individualism we must
understand….
Intro: Transition from Hook to Bridge
Intro: Bridge
Intro: Thesis
Body Paragraph #1: Topic Sentence
Body Paragraph #1: Context
Your Ideas- complete sentences are not
required but complete thoughts are
Body Paragraph #1: Concrete Details
Specific details from the text or your own
life that relate directly to the TS.
-May include direct quotes (19)
-May paraphrase
-Be specific
Body Paragraph #1: Commentary
Explain how the CD’s link to your thesis
-Because Equality valued individuality he
became….
-Because I put value in collectivism….
-It is important to consider individualism
(or collectivism) because….
Body Paragraph #2: Topic Sentence
Body Paragraph #2: Context
Body Paragraph #2: Concrete Details
Body Paragraph #2: Commentary
Body Paragraph #3: Topic Sentence
Body Paragraph #3: Context
Body Paragraph #3: Concrete Details
Body Paragraph #3: Commentary
Conclusion: Return to hook
Conclusion: The Big Picture
The idea presented in the hook needs to
be revisited in the conclusion, you can
also include your thesis and remind the
reader where you stand regarding
collectivism and individuality.
-When collectivism (or individuality) exists
in society it can…..
So what? What do you want your reader
to do with the information you provided
in the essay?
Why is the information important?
The Scoring Guide: (to be handed in with your final draft)
GRADING SCALE:
A quality work indicates the writer develops his/her ideas, remains articulate and convincing. The author’s thoughts represent a
higher level of thinking. B quality work indicates the writer develops ideas and is articulate but the ideas do not represent a higher
level of communication. C quality work indicates the essay component may be evident but weak. D quality work indicates the writer
may attempt to communicate an idea but the writing may be unfocused and ideas incomplete. F quality work indicates the writer’s
ideas may be irrelevant to the topic or the writer did not include the essay component.
INTRODUCTION
________10 Compelling hook that relates directly to the thesis, draws the reader in and promotes thought.
________5 The bridge introduces the text and author and reminds the reader of the overall plot of the text.
________15 Thesis statement- explains the focus of the essay.
BODY PARAGRAPH #1
________10 Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
________10 each paragraph contains context providing the reader with background information so the reader is familiar with the
proposition made by the writer.
________10 Each paragraph contains a concrete example which can be a quote, specific example, or explanation from the text that
relates directly to the thesis. The quote is properly cited and adds to the reader’s understanding of the proposition made by the
writer.
________20 Each paragraph contains an explanation or commentary. The commentary further analyzes the evidence provided in
the concrete details and convincingly proves the point made within the paragraph and entire essay. The commentary also relates the
topic of the paragraph back to the overall thesis statement.
BODY PARAGRAPH #2
________10 Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
________10 each paragraph contains context providing the reader with background information so the reader is familiar with the
proposition made by the writer.
________10 Each paragraph contains a concrete example which can be a quote, specific example, or explanation from the text that
relates directly to the thesis. The quote is properly cited and adds to the reader’s understanding of the proposition made by the
writer.
________20 Each paragraph contains an explanation or commentary. The commentary further analyzes the evidence provided in
the concrete details and convincingly proves the point made within the paragraph and entire essay. The commentary also relates the
topic of the paragraph back to the overall thesis statement.
BODY PARAGRAPH #3
________10 Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates back to the thesis statement.
________10 each paragraph contains context providing the reader with background information so the reader is familiar with the
proposition made by the writer.
________10 Each paragraph contains a concrete example which can be a quote, specific example, or explanation from the text that
relates directly to the thesis. The quote is properly cited and adds to the reader’s understanding of the proposition made by the
writer.
________20 Each paragraph contains an explanation or commentary. The commentary further analyzes the evidence provided in
the concrete details and convincingly proves the point made within the paragraph and entire essay. The commentary also relates the
topic of the paragraph back to the overall thesis statement.
CONCLUSION
________10 Reviews the thesis statement
________10 Connects the thesis to the main ideas in the essay
________10 Extends the ideas and concepts presented in the essay to real life (why should the reader care about your opinion?)
________10 Contains an echo (concluding hook)
FORMATTING AND CONVEVNTIONS
________5 Essay contains correct MLA formatting
________20 spelling, grammar and punctuation (one point off for each mistake)
_______245 TOTAL