ENG4C – “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”
Literary Response Assignment
Your task is to write a 5 paragraph literary response to one of the topics below.
Your response should be well organized and include:
o
o
o
an introductory paragraph which introduces the reader to the topic you plan to address and
identifies the ideas you plan to expand upon in the body of your response (i.e. your thesis
statement and statement of 3 arguments),
a detailed body paragraph section (3 paragraphs) wherein you explore the topic in detail,
utilizing your own ideas, as well as evidence and direct quotations (2 per argument) from the
novella, and
a concluding paragraph which restates your thesis and 3 arguments and sums up your ideas.
TOPICS
I.
One of the major themes in the novella is the burden of isolation and imprisonment.
Examine whether the novella is a realistic interpretation of the American penal system.
II. Explain and illustrate the ‘power of hope’ in “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank
Redemption”.
III. A reoccurring theme in the novella is corruption and crime. Andy is both effected by
and takes advantage of this. Examine both sides of the theme corruption and crime in
the novella.
IV. Time serves as both a torment as well as a means for Andy’s escape. Explore the
reoccurring theme of time in the novella.
V. Examine the pinup posters (of Rita Hayworth and the other women) as a symbol in the
novella.
VI. The rocks represent a symbol in the novella. Examine the purpose and significance of
the rocks in the story.
Citations
You will use the MLA method of citation in your writing. Use the following format.
Quotes less than 3 typed lines:
“He had plenty of time to study those walls. Plenty of time. When the cell door slams and the lights go
out, there’s nothing else to look at” (93).
Quotes greater than 3 typed lines:
I hope Andy is down there.
I hope I can make it across the border.
I hope to see my friend and shake his hand.
I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.
I hope. (107)
Works Cited
King, Stephen. “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.” Different Seasons. New York: Viking.
1982. Print.
*Using quotations to support your ideas and citing them properly is worth 30 of the 70 marks
for your assignment, so be sure to include quotations and cite them properly!!*
“Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”
Literary Response Assignment
Planning Sheet
Topic:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Thesis:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Introduction:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: (the first argument of your thesis statement)
Topic:
__________________________________________________________________________
Points:



Page references for quotations (2): ______________________________________________
Paragraph 3: (the second argument of your thesis statement)
Topic:
__________________________________________________________________________
Points:



Page references for quotations (2):______________________________________________
Paragraph 4: (the third argument of your thesis statement)
Topic:
__________________________________________________________________________
Points:



Page references for quotations (2):______________________________________________
Conclusion:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ENG4C – “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”
Literary Response Assignment - Marking Scheme
Name:_________________________ Total: ____ marks
70
Category
Knowledge &
Understanding
I can show that I
understand the
characters and big
ideas (themes) in the
text through my
writing
/10
Thinking & Inquiry
I can make inferences
and analyze the text
based on my topic
and
use examples and
quotations from the
text to support my
ideas
Level 4
80-100%
Level 3
70-79%
Level 2
60-69%
Level 1
50-59%
Level R
0-49%
Writing shows an
exemplary
understanding of
characters, theme
and chosen focus
or topic
Writing shows a
considerable
understanding of
characters, theme
and chosen focus
or topic
Writing shows
some
understanding of
characters, theme
and chosen focus
or topic
Writing shows a
limited
understanding of
characters, theme
and chosen focus
or topic
Writing shows
little or no
understanding of
characters,
theme
and chosen
focus or topic
Student infers,
analyzes and
makes use of
examples and
quotations from
the text to support
ideas with a high
degree of
effectiveness
Student infers,
analyzes and
makes use of
examples and
quotations from
the text to support
ideas with a
considerable
degree of
effectiveness
Student infers,
analyzes and
makes use of
examples and
quotations from
the text to support
ideas with a some
effectiveness
Student infers,
analyzes and
makes use of
examples and
quotations from
the text to support
ideas with limited
effectiveness
Student does
little or nothing in
the way of
inferring or
analyzing, nor
does he/she use
examples and/or
quotations from
the text to
support his/her
ideas
Ideas are
communicated
with a high degree
of clarity
Ideas are
communicated
with considerable
degree of clarity
Ideas are
communicated
with some clarity
Ideas are
communicated
with limited clarity
Clear evidence of
editing /
Control of
conventions is
evident in written
work
Considerable
evidence of
editing /
Errors exist but do
not distract from
communication
Some evidence of
editing /
Errors exist and
distract from
communication
Limited evidence
of editing /
Errors exist and
interfere with
communication
Ideas are not
communicated
clearly; reader
cannot easily
follow writer’s
ideas
Little or no
evidence of
editing /
Errors exist to a
degree as to
impede
communication
Quotations are
cited with a high
degree of
accuracy- no
errors exist in
citations
Considerable
accuracy in citing
of quotations; only
a few minor errors
in citations
Some accuracy in
citing quotations;
definite errors
exist in citations
Minimal accuracy
in citing of
quotations: citing
is either incorrect
in most places or
is improperly done
overall
/20
Communication
I can express my
ideas clearly and
coherently so that my
reader can easily
understand me
/10
I can make use of the
writing process to
ensure a polished
final draft (error-free!)
/20
Application
I can make use of
quotations to support
my ideas, and apply
what I know about
citing sources and
correctly cite my
quotations accurately
/10
COMMENTS:
No quotations
used, therefore
no citations are
present