The Things They Carried Essay
Due _________________
You will write a 2- 3 page essay using one of the prompts provided. Do your own work and remember
to document/cite any words or ideas that are not your own. (See below for citation method.)
Requirements:
- introduction paragraph (inverted pyramid with a good hook—be creative and captivating)
- author and title of novel are mentioned in introduction paragraph
- thesis (controlling idea) is the last sentence in the introduction paragraph
- body paragraphs with ample evidence and copious analysis.
- You decide how to organize.
- you must use a combination of direct quotes and paraphrased excerpts
- all direct quotes must be accompanied by an effective lead-in or be tagged with accompanying thought.
- you must weave throughout the body paragraphs (skillfully incorporate quotes)
- conclusion paragraph restates the thesis and leaves me thinking
- you must use present tense! (Tim was shocked. = NO! Tim is shocked. = YES!)
- you must follow all formal, academic writing rules (no 1st/2nd person, no contractions, no “dead”
words, no rhetorical questions)
- Get specific. Use concrete words. Avoid the abstract. (Use words you can drop on your foot.)
- Be thorough and detailed.
- Feel free to opine and stretch your analytical wings—but stay focused.
- Dare to impress. Submit only your most polished, fully edited draft.
- This is a real chance to prove you can handle college-level writing tasks.
- Citation: (author’s name page number) Example: (O’Brien 67)
 Citation of direct quotes:
o O’Brien recalls this irony when he writes, “I was a coward. I went to war” (58).
o Although O’Brien emphasizes war’s most awful consequences, he argues that “war wasn’t all
terror and violence” (30) and that it even offered moments of beauty—something
simplistic as “elephant grass . . . blowing under the stir of a helicopter’s blades” (35)—and
such moments help counterbalance the more gruesome events, juxtaposing war’s essential
contradiction: horror and beauty.
o Throughout the book, the notion that a “true war story is never moral” is explored
repeatedly through self-referential anecdotes (O’Brien 65).
 Citation of paraphrased material:
o War time, and the Vietnam war time in particular, was specifically frightening for draftaged males, who might be snatched from their regular lives and be dropped in a jungle to
fight an unclear war. When O’Brien recounts his decisive moment on the boat near Canada’s
border, he is exploring this pervasive fear, using his personal crisis to relay those of
millions of others (54-58).
- type the essay prompt at the top of the page
- type in Times/Times New Roman font, size 12
- double space the essay
- turn in a print copy OR an electronic copy through Google Docs
Prompts (choose one):
1. As shown in this novel, which is more effective in dealing with psychological trauma, fact “truth”
or story “truth”? Limit your discussion to the events in the text.
2. Although a war is between nations, it is really fought by individuals who stand to lose everything
in the process. Discuss this statement as illustrated by the novel.
3. Who/what is truly to blame for Kiowa’s death?
4. Compare/contrast Mary Ann Bell with Tim O’Brien, focusing on their transformation during the
war.
5. Choose three symbols from The Things They Carried. What do these items represent and
how/why are they integral to the novel?
6. Explore the theme of change in The Things They Carried. Choose two characters to analyze and
discuss how/why one changes for the better and one changes for the worse.
7. Is Norman Bowker “murdered” by his memories or by post-war society? Support your opinion with
examples from the text.
8. Is Jimmy Cross an effective or an ineffective leader? Select facts from the novel that prove
your position.
9. In your opinion, which character possesses the healthiest attitude toward the death and loss
experienced in the war? Use examples from the novel to justify your choice.
10. Top Three Moments: Select the most resonantly powerful three moments from the book and
thoroughly discuss them within the context of the book’s thematic arcs.
Worth 100 writing points . . .
You may also create your own essay topic related to our study of The Things They Carried. Consider exploring
“truth” in more detail, its emotional reality; consider the many examples of irony; consider how O’Brien uses
the power and nature of story itself to relay his experience.
Tip: Make time to see Mr. DiLeo for help composing your essay.
Essay Rubric
Standard
4
3
2
1
0
Outstanding
support of
thesis/prompt
Strong support of
thesis/prompt
Adequate
support of
thesis/prompt
OR some plot
summary
Commentary is
insightful,
meaningful &
consistently finds
connections
between characters,
events themes or
global
perspectives.
Concrete details
are excellent
choices for topic.
Commentary is
insightful and
occasionally finds
connections
between characters,
events or themes.
Concrete details are
well chosen for
topic.
Commentary
relates to issues
but may judge or
be obvious,
superficial,
simple, generic or
irrelevant.
Concrete details
fit topic.
Commentary
consists of plot
summary, is weak
with little
opinions
expressed or is
illogical.
Concrete details
are weak or have
factual errors.
Commentary and
concrete details
are indiscernible
or nonexistent.
Format
Fully adheres to
format required for
essay
Mostly adheres to
format required for
essay
Adheres to only
some of the
format required
for essay
Does not adhere to
format required
for the essay.
Required format
not apparent.
Conventions
Minimal
convention errors.
Some convention
errors but does not
impede reader.
Convention
errors begin to
impede reader.
Convention errors
significantly
detract from
meaning.
Convention errors
make essay near
incomprehensible.
Ideas
&
Content
Organization
& Voice
Minimal support
of thesis/prompt
AND/OR
significant plot
summary
Thesis/prompt
given NOT
addressed OR all
plot summary