Horgas/DeMaio
Death of a Salesman Assessment
Choose one of the following assignments for your Death of a Salesman final
assessment. All assignments are of equal weight.
Due: Thursday, January 20th
Must be handed in as a hard copy in class
1. The Eulogy: Write a eulogy for Willy Loman from the perspective of any of the
characters (other than Charley). Keep in mind that eulogies mention funny, sad,
or important moments in the deceased’s life and the ways in which that person
impacted the lives of others. Remember that the purpose of a eulogy is to honor
the life of the person for whom it is written. An appropriate length for a eulogy is
approximately one to two pages (double spaced).
2. The Soundtrack: Construct an album of approximately six to eight songs to add a
musical aspect to the play. Pay close attention to the lyrics. Write a short
reflection for each song explaining why you chose it. What is the artist/band
saying in the song? Which theme does the song identify with? How does the
song relate to the play? Be sure to provide the lyrics (along with the song itself)
and assign the songs to scenes of the play.
3. The essay: Write an essay in which you address one of the two prompts below.
You can choose whichever prompt you find most suitable for your thoughts on
the play. The essay will be graded based on the AP scoring guidelines, however
this will be a take-home assignment. Quotations and passage are to be included
in your essay. An appropriate length for this particular essay is approximately two
to three pages (double-spaced).
a. Prompt 1 (2007): In many works of literature, past events can affect,
positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a
character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with
some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay
in which you show how the character’s relationship to the past contributes
to the meaning of the work as a whole.
b. Prompt 2 (2005): In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, protagonist Edna
Pontellier is said to possess “that outward existence which conforms, the
inward life which questions.” In a novel or a play that you have studied,
identify a character who conforms outwardly while questioning inwardly.
Then write an essay in which you analyze how this tension between
outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the meaning of
the work. Avoid mere plot summary.
NAME: ____________________
SCORE: _____________
EULOGY: 60 points
Mechanics – 20 points

Is the eulogy of appropriate length?
/5

Proper grammar, spelling, and tense?
/5

Creative and appropriate diction?
/5

Variations in sentence structure?
/5
Content – 30 points

Is the eulogy written in a respectful, appreciative tone?
/10

Does the eulogy focus on and effectively honor Willy Loman?
/10

Does the eulogy discuss his life and those he loved?
/5

Does the eulogy use specific experiences from the text to support the
statements being made?
/5
Style – 15 points

Is it clear through voice and tone who the speaker is?
/5

Does the eulogy incorporate thoughtful commemorations?
/10
NAME: _______________________
SCORE: ________________
SOUNDTRACK: 60 points
Song Choice – 20 points

Does the soundtrack include an appropriate number of songs?
/5

Do all of the songs relate to the themes of the play?
/8

Are all of the songs assigned to different scenes of the play?
/7
Song Justification – 30 points

Does each song include a response that provides a logical reason why it was
chosen?

/10
Do these justifications demonstrate a genuine understanding of the themes of
the play?
/10

Do these justifications prove an understanding of the song itself?
/5

Are the lyrics provided? (Only if there are lyrics to the song)
/5

Are the songs diverse in their theme(s)? (Not all songs are referring to the
same theme of the play)
/10