Mr. Baumann
Sur. Am. Lit. CP
Edgar Allen Poe
Comparison Paragraph
Assignment:
Choose one of the five thesis statements and support it in a well-developed extended paragraph. Use the
information from the group work to help you support the thesis. Be sure to discuss both stories. Two quotes
are required; one from each story. Use as many details as needed, but do not retell the story. Supporting any
one of these thesis statements require you to go beyond the details that were discussed n the group activity.
The paragraph must be a minimum of 300 words, starting with the underlined thesis statement and finishing
with an adequate clincher sentence. Quotes do not count as sentences. You will be graded all of the above
requirements as well as grammar, usage, flow, and sentence structure. This paragraph will be worth fifty
points. Your notes from group work will be worth an additional ten points.
Due Date: Thursday, January 6th, 2011
Reminders:
No first person…No second person…Proper Comma and Semicolon Usage…Double-Spaced…12 Font (Times
New Roman)…Proper Citations….I have already read both these stories; do not turn this into a book report!!!!
Possible Poe Thesis Statements
1) The narrators in each of Poe’s short stories “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Black Cat” subconsciously want to get caught.
2) The narrators in each of Poe’s short stories “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Black Cat” are equally paranoid.
3) Symbolism is used to a greater effect in Poe’s short story “The Black Cat” than “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
4) In both of Poe’s short stories “The Black Cat” and “The Tell-Tale Heart,” obsession leads to the narrator’s demise.
5) In both of Poe’s short stories “The Black Cat” and “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the narrator is foiled by his love for his victims.
RUBRIC
Name:_______________________________________________
Title (2pt.)
Reference to stories (8pts.)
Black Cat Quote (2pts.)
Length (2pts.)
Clincher (2pts.)
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POE PARAGRAPH GRADING SHEET (40 pts.)
Underlined Thesis Statement - (2pts.)
Proving the Thesis (6pts.)
Tell-Tale Quote (2pts.)
Grammar/Usage/Flow (4pts.)
Notes (10pts.)
TOTAL PTS. _____________ OUT OF ____40______
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