Analytical Essay
Topics
As you will remember from the information provided at the beginning of the
course, you will be required to write your comparative essay during the Literature
Circle unit. For this essay you are encouraged to consider literature under a
microscope: to analyze with the proverbial fine tooth comb. It is my strong
recommendation that you begin your essay work by carefully reviewing your topic
as it appears within the text – read for detail and meaning. Your best chance
of achieving a close-enough reading is to rely on the Six Traits of writing;
identify each trait and consider why its usage might be significant.
Essay Topics
You are welcome to choose one of the following topics or create your own topic
(with approval prior to writing the essay).
Books
Potential Topics
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
What is Martel trying to say about
religion and belief?
Great Expectations by Charles
Dickens
How and why does Dickens
develop the idea that right and
wrong or good and evil get
confused within Great
Expectations?
Death of a Salesman by Arthur
Miller
How and why does Arthur Miller
use `technological` symbols (tape
recorder, Cheese Whiz) to
demonstrate the destruction of
characters?
The concept of war extends
beyond the historical setting of
World War I. How and why does
Findlay use symbolism to develop
the various wars in The Wars?
The Wars by Timothy Findlay
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Human sympathy is easily
manipulated. Support or refute
this statement by considering
Atwood`s construction of Grace.
How is Martel using `the absurd`
within Life of Pi? You will want to
consider elements and events
which defy reason, yet remain
believable on some level.
Consider how money functions as
both a plot device and a symbol
within Great Expectations. How
does this support Dickens’ political
agenda or purpose within the
book?
How does Arthur Miller make use
of dramatic structure to further his
theme or purpose? You will want
to ensure that you consider the
requiem.
At one point in the novel Robert
looks at Rodwell and thinks he
looks strange. He concludes,
“We’re all strange, Robert thought.
Everyone is strange in a war I
guess. Ordinary is a myth.” To
what extent is Robert Ross just an
ordinary man?
What is the role of physical beauty
or image in the oppression of
women within Alias Grace?
This essay is due Monday, November 1st, 2010
Rubric for Essay
Criteria
Knowledge &
Understanding
 ideas,
concepts,
themes
 literary forms
and terms
Thinking & Inquiry
 Analysis
 Use of
evidence
Communication
 Use of essay
form
 language and
voice
Application
 language
conventions
 references to
texts and MLA
format
Level 4
□ shows thorough
understanding of
the topic
Level 3
□ Shows
considerable
understanding of
the topic
Level 2
□ Shows some
understanding of
the topic
Level 1
□ Shows limited
understanding of
the topic
□ Shows thorough
and insightful
knowledge of
relevant literary
terms
□ Develops ideas
with a high
degree of logic
and coherence
□ Shows
considerable
knowledge of
relevant literary
forms and terms
□ Develops ideas
with considerable
logic and
coherence
□ Shows some
knowledge of
relevant literary
forms and terms
□ Shows limited
knowledge of
relevant literary
forms and terms.
□ Develops ideas
with some logic
and coherence
□ Develops ideas
with limited logic
and coherence
□ Incorporates
highly effective,
well-chosen, and
relevant evidence
□ shows extensive
command of the
essay form
including a clear
and engaging
thesis or
controlling ideas;
highly effective
organization;
strong
conclusion.
□ Incorporates
considerable
well-chosen,
relevant evidence
□ shows
considerable
command of the
essay form
including clear
thesis and
controlling idea;
organization;
conclusion
□ Incorporates
some wellchosen, relevant
evidence
□ Shows some
command of the
essay form
including thesis or
controlling idea;
organization;
conclusion
□ Incorporates
limited relevant
evidence
□ uses appropriate
language and
voice with
considerable
effectiveness and
consistency
□ uses appropriate
language and
voice with some
effectiveness and
consistency
□ uses appropriate
language and
voice with limited
effectiveness and
consistency
□ applies grammar,
usage, spelling,
and punctuation
with a
considerable
degree of
accuracy and
effectiveness
□ applies grammar,
usage, spelling,
and punctuation
with some
accuracy and
effectiveness
□ applies grammar,
usage, spelling,
and punctuation
with a limited
degree of
accuracy and
effectiveness
□ uses appropriate
references with
considerable
effectiveness;
avoids summary
of plot
□ uses appropriate
references with
some
effectiveness;
attempts to avoid
summary of plot
□ uses appropriate
references with
limited
effectiveness
□ uses appropriate
language and
voice with a high
degree of
effectiveness and
consistency
□ applies grammar,
usage, spelling,
and punctuation
with a high
degree of
accuracy and
effectiveness
□ uses appropriate
references with a
high degree of
effectiveness;
avoids summary
of plot
□ Shows limited
command of the
essay form
including thesis or
controlling idea;
organization;
conclusion