TERM 1 ESSAY
‘By the River’
You are to choose a topic from one of the prompts below.
As discussed in class, it would be wise to do a draft in your workbook, and have someone else look
over it and give advice before writing or typing a good copy.
The final copy should be presented in the following manner:
The chosen topic must be at the top of the page (You’re only required to write the bold font).
It should be typed or neatly hand written.
There should be a margin of about 4 cm on the left hand side.
There must be double spacing between paragraphs.
The pages must be in a plastic pocket or stapled and have your name on the first page. I will not
accept work on a disk, but it can be sent by email on the due date (make sure you still check it has
been received and sign it in otherwise I will again not accept it).
You will have some class time, but this piece of work will also need to be done at home.
Choose from one of the following:
Steven Herrick often explores and challenges the ways fathers have been historically presented in
Australian literature as observers, comedic relief or neglectful of their children – usually leaving
them to the care of a mother, aunt, or ‘nurse’, and simply acting as financial provider and
disciplinarian.
What types of father - son relationships are explored in ‘By the River’ and is Herrick
successful in making them seem realistic?.
Many Australian authors attempt to recreate the pressures, prejudices and experiences people have
living in small rural towns - and some authors have failed, slipping into over-exaggerated and
unrealistic characterisations and situations of discrimination and intolerance.
Was Steven Herrick able to accurately portray a small town community from the
perspective of the poor and ‘different’ within.
Love is a central idea in ‘By the River’. It is a way of bringing people together as well as a means of
driving people away.
Examine the various ways love helps Harry understand himself and the people around him.
“I ate two helpings of Linda’s cake, six years and four days before she died in the flood.”
How does Harry’s experiences with loss, leaving and dealing with grief help him grow
throughout the novel?
Due date:
Term 1 Essay
Assessment Criteria
Name:
Introduction
 outlines your argument in the topic
sentence (or first 2 sentences)
 has a sentence or 2 giving the main idea of
each paragraph
 flows logically and smoothly
Each Topic Sentence
 is clearly related to the question
 outlines the main idea of the paragraph
 is precise and informative
Each paragraph
 contains a clear topic sentence
 explores one central idea only
 has evidence to support the idea
 has points that are clearly linked to the
question
Conclusion
 reaffirms your argument
 does not raise points that have not been
discussed in the essay
 comes to a conclusion rather than repeats
introduction
Cohesiveness
 your paragraphs are presented in a logical
order
 moves smoothly from one idea to next
 all ideas are clearly linked to the question
 the essay only deals with the broad ideas
raised in the introduction
 is not repetitive
Language, Organisation & Presentation
VH
H
M
L
VL
N/S
5
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
 is formal and uses appropriate word choices
 uses correct grammar and spelling
 clearly written or legible font
 handed in by the due date
TOTAL
TOTAL:
PERCENTAGE:
%
GRADE: