Shepard Academy
for Law and Social Justice
Senior Block
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: “Harrison Bergeron” Literary Analysis Essay
PURPOSE: to better understand the process of literary analysis and the complexity of theme in literature, to develop
critical and writing skills, and to gain insight into the function of government
DIRECTIONS:
Develop an essay on the short story “Harrison Bergeron” analyzing a freaktheme (hidden theme—one not obvious such
as a moral would be). To do this review the reading on theme from The Literary Experience (Chapter 3) and reread the
short story carefully, keeping our classroom discussion and analysis in mind, but also using your own ideas and insights.
“Make it new,” as Ezra Pound says—make it your own, not one that will be or sound like other essays in class.
Be sure to include the following in the essay:

Creative attention getter

Clear thesis stating the freaktheme you are arguing for

three to five specific supporting elements (character, dialogue, figurative language, sensory imagery, etc.) from
the story

supporting details—quotes, examples, etc., from the story

present tense and third-person viewpoint

a conclusion discussing other, more obvious, themes and emphasizing yours

1000 or more words
RUBRIC:
45-50 – Clear statement of an original theme; excellent analysis using 4-5 supporting elements and numerous supporting
details; excellent mechanics
40-44– Clear statement of a specific theme; good analysis using 3-4 supporting elements and many supporting details;
excellent mechanics
36-39 –Clear statement of a theme; average analysis using 3 supporting elements and several supporting details; average
mechanics
PREWRITING:
1. Review the reading on theme and the story.
2. Brainstorm theme ideas (obvious and deeper):
3. Brainstorm/web supporting elements for one deeper/hidden theme:
4. Brainstorm/web supporting details for the elements of the story:
5. State the thesis:
6. Draft:
[Intro—catch attention, set up the topic, state the thesis
Body—develop the elements, examples, and details from the story that fully support the thesis
Conclusion—(see above)]