Mabie
AES
Greek Theater Unit
English 9
Truth and Tragedy: An Essay Assignment
Based on the brainstorming that you did on Monday (26 November), you are to write an essay that
includes a thesis statement. There are many possibilities here. You could create a position statement
about truth based on the tragedy, Oedipus Rex or provide a position statement on whether or not Of Mice
and Men or Harold and Maude is a tragedy. The brainstorming was intended to get you thinking about some
of the stories that we have been dealing with and the idea of tragedy. Be as creative as you can be. Other
possibilities include but are not limited to looking at specific elements of tragedy and make a position
statement about a particular character in a particular story or considering the idea of the tragic flaw or
tragic irony in a particular story. For example, we know where the tragic irony is in Oedipus Rex, but what
about Harold and Maude or Of Mice and Men? Does it exist in those stories?
Remember, if you think that this is going to be difficult for you, include your supporting points in
the same sentence with your position statement. If you think that this assignment is going to be easy for
you, however, then write the position statement in one sentence and follow it up with individual sentences
that provide your supporting points.
Writing a solid thesis statement is not easy. It can be extremely hard. You usually must write
many drafts of the thesis statement to really do it well. I am not asking for a lot of writing, but you will
need to devote some time to this.
If you have problems or want me to take a look at a working draft before this is due, make
an appointment with me.
What must the paper include?
1) No more than two pages of writing (10 or 12 point font)—double-spaced, spell checked.
2) A creative title
3) Your Name, your period number and the date
4) A strong thesis statement and supporting points in the introduction and conclusion
5) A body paragraph for each supporting point with a topic sentence that clearly shares that supporting
point
6) Transitions between paragraphs
This assignment is due on Friday (1 December) at the beginning of class.
That gives you three nights and two days to finish this. Again, I will not accept computer and printer
excuses. I do not want to hear those excuses; I do not want to see notes from your parents explaining
computer problems. This is due at the beginning of class. You may not “just run off to the lab to print
this in the beginning of class.” If it is not in my hand at the beginning of class, it is late. You know the
late policy. If you have troubles, come see me on Wednesday, the latest Thursday. If you wait until Friday
morning to write this or print it out, you are playing with fire, and I think that you know that.
Grading Rubric:
Stupendous (A Range)
 Student followed all of the directions on the assignment sheet exactly
 In the Introduction and Conclusion:
-Student has provided a thesis statement that is strong, clear, specific, and assertive of a point
-Student has provided strong supporting points
 Student has provided body paragraphs and strong topic sentences for each main supporting point
 Transitions fluidly transport the reader from point to point
Good Work (B Range)
 Student followed most of the directions on the assignment sheet
 In the Introduction and Conclusion:
-Student has provided a thesis statement that is somewhat strong, clear, specific, and assertive of a
point
-Student has provided supporting points
 Student has provided body paragraphs and topic sentences for each main supporting point
 Some transitions exist to take the reader from point to point
Okay (C Range)
 Student followed most of the directions on the assignment sheet
 In the Introduction and Conclusion:
-Student has provided a solid attempt at a thesis statement
-Student has provided a solid attempt at giving supporting points
 Student has provided body paragraphs for each main supporting point
 There has been an attempt to provide some transitions
Not Great (D Range and Lower)
 Student did not follow directions on the assignment sheet well or at all
 In the Introduction and Conclusion:
-Student largely or completely lacks a thesis statement
-Student has provided poor or no supporting points
 Student has provided poor or no body paragraphs for each main supporting point
 There are no transitions used