English IV and AP Literature and Composition
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry - Drama
A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes - Poetry
Research Paper - Civil Rights
1. Essential Question: What would it be like to be discriminated against or not to be
allowed to follow a dream? To what length would a person go to be able to live his
dream?
2. The Hook: Student will write a paragraph about their life goal(s). Then will be asked
to think about how they would feel if they were told they could not accomplish this or
these dreams due to their appearance or social status. Read poem. Discuss what can
happen to a person who is not allowed to live his dream
3.The Background Information: Give background on A Raisin in the Sun and its author Written by an African-American playwright that presented a radically new representation
of black life, one that was authentic and unsentimental and unflinching in its telling of
what happens when people are told they cannot live their dream.
The play is based on the poem A Dream Deferred written by African-American poet
Langston Hughes. Will give brief biographical information. (Trivia - Raised by
grandmother whose first husband was killed while fighting with John Brown)
4. Knowledge Building: While reading play ask leading questions so student
will understand the actions of the characters - why they act and react the way they do.
Keep referring back to the poem.
5. Product Planning: Paragraph writing . Choose one of the main characters and relate
their actions and reactions to what Langston Hughes asks in the poem “What
happens to a raisin in the sun. What was the characterʼs dream? Did the character
dry up or explode?
Paragraph Rubric:
Name: ________________________
Teacher:
Date Submitted: ____________
Title of Work: ___________________
Criteria
Points
4 = A; 3 = B; 2 = C; 1 = D
Main/Topic Idea Sentence
Main/Topic idea sentence is clear, correctly placed, and is restated in the closing sentence. __
Main/Topic idea sentence is either unclear or incorrectly placed, and is restated in the closing sentence__
Main/Topic idea sentence is unclear and incorrectly placed, and is restated in the closing sentence.__
Main/Topic idea sentence is unclear and incorrectly placed, and is not restated in the closing sentence.__
____
Supporting Detail Sentence(s)
Paragraph(s) have three or more supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea.__
Paragraph(s) have two supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea.__
Paragraph(s) have one supporting detail sentence that relate back to the main idea.__
Paragraph(s) have no supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea.__
____
Elaborating Detail Sentence(s)
Each supporting detail sentence has three or more elaborating detail sentences.__
Each supporting detail sentence has at least two elaborating detail sentences.__
Each supporting detail sentence has one elaborating detail sentence.__
Each supporting detail sentence has no elaborating detail sentence.__
____
Legibility
Legible handwriting, typing, or printing.__
Marginally legible handwriting, typing, or printing.__
Writing is not legible in places.__
Writing is not legible.__
____
Mechanics and Grammar
Paragraph has no errors in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.__
Paragraph has one or two punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors.__
Paragraph has three to five punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors.__
Paragraph has six or more punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors.__
MLA Documentation
Parenthetical Documentation has no errors __
Parenthetical Documentation has one or two errors__
Parenthetical Documentation has three to five errors.__
Parenthetical Documentation has six or more errors. __
Work Cited in correct MLA format.__
Work Cited has one or two errors.__
Work Cited has three to five errors.__
Work Cited has six or more errors.__
____
Total---->
Teacher Comments:
______/28
Research Paper: From a list of topics, the student will write a research paper
following MLA format.
6. Product Evaluation:
Research Paper Rubric
Student Name: __________________________ Teacher Name: __________________________
Yes Test: You must receive all “yeses” for your paper to be scored. Any “no” will stop the process.
Yes
No
Basic Requirement
1. Paper typed
2. Thesis clearly stated in intro and referenced in the conclusion
3. Correct documentation style used in text
4. Citing evident
5. Minimum 8 sources (and a variety of types)
6. Works Cited/Bibliography or References accurate and correctly formatted
7. Paper written in 3rd person; content not personal essay but non-biased research
8. Paper meets minimum length standard (7-10 pages, excluding title and Works Cited/
Bibliography or References)
9. Evidence of consistent and conscientious editing
4—Clearly a knowledgeable, practiced, skilled pattern
3—Evidence of a developing pattern
2—Superficial, random, limited consistencies
1—Unacceptable skill application
Use of Sources
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
4
3
2
1
Researched information appropriately documented
Enough outside information to clearly represent a research process
Demonstrates use of paraphrasing, direct, and indirect quotations
Information connects to the thesis
Sources on Works Cited/Bibliography or References accurately match sources
cited within the text
_______/20
Content/Organization
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
Introduction engaging and clearly defines thesis
Thesis is challenging and focused
Content connecting to thesis is clarifying, exploring, explaining, developing
Text organization flows sensibly and smoothly
Mixture of personal voice interwoven with research (commentary)
Conclusion thoughtful, engaging, and clear
4
3
2
1
_______/24
Mechanics/Usage/Spelling/Format
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
4
3
2
1
Pagination (top right following last name)
12 point Times New Roman font and appropriate margins
Usage/Grammar
Correct paragraphing
Written in formal style
_______/20
Information Literacy
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
4
3
2
1
Consistent Format (MLA or APA)
Evidence of thorough research (sources represent variety and types)
Documentation demonstrates conscientious application of citing ethics
Evidence of sorting and selecting appropriate material
Evidence of importance of author’s credibility and validity
Research offers non-biased, fair research perspective from which a conclusion is
drawn
Research information goes beyond surface information
Comments on back.
________/28
Total Score: ________/92 Total Percentage: _________%
7. Lesson Wrap Up: Students will share one thing learned from the research and how this one thing related to
either the Play or the poem.