Mrs. Hume - 10th English
Final Essay Response: Things Fall Apart & African Literature
3 to 4 pages (900 to 1200 words)
The African traits and ethnic identity surrounding the African is explored in both Chinua Achebe's book Things Fall
Apart and the short stories and poetry from Africa. For this essay, examine an African short story or poem PLUS the
novel Things Fall Apart and in doing so, integrate a close examination of the following question in a clear, thesisdriven essay argument on the nature of African traits and the ethnic identity present in African literature.
Essay Question: Define the African traits and ethnic identity evidenced in Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart
PLUS an African poem and/or short story. Look closely at capturing WHAT you feel the African author(s)
are saying about their own culture and ethnic identity. YOU MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE POEM,
SHORT STORY OR FABLE IN YOUR ESSAY ARGUMENT. ARGUE 3 TRAITS TOTAL IN YOUR PAPER
WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO EXAMPLES FOR EACH TRAIT.
Topics to explore for potential traits/points: tribal status; tribal community; gender roles; influence of religion;
influence of white colonization; tribal justice system; other topics to explore?
Follow these steps to complete your essay:
1st Step:
Go through Things Fall Apart and analyze 2-3 scenes in the novel that reveal a particular trait or
belief. Be able to explain what this trait or belief is. Make note of examples that support this trait.
Sample
Trait:
The Ibo elders demonstrated a patient and reserved attitude towards the white settlers, proving
the Africans to be tolerant and long-suffering.
Evidence:
Scene with Okeke and the Mr. Smith, the Missionary (pgs. 190-191)
Scene between Akunna & Mr. Brown re: the role of the gods (pgs. 179-182)
2nd Step:
Review the African poems or short stories and summarize any particular traits or beliefs examined in
the literature.
Sample
Trait:
Africans fear losing their identity to the white presence and preoccupation with African
culture.
Evidence:
Poem “Losing a Language” by W.S. Merwin and “many of the things the words were about no
longer exist.” (lines 5-6). “When there is a voice at the door it is foreign everywhere/instead of
a name there is a lie.” (lines 21-22)
3rd Step:
From the traits you’ve identified in Steps 1 & 2, decide on 3 traits or beliefs and create an arguable
topic sentence for each trait. Fill out the outline worksheet with your 3 topic sentences. Add AT
LEAST two pieces of evidence for each trait and analyze each piece of evidence to support this trait
in the topic sentence.
4th Step:
Formulate a thesis based on these 3 main topic sentences. Put at the bottom of the outline worksheet.
5th Step:
Using your outline worksheet, write your essay argument using proper format and begin with:
a) a thesis paragraph with a hook that introduces the topic plus the main points of your
arguments (at least 3 points in your paper)
b) an arguable topic sentence for each main point analyzing AT LEAST two pieces of evidence to
support your thesis position for each trait.. (continue with as many middle paragraphs to argue your
three main points)
c) a final conclusion or paragraph that states what you learned examining the nature of
African culture and ethnic identity in African literature.
d) Type up a “Work Cited” page once you finalize your sources used in your paper.
Final Assessment will be based on an arguable thesis with AT LEAST 3 arguable sub points, insightful analysis and
accurate and sufficient evidence to support thesis, and an insightful conclusion. Make sure to use proper format for
spelling, spacing (double-spaced, initial line indent) and sentence structure/syntax and a works cited page. (see rubric)
Ms. Ms. Hume - 10th English
Things Fall Apart Final Essay Exam
Extraordinary
Very Good
Criteria
(20)
(19-18)
Thesis
Good
(17-16)
Engaging hook
Hook stated with Weak hook with
with clear,
clear thesis, with
thesis; some
arguable thesis
arguable sub
arguable sub
with insightful sub points. Less
points; less
points displaying thought provoking. arguable &
deep knowledge &
original on other
insight of topic.
points.
Weak
(15-14)
Thesis is stated,
but not clearly; sub
points show some
lack of insight to
the question. Not
arguable.
Not Passing
(13 or below)
Thesis is not
stated; sub points
do not support
question or lack
relevance to the
topic.
Idea
Development
(40)
All of the Sub
points are fully
developed with
original, opiniondriven topic
sentences with
deep connections
and inference to all
the texts
referenced.
(39-36)
All of the sub
points are
developed with
arguable topic
sentences; opiniondriven; ideas are
logical, insightful
to main point(s)
and use inference
frequently.
(35-31)
Most of the sub
points are fully
developed with
less opinion-driven
arguments. Less
use of logical and
appropriate
examples; less
inference on texts.
(30-26)
Some of the sub
points are
developed. Ideas
are sufficient but
show gaps in
understanding and
knowledge of text.
Little to no use of
inference. Mainly
text summary.
(25 or below)
Ideas are not clear,
weak reference to
text and may
contain inaccurate
or irrelevant
information. Weak
use of inference.
Relies on text
summary.
Conclusion
(10)
Original, thoughtprovoking
reflection; makes
connections to
other concepts or
content areas
outside of texts.
(10)
Sophisticated use
of a variety of
sentence
structures; accurate
grammar & syntax.
Error free.
(9)
Original, and
insightful
reflection; less
connections to
concepts outside of
the texts;
(8)
Less thoughtprovoking
reflection; some
insights but mainly
summary of thesis.
(7)
Re-states thesis in
conclusion; little to
no insight or
resolution on the
main topic in the
essay.
(6 or below)
Lacks any
conclusion; no
resolution or
reflection at the
end.
(9)
Accurate use of
sentence
structures; less
variety; accurate
grammar and
syntax. Error free.
(8)
Some variety of
sentence
structures;
occasional
grammar/syntax
errors.
(7)
Little to no variety
of sentence
structures; frequent
grammar/syntax
errors.
Word Usage:
Sentence
Variety
Syntax
Grammar
Structures:
Punctuation,
spelling,
spacing,
indentation.
MLA format
Parenthetical
& Works
Cited
(6 or below)
Below grade level
sentence
structures;
inaccurate use of
grammar and
syntax. Weak
word usage.
(10)
(9)
(8)
(7)
(6 or below)
Accurate and error Accurate with 1 or Less accurate with Inaccurate with
Below grade level
free use of
2 errors total in
frequent errors in frequent errors in proficiency in all
punctuation,
punctuation,
punctuation,
punctuation,
three categories;
spelling and
spelling and/or
spelling and/or
spelling and/or
punctuation,
spacing.
spacing.
spacing.
spacing.
spelling and
spacing.
(10)
(9)
(8)
(7)
(6 or below)
Accurate use of
Accurate use of
Less accurate use Inaccurate use of Does not have a
BOTH
parenthetical &
of parenthetical & parenthetical &
works cited or use
parenthetical &
works cited. Uses works cited.
works cited. Many parentheticals.
works cited. Uses at least 2 sources
Inaccurate use of 1 format errors for
Use of sources
2 or 3 outside
accurately.
or more sources.
both.
unclear.
references
accurately.
Total Points Earned: ________/100
Ms. Hume - 10th English
Final Essay on African Literature
OUTLINE WORKSHEET
To get to an arguable thesis for the following question, complete Steps 1 & 2 on the prompt, reviewing
the literature and finding three traits or beliefs to explain African ethnic identity; then, fill out the
worksheet below with your arguable sub-points and then draft a thesis at the end of the worksheet.
Essay Question: Define the African culture and ethnic identity evidenced in Achebe’s novel
Things Fall Apart PLUS an African short story, poem and/or folktale/fable. Look closely at
capturing WHAT you feel the African author(s) are saying about their own culture and ethnic
identity.
STEP 3: List your main, arguable topic sentences (sub-points) regarding the African ethnic identity
1ST TOPIC SENTENCE:
(make sure it is arguable)
2 PIECES OF EVIDENCE:(summarize scenes or
list actual quotes from TFA, poem,
short story or fable)
ANALYSIS STATEMENTS:
(should explain the topic sentence)
2ND TOPIC SENTENCE:
(make sure it is arguable)
2 PIECES OF EVIDENCE: (summarize scenes
or list actual quotes from TFA, poem
short story or fable)
ANALYSIS STATEMENTS:
(should explain the topic sentence)
3RD TOPIC SENTENCE:
(make sure it is arguable)
2 PIECES OF EVIDENCE:(summarize scenes
or list actual quotes from TFA, poem,
short story or fable)
ANALYSIS STATEMENTS:
(should explain the topic sentence)
FINAL THESIS:
(combine main ideas of all 3 topic sentences)
SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR AFRICAN LIT PAPER
THESIS PARAGRAPH: Begin with hook + thesis statement that will introduce your three traits from
your first outline.
1ST T.S.
The African demonstrated a patient and reserved attitude towards the white culture, proving the
Africans to be tolerant and long-suffering.
EVIDENCE:
Scene with Okeke and Mr. Smith, the Missionary “You can stay with us if you like our
ways. You can worship your own god. It is good that a man should worship the gods
and spirits of his fathers. Our anger is great but we have held it down so that we can talk to you.”
(Achebe 190-191).
ANALYSIS:
This quote proves that the Ibo elders were willing to live along side of the whites but not
impose their beliefs on the whites like the whites chose to do on the Ibo tribe.
EVIDENCE:
Scene between Chief Mshlanga & the white girl’s father over the reparation for the
damage caused by the Chief’s goats. “I’m not going to argue about it. I am keeping the goats....That
means my people will go hungry when the dry season comes...He walked off into the bush and we
did not see him again.” (Lessing 318).
ANALYSIS:
This scene proves Chief Mshlanga’s disgust at the white farmers demands but also his
tolerance not to fight this battle knowing that he will lose. He shows perseverance to
survive the most unfair treatment by the white farmer.
2ND T.S.
Continue with another arguable trait
EVIDENCE:
List the actual excerpts from TFA
ANALYSIS:
Write out an “analysis” statement that proves/explains the trait you are arguing in your topic
sentence.
EVIDENCE:
List the actual excerpts from another literary source (poem, short story, fable)
ANALYSIS:
Write out an “analysis” statement that proves/explains the trait you are arguing in your topic
sentence.
3ND T.S.
Continue with another arguable trait
EVIDENCE:
List the actual excerpts from TFA
ANALYSIS:
Write out an “analysis” statement that proves/explains the trait you are arguing in your topic
sentence.
EVIDENCE:
List the actual excerpts from another literary source (poem, short story, fable)
ANALYSIS:
Write out an “analysis” statement that proves/explains the trait you are arguing in your topic
sentence.
CONCLUSION: End with your final reflections on what you learned writing this essay. Avoid restating your thesis
directly. Come up with a way to bring closoure that shares either an essential question or reflection
on the traits and how these traits relate to your life outside of the texts.