Essay 2: A Reflection on Sydney Carton in Book
II of A Tale of Two Cities
English 9(1)
Due: April 15, 2011*
*Bonus points for handing it in early
Prompt
What kind of a person is Sydney Carton? In your answer, refer to specific pages of the
novel. What is Carton’s opinion about himself? What negative traits does he possess?
What positive ones? How does he exhibit these traits? Why does he seem to be such
an outsider? Does the reader’s opinion of Carton change during this section? If so,
what actions cause this change? Create a thesis statement that makes a claim about
Carton's character. Find evidence in the text that offers clues to Carton’s character.
For specific guidelines, see next page.
Brainstorm
Write down words and phrases that reveal important elements about Carton. Be sure
to write down specific page numbers for your evidence so that you may refer back to
the text (Hint: Here are some chapters where we get to see Carton: 2.3, 2.4 2.5, 2.11, 2.13)
Word
Quote(s)
Page #
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft an
effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction, transition
sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Specific Guidelines and Recommendations
With your final copy of your essay, include a reflection. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of your
essay. It helps give us insight into what you were thinking when you wrote the essay. Make sure you address the
following questions:
1) What did you struggle with while writing this essay? Explain how you overcame those challenges or did
you?
2) What did you do well?
3) What do you think you need to work on in order to become a better writer? Write down two to three
things that you would like to focus on for your next essay.
4) Look at the rubric. What grade do you think you deserve and why?
Your reflection should be at least seven sentences.
For this paper, you are required to incorporate direct quotations from the text, using MLA format. You must
accurately and smoothly incorporate at least one quotation per paragraph. Here are some tips and examples
about smoothly incorporating quotations into your writing.
1.
Lead in to the quotation.
Example #1: Stryver's arrogance is illustrated when he discusses Lucy accepting his proposal, boasting,
“she will have in me a man already pretty well off, and a rapidly rising man, and a man of some
distinction… it is a piece of good fortune for her”(144
Example #2: Lucie's demonstrates her genuine and empathetic nature, saying to her husband that "'poor
Mr. Carton deserves more consideration and respect than you expressed for him tonight'" (208).
2.
Include the page number in which the quotation is found at the end of the sentence. Follow the format
in the examples.
For Example: "'How goes it, Jacques?'" (211).
"It was dark when Charles Darnay left him" (125).
3.
Adequately and completely explain the quotation that you use.
Example #3: In Book 2 Chapter 7, Dickens writes "so polite and so impressible was Monseigneur, that
the Comedy and the Grand Opera had far more influence with him in the tiresome articles of state affairs
and state secrets, than the needs of all France" (110). This description exemplifies the Monseigneur's
interest in personal pleasure and his apathy toward the people in his charge.
Here is a sample line that encompasses all of the characteristics that your quotation needs to contain:
Stryver is a comical character, known for his arrogance and high opinion of himself, which is
demonstrated when he says to Sydney Carton that he is, "a man already pretty well off, and a rapidly rising
man, and a man of some distinction… it is a good piece of good fortune of her" (144). In this statement, Stryver
expresses his belief that he would be an excellent husband for any woman because of his high social standing.
Ironically, no one else in the novel shares this high opinion of Stryver.
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft an
effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction, transition
sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Essay Organizer
Joseph Case High School
Name: ___________________________________________________
Directions: Use this worksheet to help organize your paper. Hook your reader with an
interesting fact, quote, or statistic about your topic. Then, provide any background
information that is necessary for your paper. Build up to your thesis, showcasing three pieces
of evidence that support your thesis. These reasons should be clear and valid that would
convince the readers that the thesis is true. Next, write your thesis.
Original Paper Title_____________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Hook: ___________________________________________________________
Background Information:
_________________________________________________________________
Three pieces of supporting evidence:
Body 1. _____________________________________________________
Body 2: _____________________________________________________
Body 3: _____________________________________________________
Thesis (what you will prove) :
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft
an effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction,
transition sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Directions: Discuss your first piece of supporting evidence. Provide details to support the evidence
i.e. FRIES and DQE.
FRIES= Facts, Reasons, Incidents, Examples, Statistics DQE= Directly Quoted Evidence
BODY #1
Evidence #1 _________________________________________________________
Detail 1: _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence # 1:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Detail 2: ___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence # 1:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Detail 3:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence #1:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Transition Sentence:__________________________________________________
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft
an effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction,
transition sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
BODY #2
Evidence #2 _________________________________________________________
Detail 1:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence #2:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Detail 2:
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence # 2:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Detail 3:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence #2:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Transition Sentence: _______________________________________________
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft
an effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction,
transition sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
BODY # 3
Evidence #3 _________________________________________________________
Detail 1:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence #3:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Detail 2:
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence #3:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Detail 3:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Explain how it supports evidence #3:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Transition Sentence: __________________________________________________
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft
an effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction,
transition sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Directions: The conclusion is where you restate your thesis, summarize your evidence, and
close with something powerful.
CONCLUSION
Rephrase Thesis:_____________________________________________________
Summarize your evidence:
1 ___________________________________________________________
2 ___________________________________________________________
3 ___________________________________________________________
Extend, go beyond, larger meaning:
_____________________________________________________________________
Reminder: Make sure as you collect FRIES and DQE for your paper that you write down
your sources and page numbers. Use Owl Purdue for proper in-text citations and works cited
page. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
MLA Heading Format
First Name Last Name
Teacher Name
Class Name
Date
Example
21st Century Learning Expectations: Students will work collectively and independently to problem solve.
Core Value: Higher order thinking skills.
Essential Question: How does the organization of an essay affect the reader’s understanding and help the writer craft
an effective piece of writing, which clearly communicates his or her ideas?
Standard 23.10: Organize information into a coherent essay or report with a thesis statement in the introduction,
transition sentences to link paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Organization
Content &
Analysis
Mechanics
The essay is organized logically,
with the thesis as the last sentence
of the intro, three body
paragraphs in a logical order, and
conclusion last. The paragraphs
do not veer from the topic
argument. The writing is
organized so that ideas connect
fluidly and sensibly. All quotes
are integrated and cited. (40)
The thesis is clear, definitive, and
communicates a sophisticated,
layered argument. Writer has
described, analyzed, and
interpreted the text in a
sophisticated manner. The support
develops the ideas, using
appropriate quotes from the play.
All evidence is sandwiched by
claims and explanations. (35)
Essay is well focused and
arranged with minor
deviations. Some minor gaps
in logic or disordering.
Transitions and sentence
variation are used but could
be more sophisticated. Quotes
could be integrated more
fluidly. (35)
The essay has a basic structure;
however, there may be some
illogical ordering or some details
may not fit claims clearly.
Paragraphs are focused on proving
an analysis or description is fitting,
Writing is choppy. Quotes are
“dropped”. Claims, quotes, and
explanations do not always match.
(30)
The thesis is clear and
The thesis does not clearly define
addresses the prompt, though the essay’s focus or adequately
the stance could be more
address the stance. Writer has
defined. Thesis avoids vague given factual or missing claims
language, and it is appropriate and vague details or analysis is not
to the entire essay. The quotes thought provoking. Details are
adequately develop this
somewhat irrelevant to the overall
stance, though could be
idea or might be underdeveloped
stronger. Analysis could be
or require some more explanation.
more thoughtful or specific. Intro or conclusion is
Claims are strong but could
underdeveloped. (29)
be more defined. Conclusion
may just summarize. (32)
Organization is difficult to
discern. The ideas and
descriptions do not work
together as a unified
whole or parts are
missing. Paragraphs lack
focuses and are
underdeveloped.
Transitions are
awkward/missing. (25)
The thesis lacks a stance
on the issue or is too
vague/broad. It might
occur at the end or middle
of the essay. The support
merely summarizes,
listing factual details
without analysis, or
support is missing. Claims
or analysis are missing or
an entire paragraph is
missing. (26)
The writer has
failed to establish a
logical structure,
and there is no
discernible
organization. (20)
There are little to no grammatical
mistakes and informal or slang
language, such as the use of 1st or
2nd person or contractions. The
writer has used academic
language and tone. The
assignment is in the correct MLA
format. There are few to no
spelling and punctuation errors.
The Scripture passage is
appropriately cited. (25)
There are few grammatical
mistakes and informal or
slang language, such as the
use of 1st or 2nd person or
contractions. Some RIP. The
writer has used academic
language and tone with some
minor lapses. The assignment
is in the correct MLA format
with some errors. Few
spelling and punctuation
errors. (22)
There are frequent
grammatical mistakes and
informal or slang
language, such as the use
of 1st or 2nd person or
contractions. Informal
language, RIP, or slang
are frequent. The writing
is vague. MLA format is
incorrect or some citations
missing. There are
frequent spelling and
punctuation errors. (16)
The writer has
failed to
communicate the
topic clearly. The
assignment is not
formatted. No
citation information
available. (13)
There are some grammatical
mistakes and informal or slang
language, such as the use of 1st or
2nd person or contractions. The
writer has used some informal
language, clichés, or slang. The
writing is vague. MLA format has
lapses, for example or citing or
spacing is incorrect. There are
several spelling and punctuation
errors. (19)
Name________________________________________ Score___________________
Comments
There is no
discernible stance
or thesis. Writer has
failed to address the
topic issue. (23)