Name: ___________________________________________
Date: __________________
Block: ________
“The Monkey’s Paw” Literary Analysis
Language & Literature 8
Prompt:
Describe in a literary analysis how W.W. Jacobs creates suspense and horror throughout the
characters, setting, and/or plot of “The Monkey’s Paw.”
Assignment:
Write a FOUR-paragraph literary analysis answering the prompt above. Your essay should
follow this organizational structure:
INTRODUCTION:



Hook
Short Summary and Context
Thesis/Claim
BODY PARAGRAPH 1:




Topic Sentence
Observations
Insight
Closing Sentence
BODY PARAGRAPH 2:




Topic Sentence
Observations
Insight
Closing Sentence
CONCLUSION:



Review of Thesis/Claim
Brief Review of Points in Body Paragraphs
Concluding Sentence
*If you would like to challenge yourself by completing a five-paragraph essay, please see
Mrs. Drum to get a five-page packet. Students who complete a five-paragraph essay are
more likely to earn a 7 or 8 on the Analyzing rubric.
Introduction Paragraph
(First Paragraph of Essay)
Hook:
(general statement that relates to the world and grabs the reader’s attention)
Short Summary:
(brief background information about the story and sets
up the context for your thesis/claim)
Thesis/Claim:
(a firm statement that announces your argument)
In “The Monkey’s Paw,” suspense is created through a(n) _____________________ plot,
(adjective)
a(n) _____________________ character, and a(n) _____________________ setting.
(adjective)
(adjective)
Body Paragraph #1
(Second Paragraph of Essay)
Topic Sentence:
(Introduce the first part of your thesis.)
________________,
(Transitional phrase)
Observation:
(textual
evidence that supports your thesis)
Insight:
Lead in: _____________________________
Insight #1 (Explain the evidence in your own words.):
(Give YOUR
explanation for the textual evidence.)
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Observation: ________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
_______________________ (Jacobs ________).
Closing Sentence:
________________,
(Transitional phrase)
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Insight #2 (Explain how the quote relates to thesis.):
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
(Make a final statement to support your thesis using this point.)
Body Paragraph #2
(Third Paragraph of Essay)
Topic Sentence:
(Introduce the second part of your thesis.)
________________,
(Transitional phrase)
Observation:
(textual
evidence that supports your thesis)
Insight:
Lead in: _____________________________
Insight #1 (Explain the evidence in your own words.):
(Give YOUR
explanation for the textual evidence.)
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Observation: ________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
_______________________ (Jacobs ________).
Closing Sentence:
________________,
(Transitional phrase)
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Insight #2 (Explain how the quote relates to thesis.):
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
(Make a final statement to support your thesis using this point.)
Conclusion Paragraph
(Fifth Paragraph of Essay)
Review thesis:
(Restate your thesis using different words.)
Brief Review of Points:
(Summarize the three major points
made in your body paragraphs.)
Concluding Sentence:
(This sentence should relate the points you
made in your body paragraphs to the rest of the world.)
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Block: ______________
Criterion A: Analyzing
IB-MYP Rubric
“The Monkey’s Paw” Literary Analysis
Sophisticated
Achievement Level: 8-7
(“A” Range)
You

Include a clear and concise
plot summary in the
introduction.

Support your argument with
illustrative
observations/evidence. (You
seamlessly incorporate 1
well-chosen piece of textual
evidence per body
paragraph.)

Give extensive and detailed
insight that perceptively
connects the literary element
with the author’s creation of
suspense and horror.

Perceptively connect the
essay to the rest of the world
in your concluding sentence.
Competent
Achievement Level: 6-5
(“B” Range)
You

Include a clear and concise
plot summary in the
introduction.

Support your argument with
competent
observations/evidence. (You
sufficiently incorporate 1
competently-chosen piece of
textual evidence per body
paragraph.)

Give competent insight that
sufficiently connects the
literary element with the
author’s creation of suspense
and horror.

Sufficiently connect the essay
to the rest of the world in your
concluding sentence.
Adequate
Achievement Level: 4-3
(“C” Range)
You

Include an adequate plot
summary in the introduction.

Support your argument with
adequate observations/
evidence. (You attempt to
incorporate 1 adequatelychosen piece of textual
evidence per body paragraph.)

Give some insight that
attempts to connect the
literary element with the
author’s creation of suspense
and horror.

Somewhat connect the essay to
the rest of the world in your
concluding sentence.
Minimal
Achievement Level: 2-1
(“D” Range)
You

Include an insufficient plot
summary in the introduction.

Support your argument with
minimal observations
/evidence. (You minimally
attempt to incorporate 1
insufficient piece of textual
evidence per body paragraph.)

Give little or no insight that
rarely attempts to connect the
literary element with the
author’s creation of suspense
and horror.

Minimally or do not connect
the essay to the rest of the
world in your concluding
sentence.
40
34
30
26
38
36
Criterion D: Using
Language
You
32
You


Use effective grammar
and punctuation skills with
very few errors.
Effectively uses correct
vocabulary and sentence
structure.
5
OVERALL SCORE ________/50
Teacher comments:
28
You


Use significant grammar
and punctuation skills with
few errors.
Proficiently uses correct
vocabulary and sentence
structure.
4
24
You


Use adequate grammar
and punctuation skills with
many errors.
Adequately uses correct
vocabulary and sentence
structure.
3.5
Student reflection:


Use limited grammar and
punctuation skills with
several errors.
Insufficiently use correct
vocabulary and sentence
structure.
3
Your essay…
Is in MLA format
with 1” margins,
proper
headings, and
citations.
______ YES
(5 points)
______NO
(0 points)