English 4: period 4
Performance Task: Unit 2—Gender Roles
Topic #1: Gender Bias
Writing Situation:
The literature from Unit 2 in the Collections textbook focuses on gender roles through a variety of viewpoints
and genres as well as from a range of cultures and time periods. In “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” a knight goes on
a year-long quest to find out what women most desire in life. He is not able to find an answer to that question on
his own. What does this reveal about a man’s ability to understand a woman’s perspective?
Writing Prompt:
Do people of the opposite gender understand each other? Write an informative essay in which you discuss what
the literature in Unit 2 reveals about our ability to understand people of the opposite gender. How does gender
bias affect how men and women perceive each other in the literature? Does our inclination to make
generalizations about the opposite sex prevent us from understanding each other? Use and cite from at least
FOUR of the pieces we read in Unit 2 of the Collections textbook to support your ideas.
Topic #2: Gender Role “Eureka!” Moments
Writing Situation:
“Eureka!” This exclamation literally means, “I have found it!” in Greek, and is often used to describe the
excited feelings associated with a moment of discovery. As you were reading about gender roles in the literature
from Unit 2 in the Collections textbook, were there moments where you learned something powerful and new
that you had never considered before? Did you have a “Eureka!” moment?
Writing Prompt:
Describe the “Eureka!” moments that you experienced in any FOUR of the pieces we read in Unit 2 of the
Collections textbook. What did you learn from each piece about gender roles, stereotypes, or gender
expectations? Cite evidence from the literature to support your answer, and be sure to explore the roles of both
men and women in your response. Next, explain why this information was so relevant or important to your life.
How did this unit help build your understanding of people of the opposite gender, or your same gender? You
may provide anecdotes (personal stories) to support your responses.
Topic #3: Evolution of Gender Roles?
Writing Situation:
We have spent the last several weeks discussing gender roles. In this unit, we have read both fiction and nonfiction texts that explore what it means to be a man and a woman. Some of these texts present a progressive
view of gender: They show that ideas about gender roles are changing for the better. Some texts show the
oppressive nature of gender roles, presenting the view that gender roles have changed very little through the
centuries. Now you will have the opportunity to discuss these texts through the lens of your personal
experience.
Topic #3: Evolution of Gender Roles?
Writing Prompt:
Have expectations and beliefs about gender roles changed? In a well-developed argumentative essay, present
your perspective on gender roles in the 21st century. Analyze and explain the gender roles and expectations
presented in at least FOUR of the pieces we read in Unit 2 of the Collections textbook. Next, discuss how these
gender roles have (or have not) evolved or changed from traditional beliefs. Make connections between your
personal experiences with gender roles and the themes/arguments presented in our text. Use anecdotes and/or a
narrative to present a personal experience with the issue.
Sources to Choose From:
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“The Wife of Bath’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: fiction / narrative poem
“Mallam Sile” by Mohammad Naseehu Ali: fiction / short story
“My Father’s Sadness” by Shirley Geok-lin Lim: non-fiction / poem
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft: non-fiction / book excerpt
“In a Scattered Protest, Saudi Women Take the Wheel” by Neil MacFarquhar and Dina Salah Amer:
non-fiction / newspaper article
“Saudi Women Defy Driving Ban” non-fiction / video news report
“The Men We Carry in Our Minds” by Scott Russel Sanders: non-fiction / essay
Pink Think by Lynn Peril: non-fiction / book excerpt
“When Their Workday Ends, More Fathers Are Heading Into the Kitchen” by Rachel L. Swarns: nonfiction / newspaper article
“A Boy Named Sue” by Shel Silverstein: fiction / poem
Miss Representation: non-fiction / documentary film
Due Dates:
The Pre-Writing Packet is due on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 and is worth 50 points.
Draft #1 is due on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 02 and is worth 100 points.
The FINAL DRAFT is due on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 08 and is worth 200 points.
Requirements:
Draft #1 AND the FINAL draft of your performance task essay must:
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Be MLA formatted.
Be a MINIMUM of FOUR pages, typed.
Use parenthetical documentation (MLA citations) to cite the sources of your information.
Contain a Works Cited page with a MINIMUM of FOUR sources.
Be submitted to turnitin.com
Include BOTH a printed copy of your essay AND a printed copy of the Originality Report from
turnitin.com.
 Any late papers MUST be turned in by FRIDAY of the same week when the paper was due; the paper
will receive 90% credit. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER FRIDAY OF THE
WEEK THE PAPER IS DUE.