Name_______________________________
Period__________________
“Barrio Boy” and “A Day’s Wait” Timed Writing Quiz
(30 Points Quiz Grade)
Prompt: Using Barrio Boy and “A Day’s Wait,” write a brief essay in
which you compare and contrast the two narrators.
Questions that may help you: (These are not the prompt! These are only suggestions to help
you begin your thinking!)
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
Which work includes more personal details about the narrator?
Do the narrator’s thoughts and actions build toward a specific them or insight?
Why are why not?
Which narrator is central to the narrative’s action?
For this assignment, you will have ONE class period to compare and contrast Ernesto from
Barrio Boy and the young boy from “A Day’s Wait.” What is similar about these two characters?
What is different?
You will be writing a THREE paragraph essay. It needs to have:



An introduction
One paragraph about their
similarities and differences
A conclusion
(Paragraph one)
(Paragraph two)
(Paragraph three)
You will be able to use your graphic organizer and your book on this assignment. Remember to
support your ideas with text evidence! Prepare BEFORE the timed writing day! There will not
be enough time to find evidence and write your essay in 44 minutes.
Rubric:
___________ 5 Points Introduction: Introduction restates the prompt. Introduction introduces
main points for the essay.
__________ 15 Points Body Paragraph: Body paragraph has 2 similarities and 2 differences.
Body paragraph begins with a topic sentence. Body paragraph ends with a concluding sentence.
The paragraph remains on topic and answers the prompt.
__________ 5 Points Conclusion: Conclusion begins with a transition. Conclusion restates
prompt and main points from body paragraph.
__________ 5 Points Conventions: Spelling, Punctuation, Capitalization, Complete Sentences.
Total ___________________/30