Name _________________________________Period/Date _____________
English 10 World Literature
Unit 1 Essay 40 points
Semester One
Purposes of Storytelling
You will be graded based on the PA State Writing Rubric (found on the back of this assignment sheet) in the areas of focus,
content, organization, style, and conventions.
The essay must be typed, using proper MLA formatting and headings.
Your essay must contain at least one quote per paragraph from one of the stories mentioned in your response.
To assist you in creating a well-developed essay, don’t forget to consult your graphic organizer on the Purposes of Storytelling,
your handouts, worksheets, class notes for the stories, in addition to the stories themselves.
Your essay will consist of five+ paragraphs: introduction, 3+ body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Choose one of the following writing tasks and circle it.
Task A: Choose three of the four Purposes of Storytelling discussed this marking period. For each purpose you select,
provide at least one story and/or poem read in class to demonstrate how this particular purpose was evident. Be sure to
include specific, relevant details from the stories or poems you choose.
OR
Task B: Choose three of the stories in the Purposes of Storytelling Unit discussed this marking period and analyze the theme
in each story. For each story you select, provide the theme, explanation of the theme, and demonstrate how this particular
theme is evident with specific examples from the text. Use a clear mix of specific, relevant concrete details with citations and
commentary (your ideas and explanations).
This essay will be due: ______________________________________
2010/2011
Name _________________________________English 10 Date/Period ___________
4
3
2
1
FOCUS x3
CONTENT x3
ORGANIZATION x2
STYLE
CONVENTIONS
The single controlling
point made with an
awareness of task about a
specific topic.
The presence of ideas
developed through facts,
examples, anecdotes, details,
opinions, statistics, reasons,
and/or explanations.
The order developed and
The choice, use and arrangement of
words and sentence structures that
create tone and voice.
Grammar, mechanics, spelling,
usage and sentence formation.
Sharp, distinct controlling
point made about a single
topic with evident
awareness of task.
Substantial, specific, and/or
illustrative content
demonstrating strong
development and sophisticated
ideas.
Meaningful arrangement of
content with evident and/or
Apparent point made
about a single topic with
sufficient awareness of
task.
sustained within and across
paragraphs using transitional
devices and including
introduction and conclusion.
Evident control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage and
sentence formation.
subtle transitions.
Precise, illustrative use of a variety
of words and sentence structures
to create consistent writer's voice
and tone appropriate to audience.
Sufficiently developed content
with adequate elaboration or
explanation.
Functional arrangement of
content that sustains a logical
order with some evidence of
transitions.
Generic use of a variety of words
and sentence structures that may
or may not create writer's voice
and tone appropriate to audience.
Sufficient control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage and
sentence formation.
No apparent point but
evidence of a specific
topic.
Limited content with
inadequate elaboration or
explanation.
Confused or inconsistent
arrangement of content with
or without attempts at
transition.
Limited word choice and control of
sentence structures that inhibit
voice and tone.
Limited control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, and usage,
sentence formation.
Minimal evidence of a
topic.
Superficial and/or minimal
content.
Minimal control of content
arrangement.
Minimal variety in word choice and
minimal control of sentence
structures.
Minimal control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage and
sentence formation.
Methacton Writing Assessment Domain Scoring Guide- Comments
2010/2011