English | Assignment | Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Assignment
Write a Literary Analysis Essay
During the next several lessons you will be writing a literary analysis essay about a literary element in The
Alchemist. Your essay should be about 500–750 words. Check with your teacher regarding the date you need to
turn in the assignment.
Your analysis will be scored by your teacher using the Literary Analysis Grading Rubric. Look at the rubric
yourself so that you know how your writing will be scored.
You will begin your assignment today. Follow the steps of the writing process to complete the assignment.
For the content of your essay, respond to one of these prompts:
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What is the theme of the novel? In your introduction, write a thesis statement that identifies the theme and
briefly explains how the theme is developed. In your body paragraphs, give specific examples of scenes,
characters’ actions, or symbols by which the author develops the theme. End the essay with a concluding
statement that sums up your thesis and major supporting ideas in new words. Your conclusion may offer
examples of how the chosen theme relates to real-life situations or other literary texts.
How do events such as omens and dreams support the novel’s theme? In your introduction, present a
thesis statement in which you clearly present your main idea about the thematic role of such events. In
your body paragraphs, analyze specific events of this type, using their details to show their meaning.
Conclude the essay by restating your thesis and major supporting ideas in new terms. You may include a
thoughtful generalization that wraps up your thesis.
What is the allegory in the novel, and how does it shape and support the novel’s theme? In your thesis
statement, identify the allegory and give a concise statement of its relation to the theme. In your body
paragraphs, explain the allegory’s meaning and specify characters, actions, or symbols that develop this
meaning. End with a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis and main points and connects the
allegory to real-life situations or other literary texts.
Planning
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Do a close reading of The Alchemist, taking notes about the literary element you selected. Include details
from the text, and record their page numbers. Quote and paraphrase from The Alchemist in those details.
Write a clear and precise thesis statement that makes a claim, states a position, or provides an evaluation
or analysis.
Check your work using the online checklist.
Drafting
Write the first draft of your literary analysis essay. Remember to save often. As you write, follow these guidelines:
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Include your thesis statement, making sure it is a clear and precise thesis statement that makes a claim,
states a position, or provides an evaluation or analysis.
Write body paragraphs that develop and support your thesis using reasons and evidence from the text.
Sequence your ideas logically and make clear connections between ideas and support.
Quote or paraphrase from the literary work to support your points, using in-text citations.
Use transitions, a formal style, and an objective tone.
Write a conclusion that wraps up your argument.
Check your draft using the online checklist, and then share your draft with at least two peers to receive feedback.
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English | Assignment | Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Revising
Revise your first draft, using the feedback you received from your readers. Decide which items in the feedback
you ought to respond to in your revision. Check your work using the online checklist.
Proofreading and Publishing
Proofread your revised draft using the online checklist.
Submit Your Assignment
Your teacher will score your assignment using the Write a Literary Analysis Essay Grading Rubric. Look at the
rubric yourself so that you know how your assignment will be scored.
Check with your teacher regarding the date you need to turn in the assignment. Follow the instructions in the
Graded Assignment to complete the story and submit it to your teacher for grading.
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English | Grading Rubric| Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Grading Rubric
Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Total Score: 100 points
Use the rubrics and scoring instructions to grade the student’s assignment.
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Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
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English | Grading Rubric| Write a Literary Analysis Essay
27-Point Rubric
(Score: ___ of 81 points)
Skill
Organization &
Purpose
27-point score
20-point score
13-point score
6-point score
For a 27-point score, the
student employs clear
and consistent
organization over the
course of the narrative
writing. Understanding of
the purpose is evident.
For a 20-point score, the
student employs
satisfactory organization
over the course of the
narrative writing.
Understanding of the
purpose is evident.
For a 13-point score, the
student somewhat
establishes organization
over the course of the
narrative writing.
Understanding of the
purpose is adequate.
For a 6-point score, the
student has difficulty
establishing organization
over the course of the
narrative writing.
Understanding of the
purpose is minimal.
•
•
•
attempts to develop
characters, setting,
events, and conflict,
with some success
•
•
inconsistently
sequences events
and situations; some
cohesion
•
incorrectly
sequences events
and situations; little
cohesion
•
uses transition
strategies to connect
ideas, events, and
situations somewhat
ineffectively,
confusing or
disrupting the
progression
•
inadequately or
incorrectly uses
transition strategies
•
provides a conclusion
that is weak or fails to
follow from, resolve,
or reflect back on the
narrative
•
•
•
effectively introduces
and develops
characters, setting,
events, and conflict
logically sequences
events and situations
to build on one
another and create
cohesion
effectively uses
transition strategies
to clearly connect
ideas, events, and
situations
provides a
meaningful
conclusion that
follows from,
resolves, or reflects
the events and
experiences
developed over the
course of the
narrative
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Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
•
•
•
introduces and
develops characters,
setting, events and
conflict, though some
elements would
benefit from more
details
sufficiently
sequences events
and situations; there
are minor issues with
cohesion
uses transition
strategies to connect
ideas, events, and
situations, though
some ideas may be
loosely connected
provides a sufficient
conclusion that
mostly follows from,
resolves, or reflects
back on the narrative
•
partially develops
one or more literary
elements with limited
success
0-point score
No score
•
incomplete (may
be copied text
from another
source)
•
may use
language other
than English
•
unclear topic
•
unclear purpose
provides a conclusion
that somewhat
follows from,
resolves, or reflects
back on the narrative
Page 2 of 5
English | Grading Rubric| Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Skill
Development &
Elaboration
27-point score
20-point score
13-point score
6-point score
For a 27-point score, the
student effectively and
consistently develops
narrative elements and
details over the course of
the narrative writing.
For a 20-point score, the
student appropriately
develops narrative
elements and details over
the course of the
narrative writing.
For a 13-point score, the
student unevenly
develops narrative
elements and details over
the course of the
narrative writing:
For a 6-point score, the
student ineffectively
develops narrative
elements and details over
the course of the
narrative writing.
•
•
•
presents a problem
or observation about
real or imagined
experiences and
events, though they
are minimally
developed
•
•
attempts to Introduce
and develop
characters, points of
view, and multiple
plot lines with some
success
•
ineffectively
introduces and
develops characters,
points of view, and
multiple plot lines
•
•
adequately
incorporates
dialogue, pacing
techniques,
description, and
reflection
has difficulty
incorporating
dialogue, pacing
techniques,
description, and
reflection
•
•
makes some
connections to
source materials
when appropriate
makes irrelevant or
ineffective
connections to
source materials
when appropriate
engages the reader
with a well-developed
problem or
observation about
real or imagined
experiences and
events
•
effectively introduces
and develops
characters, points of
view, and multiple
plot lines
•
creatively
incorporates ample
dialogue, pacing
techniques,
description, and
reflection
•
makes relevant
connections to
source materials
when appropriate
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Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
•
•
•
sufficiently presents a
problem or
observation about
real or imagined
experiences and
events
sufficiently introduces
and develops
characters, points of
view, and multiple
plot lines
sufficiently
incorporates
dialogue, pacing
techniques,
description, and
reflection
makes sufficient
connections to
source materials
when appropriate
incompletely or
ineffectively presents
a problem or
observation about
real or imagined
experiences and
events
0-point score
No score
•
incomplete (may
be copied text
from another
source
•
may use
language other
than English
•
unclear topic
•
unclear purpose
Page 3 of 5
English | Grading Rubric| Write a Literary Analysis Essay
Skill
Style & Vocabulary
27-point score
20-point score
13-point score
6-point score
For a 27-point score, the
student thoughtfully and
effectively incorporates
elements of style over the
course of the narrative
writing.
For a 20-point score, the
student proficiently
incorporates elements of
style over the course of
the narrative writing.
For a 13-point score, the
student inconsistently
incorporates elements of
style over the course of
the narrative writing.
For a 6-point score, the
student has difficulty
incorporating elements of
style over the course of
the narrative writing.
•
sufficiently uses
precise language,
detailed description,
and sensory
language to develop
characters,
experiences, and
setting
•
inconsistently uses
precise language,
detailed description,
and sensory
language to develop
characters,
experiences, and
setting
•
•
uses specific word
choice and pacing for
effect, such as to
develop tone, mood,
humor, surprise, or
suspense, though
unevenly
•
adequately but
infrequently uses
specific word choice
and pacing for effect,
such as to develop
tone, mood, humor,
surprise, or suspense
•
rarely uses specific
word choice and
pacing for effect,
such as to develop
tone, mood, humor,
surprise, or suspense
•
•
•
employs word choice
and narrative
techniques that
mostly demonstrate
awareness of
purpose and
audience
attempts to employ
word choice and
narrative techniques
and somewhat
demonstrates
awareness of
purpose and
audience
ineffectively employs
word choice and
narrative techniques
and may not
demonstrate
awareness of
purpose and
audience
•
•
•
uses precise
language, detailed
description, and
sensory language
liberally and
accurately to develop
characters,
experiences, and
setting
effectively uses
specific word choice
and pacing for effect,
such as to develop
tone, mood, humor,
surprise, or suspense
effectively employs
word choice and
narrative techniques
that demonstrate
awareness of
purpose and
audience
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Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
ineffectively uses
precise language,
detailed description,
and sensory
language to develop
characters,
experiences, and
setting
0-point score
No score
•
incomplete (may
be copied text
from another
source)
•
may use
language other
than English
•
unclear topic
•
unclear purpose
Page 4 of 5
English | Grading Rubric| Write a Literary Analysis Essay
19-Point Rubric
(Score: ___ of 19 points)
Skill
Conventions
19-point score
14-point score
For a 19-point score, the
student demonstrates
exemplary command of
conventions of English.
For a 14-point score, the
student demonstrates
proficient command of
conventions of English.
For a 9-point score, the
student demonstrates
partial command of
conventions of English.
For a 4-point score, the
student demonstrates
limited command of
conventions of English.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
strong command of
grammar, mechanics,
usage, and spelling
accurate spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation
effective, varied
sentence structure
and length
few or no errors;
issues do not affect
readability
•
•
•
adequate command
of grammar,
mechanics, usage,
and spelling
mostly accurate
spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation
appropriate, varied
sentence structure
and length
minor errors; issues
do not affect
readability
9-point score
•
•
•
limited command of
grammar, mechanics,
usage, and spelling
inconsistent spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation
adequate, though
simple, sentence
structure and length
some errors; issues
somewhat affect
readability
4-point score
•
insufficient command
of grammar,
mechanics, usage,
and spelling
inaccurate spelling,
capitalization, and
punctuation
•
ineffective, sentence
structure and length
•
many errors; issues
interfere with
readability
0-point score
No score
•
incomplete (may
be copied text
from another
source)
•
may use
language other
than English
•
unclear topic
•
unclear purpose
Student Name:
Overall Comments:
Total score: ____ of 100 points
To calculate the final grade for this assignment, add the scores for each rubric topic for a maximum score of 100 points.
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