Unit 4 Summative Assessment:
Literary Analysis in PEARL format
TOPIC: Formulate an argument on whether or not this novel should be taught/used in the grade 9 curriculum, and one that could be read by the English department, principals, board of trustees, or parent community. Write an argumentative essay using support from your novel and your own experiences, connections, and opinions on the text. *Note: No personal pronouns.
Within the argument, focus on TWO of the following components:
Characterization
Voice authenticity
Theme
Stylistic devices (focusing on diction, narrative structure, and/or text features)
Content (e.g. sexual content, shootings, police brutality, mental illness, sexual orientation, etc.)
Requirements for submission: Open a NEW doc to begin writing and attach it immediately to the assignment posted on Google Classroom. All writing must be completed either in the brainstorming table, or on the new doc. Revision history must also be available.
FORMAT:
INTRODUCTION & THESIS
Open your paragraph with an engaging hook and a sentence (or two) that opens your paragraph, perhaps provide some context
Do not start with “In the novel Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon…”
Be sure to mention author and title of piece somewhere in the introduction
Create a concrete, well-rounded sentence that states your position (thesis)
Think back to our thesis building throughout the year
BODY 1: POINT
This is where you state your POINT
Do not state “I think… Because”
Create a concrete, well-rounded sentence that states your position (point one of thesis)
EVIDENCE (Include specific and detailed evidence and examples here.)
This is where you write your EVIDENCE
Use direct quotes from the text to support your point (Follow MLA formatting for citations)
Quotations MUST BE integrated into your own sentences, rather than stand alone
Remember to use the Quotation Sandwich as an integration resource
ANALYSIS (So what? Explain why your evidence is important. our analysis needs to elaborate and explain how the evidence supports your point, and thereby your thesis.)
This is where you write your ANALYSIS
Make your analysis insightful, not something that is generic or common knowledge
Here, you will refer to your next POINT from your thesis. Ensure successful transition into that new point (ie. use a linking sentence or a carefully placed transition word).
Be sure to repeat Evidence & Analysis.
CONC: RELATE to Context (What else is happening at this time that the reader needs to know? Why is your answer significant? Consider the “big picture”.)
This is where you write your RELATE
LINK (Link back to the question. Restate your answer in new words)
This is where you write your LINK
Do not repeat yourself – you are only connecting everything together here
Complete your brainstorming and outlining here:
Thesis:
Point 1 (Characterization)
(Get to know about the characters)
The characters are portrayed so genuinely, and many can relate to the characters in the book, through experiences, and self identity.
EV
Teens my age can relate to Noah as he is a queer individual that is figuring himself out. He uses his art as an outlet to truly be himself. “Most of the time, I feel like a hostage,” he says.
AN
Noah is a Gay individual and hes being challenged to figure himself out in a world that doesnt understand. A Lot of teens my age are feeling the same things. And this book could help many teens who are feeling trapped in the same way Noah is.
Point 2 (Content)
(Focusing on the content of the book)
This book is a great way to provide a perspective and a voice to those who are struggling with sexual identity. The importance of removing the stigma of sexual orrientation throughoput media is why this book is so important, espaciallhy bringing awarness through the school system.
This book promotes diversity in young adult literature
EV
This book uses thematic events, and realistic content, to provide the reader with a real and raw view of what goes on with teens who are struggling with their self identity and sexual identity. And how media and society can impact a person’s mental health because of the stigma that is so prominent. Noah and Brain are a great example of teens figuring out themselves. They are love interests and are both boys And through the book we see them face many challenges because of their relationship.
AN
Conc
Link
rc
Below is your assessment for the assignment. *Please pay close attention to the descriptors of the criteria.
PEARL Paragraph RUBRIC
Criteria
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
A: Analyzing
i. provides limited analysis of the content, context, language, structure, technique and style of text(s) and the relationship among texts
ii. provides limited analysis of the effects of the creator’s choices on an audience
i. provides adequate analysis of the content, context, language, structure, technique and style of text(s) and the relationship among texts
ii. provides adequate analysis of the effects of the creator’s choices on an audience
iii. justifies opinions and ideas with some examples and explanations, though this may not be consistent; uses some terminology
i. competently analyzes the content, context, language, structure, technique, style of text(s) and the relationship among texts
ii. competently analyses the effects of the creator’s choices on an audience
iii. sufficiently justifies opinions and ideas with examples and explanations;
uses accurate terminology
i. provides perceptive analysis of the content, context, language, structure, technique, style of text(s) and the relationship among texts
ii. perceptively analyzes the effects of the creator’s choices on an audience
iii. gives detailed justification of opinions and ideas with a range of
examples, and thorough explanations; uses accurate terminology
A: Task Specific Instructions
Analyses are vague or too ‘common knowledge’
Displays some understanding of text and writers’ intentions/purpose
Adequate exploration of topic
Meanings have been constructed
Ideas are missing, or not fully developed
Text has been synthesized and analyzed to a high degree
Analytical piece demonstrates the ability to deconstruct text and understand writers’ intentions
Thesis has been craftily developed and discussed
Topic has been properly and insightfully explored, including understanding of elements of the novel
Insightful ideas are explored and successfully explained
Argument has been developed thoroughly
Criteria
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
D: Using Language
i. uses a limited range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
ii. sometimes writes in a register and style that serve the context and intention
iii. uses grammar, syntax and punctuation with some degree of accuracy; errors sometimes hinder communication
i. uses an adequate range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
ii. sometimes writes in a register and style that serve the context and intention
iii. uses grammar, syntax and punctuation with some degree of accuracy; errors sometimes hinder communication
iv. spells/writes with some degree of accuracy; errors sometimes hinder communication
i. uses a varied range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression competently
ii. writes competently in a register and style that serve the context and intention
iii. uses grammar, syntax and punctuation with a considerable degree of accuracy; errors do not hinder effective communication
iv. spells/writes with a considerable degree of accuracy; errors do not hinder effective communication
i. effectively uses a range of appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
ii. writes in a consistently appropriate register and style that serve the context and intention
iii. uses grammar, syntax and punctuation with a high degree of accuracy;
errors are minor and communication is effective
iv. spells/writes with a high degree of accuracy; errors are minor and communication is effective
D: Task Specific Instructions
The Written Work:
Attempts to modify diction and enhance vocabulary
Sentence fluency requires work or is lacking; audience engaging techniques are missing
Ideas are present but may be missing connection to each other
Does not experiment with punctuation for effect, or uses basic punctuation
Errors are evident in work and/or distract from meaning of work
MLA formatting is either incorrect, or not integrated
Mostly adheres to 6+1 Traits of writing guidelines and formatting; some errors noted
The Written Work:
Uses of high degree of vocabulary and diction
Sentence fluency is effective and adds to piece
Use of register and voice are effective and strengthens argument
Writing does not go off topic and details and examples are clearly connected to argument and/or novel
Sophisticated use of punctuation that enhances fluency and sharing of ideas
Work has been properly edited for mechanical errors, including in-text citations
MLA Formatting & 6 + 1 Traits of writing have been implemented