Davita's Harp Essay

For our first Writing Wednesday, you will make a metaphor for a quality essay, and we will discuss the elements necessary for a strong essay before you begin writing your Davita's Harp final essay--which will be worth 50 points.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16 you will receive a printed copy of the following essay assignment:

Writing Prompt

Write a 2-3 page paper that discusses the causes and effects of one of the following topics in terms of a theme Chaim Potok develops in Davita’s Harp. This essay is not a research paper, so you should not consult outside sources for ideas. The teacher wants to assess your thinking and analysis of the novel.

· Imagination
· Storytelling
· Religion
· Faith
· Loneliness
· Gender roles
· Parenting
· Cultural change

Grading Rubric

Organization:

___ The introduction engages the reader, introduces the topic, and includes a thesis statement that will serve as a blueprint for the main ideas developed in the body paragraphs.

___ Body paragraphs follow solid paragraph structure by beginning with a topic sentence, including two or three PIEs, and ending with a concluding sentence which refers clearly to thesis statement. PIE = Point, Illustration, Explanation

___ Transitions from part to part and paragraph to paragraph are smooth and logical.

___ Conclusion summarizes the ideas presented in the paper and leads the reader to an interesting idea—the So what? or the So why does this matter to life?

Ideas:

___ Thesis is clearly stated, fully expanded, specifically states the main ideas of your paper

___ Thesis says something specific about the topic being explored. Theme = topic + author’s lesson about topic

___ Ideas are presented logically and clearly in body paragraphs that are relevant to the thesis.

___ Each paragraph includes at least two illustrations quoted from the text to support ideas.

___ All ideas are explained and analyzed fully.

Conventions:

___ Words are clear, precise and spelled correctly
___ Sentence formation is clear and varied
___ Proper punctuation is used
___ Rules of grammar are followed
___ Proper MLA format is used for in-text citations for direct quotations, and a works cited entry for the novel is included.

Due Dates

___ The rough draft is due on Wednesday, September 23 for peer review points.

___ The final draft is due on Thursday, September 24 with the last day to turn in the paper for full credit is Friday, September 25 at 3:10 p.m.

___ Papers turned in on Monday, September 28, will be graded, and then 25% will be deducted from the score earned. However, the lowest score earned will be 50% off.

___ Papers turned in on Tuesday, September 29 or later will only receive half credit.