Short Answer Response #2: Modernism
Due: Wednesday, March 23
1) Modernist Poetry (Choose one of the following prompts for #1 – be sure to indicate which letter prompt you chose for #1; 1 page):
a) Choose one poem from among those read between 3/9 and 3/23 and explicate it with the purpose of illustrating why it should be considered an example of modernist poetry. Be aware that a main function of this prompt is to have you define modernist poetry and show that you can identify and discuss examples of the traits of modernism in your discussion. For this reason, you may want to choose the poem that you think has the greatest diversity of modernist elements.
b) Compare a narrow aspect of two poems from the following: e.e. cummings’s “I like my body when it is with your body,” T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” or any of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s (you cannot choose two of Millay’s; you must discuss two authors). Assert and defend some claim about gender and sexuality in the poems. Are there important points of difference or commonality in how each author addresses issues of gender, sexuality, or love?
c) Discuss the attitude toward and representation of death in Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”
2) William Faulkner (2 paragraphs): Examine one of the following themes or concerns of “Barn Burning” and assert and defend a claim about its importance to the story by examining one (or two) passages from the story. Make sure that you have a clear and direct claim at the beginning of your two paragraphs.
a. The role of the past (personal and/or historical)
b. Parent – child relationships
c. Class in southern white culture
3) Ernest Hemingway and Susan Glaspell (2 paragraphs): Assert and defend a claim about the authors’ play with gender expectations in Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” and Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles.” Plan on spending one paragraph on each story discussing a narrow claim and the play with gender representation in the two stories, but do try and have a connection that pulls them together that you can use in your transition between the two paragraphs (i.e., it should read like two connected or related ideas, not two separate paragraphs).
Grading Rubric for SAR #2
Mastery of skill / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory
skill level / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic skill level
achieved / D: 65
Failed skill / F: 50
Element missing
Thesis: The thesis is clear and thoughtful and directly and appropriately responds to the prompt (but more complexly than yes or no).
Text (Quote) Analysis for Argument Support: The answer uses quotes and examples from the text that support the thesis. The quotes are discussed in terms of their language, context, tone, or other literary element(s) that contribute to the support of the argument.
Originality / Critical Thinking & Analysis: The response is original and insightful and addresses the topic fully and insightfully and explores the issue(s) thoughtfully and critically.
Grammar, Punctuation, Usage, Spelling: The response is well written and well organized with no sentence or grammar errors or stylistic problems.
Question #2 / A: 100-98, 95, 92
Mastery / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic / D: 65
Failed / F: 50
Missing
Thesis
Quotes / Argument Support
Originality / Analysis
Grammar, etc.
Question #3 / A: 100-98, 95, 92
Mastery / B: 88, 85, 82
Satisfactory / C: 78, 75, 72
Basic / D: 65
Failed / F: 50
Missing
Thesis
Quotes / Argument Support
Originality / Analysis
Grammar, etc.
Avg. for each question #1______#2______#3______Weighted Total Average/Grade: ______
(50%) (25%) (25%)