Grade 10 – British Literature

Questions are not necessarily tied to the books listed—feel free to use your book to discuss any of the big questions below:

Rubric for Big QuestionHonors Assessment Essay 2015-16

3—yes; exceeds expectations; excelling

2.5---most of the time, for the most part

2—to some extent; somewhat successful

1.5—very slightly (a little bit)

1--—no, not at all, rarely; or does not meet expectationsTotal ______x 4 = ______

_____/3 Opens with engaging introductory paragraph(s)w/ clear thesis statement to address Big Question

_____/3At least three thoughtful, relevant artifacts/sources to support persuasive response

_____/1At least one source that addresses the counter-argument to your position

_____/2At least two literary pieces from this year with specific examples to support

_____/3Documents sources correctly using in-text citations and proper attribution

_____/3Explains/Analyzes connections to BQ, rather than summarizing or comparing

_____/3Demonstrates thoughtful organization, including effective transitions and conclusion

_____/3Proofread for spelling, punctuation, pronoun, tense, and comma-splice or fused errors

_____/3Sophisticated word choice, concise rather than wordy, varied sentence structure

_____/1Did not use you—paper at least three pages

Identity, Conformity, Rebellion

Angela’s Ashes, Sir Gawain, Lord of the Flies, Canterbury Tales

  • Are we all alone?
  • Can your conscience mislead you?
  • How do you show you care?
  • How good are you at judging people?
  • Should you trust your instincts?
  • What if everyone were the same?
  • What is cowardice?
  • What makes someone popular?
  • What makes you feel like an outsider?
  • What would you do for a friend?
  • What’s wrong with holding a grudge?
  • Whose life is it, anyway?

Family, Values, and Leadership

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Angela’s Ashes, King Arthur stories

  • Can ordinary people be heroes?
  • Can people live up to high ideals?
  • Can values be imposed?
  • How important is culture?
  • How important is telling the truth?
  • What do we learn from experience?
  • What do we owe others?
  • What is a women’s role in public life?
  • What is the ideal society?
  • What makes a true hero?
  • What makes something valuable?
  • Which is stronger: emotion or reason?
  • Who really shapes our society?
  • Why is love so complicated?

Science, Progress, and Dystopian Imaginings

1984, Lord of the Flies, Brave New World, Frankenstein

  • Can science tell us how to live?
  • Do the ends justify the means?
  • Does every generation improve upon the last?
  • Does knowledge come at a price?
  • How can we change society?
  • Is technology taking over?
  • Do people influence technology or does

technology influence people?

  • Why do people fear change?
  • What can people learn from nature?
  • When is the ordinary extraordinary?
  • When is progress a problem?

War, Conflict, Loss, and Survival

Lord of the Flies, Macbeth, Angela’s Ashes, Beowulf

  • Can you recover from tragedy?
  • Does fate control our lives?
  • How does war change our values?
  • Is fear our worst enemy?
  • Is survival a matter of chance?
  • Is it better to face or escape reality?
  • Is there a cure for grief?
  • Is violence ever justified?
  • What can we learn from disaster?
  • What enables humans to survive horrific conditions or events?
  • Which is more powerful: love or hate?
  • Who are the victims of war?
  • Why do people seek power?
  • Why is there always war?