SPRING WEEKLY PARAGRAPH ASSIGNMENTS

AND RUBRIC

18-20 points
A / These papers address the task and thoroughly explain or defend a position. They have very few, if any, grammatical or stylistic errors. They avoid first and second person. They have a clear, written or implied topic sentence. They use transitions well, incorporate rhetorical devices skillfully and end gracefully. They meet the length requirement.
16-17 points
B / These papers address the task and moderately defend or explain a position incorporating a topic sentence. They have a limited number of grammatical or stylistic errors. They avoid first or second person. They use transitions and have a beginning, middle, and an end. They are long enough.
14- 15 points
C / These papers address the task. They avoid second person. They may have one fragment or run-on. It attempts at a topic sentence and clincher sentence. They have an adequate length.
0-13 points
F / These papers are misreads or fail to address the task. They may have an excessive number of grammatical or stylistic flaws. They may have more than one fragment and/or run-on. They are too short.
  1. What effect does O’Brien’s use of lists as a rhetorical device have on “The Things They Carried?”
  2. How does Orwell’s use of narration compare to O’Brien’s?
  3. In the paragraph beginning “When a man died” on page 177 of The Things They Carried, how do the syntactical structures in the paragraph impact the message being presented?
  4. Create an introduction paragraph to a TAKS Essay beginning with action or a description.
  5. Create an introduction paragraph to a TAKS Essay beginning with a definition or a quote.
  6. STUDY
  7. Create a case using logos, ethos and pathos to refute/ support the need for state mandated testing.
  8. Who or what is Swift ridiculing in “A Modest Proposal?” Give evidence.
  9. Who or what is Twain ridiculing in “Cannibalism in Cars?” Give evidence.
  10. Is satire more effective in writing or visuals?
  11. “AD” is satirizing more than just one institution. Give at least two claims as to what is being satirized with evidence to support both.
  12. STUDY
  13. Using process analysis, describe the best argument arrangement to answer a synthesis question.
  14. Choose three rhetorical devices and describe their function.
  15. Defend Sophocles’ claim that “what you cannot enforce, do not command?”
  16. What is Othello’s greatest weakness? Why?
  17. How does Hughes use similes effectively in “Dream Deferred?”
  18. End of Semester - STUDY