ELA3105-ABED_1: 2.7a Novel CRT: Thesis (FORMATIVE)

Receive a grade

Please be aware that 2.7a and 2.7b are time-consuming assignments. Writing a critical essay a multi-step process which will take more than one class period to complete.

Step 1	Choose one of the short stories: "Two Words" (Imprints 12, Vol. I, pp. 51–58) "The Shining Houses" (Imprints 12, Vol. I, pp. 26–35) "On the Rainy River" (Imprints 12, Vol. I, pp. 70–85) "Touching Bottom" (Imprints 12, Vol. I, pp. 124-131) Relate it to the novel that you have read. In relation to one of the Essential Questions of the course, explore how both texts present a unique focus on the EQ. You have 2 choices: Your focus can be on the characters' transformations in relation to the EQ. Your essay will be a lot like 2.2 except there will be a comparison/contrast between 2 characters in 2 different texts. Here's a plan. It can focus on the author's use of technical elements to develop the EQ. Here's a plan.
Step 2	Review your short story annotations as well as your novel sticky note summaries. Make notes on the similarities and differences between the various elements and how they are explored within each text.
Step 3	View tutorials on How to Write a Thesis Statement and Writing an Effective Thesis Statement. Look ahead to the Outline Document Links to see two ways you can organize your 2.7b essay.
Step 4	Compose a thesis statement which focuses on your response to the topic. A thesis is a succinct, one sentence statement that provides your opinion to the topic. It should not reference specific characters or events. If you're focusing on the characters' transformation, review your 1.4 and 2.2 assignments. Sample thesis: Both authors clearly demonstrate that a crisis can transform an individual by ___________, ___________, and ___________. If you're focusing on the technical element(s), review your 1.3a and 1.3b assignments. What element(s) in both the novel and the short story develop the EQ? What are the authors saying about your EQ topic through those element(s)? Sample thesis: The authors use _____, _______, and ______ [list 1 or more elements] to demonstrate that people's choices and actions can influence the direction of their lives by __________ [what ways? be specific].
Step 5	If you need help writing an amazing thesis statement, consider these helpful handouts on each EQ: Choices & Actions Responsible to Others Success & Failure Crisis
Step 6	Submit the information below and wait for approval before you continue to work on your essay outline for 2.7b. My short story choice (title in quotation marks): My novel choice (title in italics): My chosen Essential Question: My focus is (transformation or technical elements): My thesis statement:

Assessment

Your thesis will be "marked" out of 5. Your mark out of 5 represents the following:

5—excellent
4—proficient
3—basic
2—developing
1—underdeveloped

It is expected that you will download and review all of the feedback files provided for formative assessments and that you will read, consider, and apply the suggestions to your future assignments. Learning cannot happen if you do not review all of the material, including the valuable feedback that is provided to you.

Assignment