Senior Inquiry 14-15

Due 9/22/14 Your first paper assignment will be to do an analysis of The Handmaid’s Tale through one of the critical lenses that we have used in class; Class, Race, Gender (suggested), or the lens you used during your reading over the summer. You will analyze the text through your chosen lens and generate a thesis about what the novel is saying about the particular issues that your lens addresses. Your thesis could, for example, answer the question “What is ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ saying about gender relations in our real, current society?” Your paper should be 2-3 pages and must be in MLA format. This means that it should be double spaced, in12-point font, have an appropriate header, and a title. Do not adjust the margins to make the paper look longer or put unnecessary spaces at the top of the page (i.e. making the actual writing of the paper start halfway down the first page). These guidelines apply to all future papers as well. Be specific in your examples, use quotes from the text, and be as clear as possible in making your argument.

You will be graded using the following 2 scales:

SCALE #1- Reading

4- I can prove a compelling thesis using specific and highly relevant evidence derived from my analysis of The Handmaid’s Tale through my specific lens.

-I can use the best possible evidence to support my thesis

-I can explain my analysis of the evidence clearly and compellingly

3- I can cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis derived from my analysis of The Handmaid’s Tale through my specific lens. I can meet all level 2 learning targets AND….

-I can use my lens to identify evidence and create a strong thesis based on that evidence

-I can locate textual evidence within a text to support my claim

-I can explain the significance or implications of what the text says 2- I can…

-Use a lens to analyze my text

-Explain how readers use textual evidence to reach a logical conclusion

-Demonstrate understanding of explicit information

-Make a justifiable inference about the text

1- I can meet few of the targets listed under 2

0- No evidence 

SCALE #2-Writing

4- I can write compelling arguments to support my thesis using a lens from class with virtually no errors in logic, style, organization, grammar or syntax

3- I can write arguments to support my thesis in an analysis of The Handmaid’s Tale, using a lens from class, valid reasoning, relevant and sufficient evidence, and strong grammar, organization and syntax.

I can…

-Introduce a precise, knowledgeable thesis and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), reasons, and evidence.

-Develop my thesis fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence

-Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, and create cohesion

-Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

-Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. -Use correct grammar and spelling the vast majority of the time

2- I can…

-State a thesis and supply some evidence for it -Use academic language to explain my point

-Lay out my paper using basic organization

-Use grammar and spelling that does not impede the reader’s understanding of my essay

1- I can meet few of the targets listed under 2

0-No evidence