R10.1-6 Essay Exercise: Rhetoric Level (Thematic Essay)
Literary Core Skill:
Rhetoric Level 10: Compose several 3-5-page thematic essays.
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Elements of Fiction:
Assignment Type:
Description:
By completing the following six assignments in order, students will compose a page-length thematic essay of the current title. Each assignment builds on the previous one, making systematic completion necessary.
A “Thematic” Essay is aimed an explaining one or more of the story’s major themes, using the text of the story as its only evidence. This is distinct from the “Interpretive” Essay described in R16, which asks the student to use details from outside the story (i.e., the author’s life and times, themes of his other stories) to comment on the story’s themes.
Instructions for creating effective writing prompts can be found at www.centerforlitschools.com.
Grading Rubric:
Teachers use the 5-fold grading rubric found at www.centerforlitschools.com/5fold-grading-rubric.
R10.1 Essay Exercise: Thesis
This worksheet presents thematic writing prompt derived from current title. Student submits two or three proposed thesis statements in response.
R10.2 Essay Exercise: Supports
Student submits three 3-sentence quotations drawn from the text in support of each proposed thesis.
R10.3 Essay Exercise: Microcosm Paragraph
Student writes a microcosm paragraph to summarize the essay’s argument (See explanations at www.centerforlitschools.com).
R10.4 Essay Exercise: Outline
Student submits an outline of the essay.
R10.5 Essay Exercise: Rough Draft
Student submits a rough draft of the essay.
R10.6 Essay Exercise: Final Draft
Student submits a final draft of the essay.