R16.1-6 Essay Exercise: Rhetoric Level (Interpretive Essay)
Literary Core Skill:
Rhetoric Level 16: Compose 6-10-page interpretive 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.
In contrast to the “Thematic” Essay discussed earlier, which confines its observations to the text alone, the Interpretive Essay in this objective encourages students to situate the story’s argument in the broader context of the author’s worldview – an understanding of which can be gained not only by close reading of the current title, but also by considering other works by the same author and the details of his life and times.
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.
R16.1 Essay Exercise: Thesis
This worksheet presents thematic writing prompt derived from current title. Student submits two or three proposed thesis statements in response.
R16.2 Essay Exercise: Supports
Student submits three 3-sentence quotations drawn from the text in support of each proposed thesis.
R16.3 Essay Exercise: Microcosm Paragraph
Student writes a microcosm paragraph to summarize the essay’s argument (See explanations at www.centerforlitschools.com).
R16.4 Essay Exercise: Outline
Student submits an outline of the essay project.
R16.5 Essay Exercise: Rough Draft
Student submits a rough draft of the essay project.
R16.6 Essay Exercise: Final Draft
Student submits a final draft of the essay project..