English 3-1 Project Instructions 2010

Compare/Contrast Modern American Authors

1) Instructions:
a) Select two authors you have read in this course in American Literature from colonial
times through the Civil War. Compare and contrast these two authors. Include in your
comparison/contrast essay both of the following elements
b) Discuss biographical information: education, early life, career etc.
c) Discuss the two authors’ style of writing, topics, or themes they wrote about, and
influences or legacy on American culture.

Requirements:
d) Your paper should be three pages long.
e) Use MLA Format including intext or parenthetical citation
i) Refer to this website: http://webpages.pvbears.org/hslibrary/mla.htm

2) Steps to follow
a) Complete the research
b) Design a one page outline
c) Complete the Works Cited page
d) Type the first draft-don’t forget to include intext or parenthetical citation
e) Complete peer critique form (see attached information)
f) Make corrections and type the final draft
g) Submit draft one, peer critique form, outline, and the final paper (including Works
Cited) electronically as Microsoft Word Attachments to kath9213@yahoo.com

English Writing Rubric

Trait Description Points Points Comment

Possible Earned s

1
Content: o Clearly Focused,
o Thesis o Consistently Interesting,
o Main Ideas o Exceptionally Clear,
o Supports o Strong Support & Rich 15
Detail/Examples Detail
Organization o Coherent
o Effective Sequencing 10
o Enhances Central Idea
Voice o Deeply committed to
topic, 10
o Strong Sense of Audience,
o Engaging to the Reader
Word Choice o Interesting
o Precise 10
o Natural
o Broad Range of Words
o Imagery
Sentence Fluency o Expressive oral reading
easy and enjoyable. 10
o Easy flow, strong varied
structure
Conventions o Sentence Structure.
o Grammar/Punctuation 10
o Spelling
o MLA Format
Total Points 65

Grading Guidelines:

Writing rubric score 65

First draft 10
Works cited page 10
Outline 10
Peer critique form 5
Total 100 points

*This project is 25 % of your final grade in this course.

2
Peer Critique Form

The purpose of a peer critique is to help the writer improve his or her writing before turning in
the final draft. This is also called peer editing. The student needs to complete part one of the
critique form, then email it, along with the first draft of the paper, to a peer. The peer reads the
draft and then completes part two of the critique form. When completed, the critique form is
emailed back to the student. This form is then electronically submitted along with the paper to
the teacher.

Part One (completed by the student)

Student’s Name:

Title of Essay:

Type of Essay:

Date:

Peer Critic’s Name:

Part Two (completed by the peer critic)

Directions: Please type responses in the textboxes provided. Where there is a choice of

responses, highlight or bold your answers.

Title of Essay:

Topic:

Type of Introduction (highlight or bold your choice):

a. Quotation e. An imaginary situation or scenario

b. Question f. An anecdote (a short story related to the topic)

c. A surprising statement g. Interesting background information

d. A new twist on a familiar phrase

3
Mechanical structure that needs improvement (highlight or bold your choices):

a. Spelling

b. Punctuation

c. Complete sentences

d. Transitions (first, second, after, next, beyond, further, in addition…)

e. Third person throughout (should not include: I, we, us, me, yours…) This does not apply

to personal narratives.

f. All pronouns refer exactly to the antecedents.

g. Exact vocabulary (should not include: A lot, stuff, things…)

In your opinion, what is the strongest part of the writing?

List two improvements that the writer should make before submitting the final draft:

1.

2.