Assignment – 2
Write an essay in which you analyze the role that setting and character play in driving the plot events
in a fiction story from the Part 2 readings. Poetry or nonfiction will not work for this assignment. The
essay should contain an introduction, body, and conclusion, be 1-2 pages in length, typed, double
spaced, using Times New Roman font, size 12. Please save your essay as a Word document and
submit as an attachment to be graded.
• Choose a story with elements that are clearly or strongly related. For example, you might choose a
story with a plot in which the setting is crucial.
• Analyze the ways in which setting is essential to the plot of the story.
• Analyze the ways in which the main characters are crucial to the arc of the story.
Analysis is the practice of looking closely at small parts to see how they affect the whole. Literary
analysis focuses on how plot, character, setting, and many other techniques are used by the author
to create meaning. Always be sure to discuss the significance of your observations to the theme(s).
Read the story several times. Take notes on its themes, characters, setting, plot, and so on. Be
sure the notes include looking beyond the surface to the deeper meaning the author is trying to
relay. Include how the author’s message and the story’s themes then impact setting, characters,
plot, and so on. Analysis also looks at why the meaning is important.
Introduction (a full paragraph)
Engage your audience with a hook
Include a preview of the main points
Place the thesis statement as your last sentence
Body (each section in full paragraph form)
Balance the general with the specific. Every time you make a claim, follow it up with an example or
illustration, an explanation of the specific elements within that claim, or a concrete point of evidence
that supports that claim.
Conclusion (a full paragraph)
Summarize your main points
End memorably with a thought that will continue to echo in the audience’s mind long after reading the
essay.Grading Rubric
Category 4 3 2 1-0
Introduction The introduction contains a
solid thesis statement, a
hook, and a preview of the
main points.
The introduction is
sufficient with a thesis
statement, a hook, and a
preview of the main
points, but may need
additional development,
specificity, and/or
avoidance of
announcements.
The introduction
is present but
may be missing a
thesis statement,
a hook, a preview
of the main
points, or is less
than a paragraph
in length.
There is a sense of an
opening, but elements are
missing or underdeveloped.
Body Each body paragraph is fully
developed with examples
and details. Organization is
logical and transitioning is
smooth.
Each body paragraph is
fully developed with
examples and details.
Organization is logical,
but smooth transitioning
is needed.
There are areas
that need further
development
through details,
examples, or
explanation.
Much more explanation is
needed and/or body sections
are not fully formed.
Conclusion The conclusion restates the
thesis, summarizes the main
points, and ends
memorably.
The conclusion restates
the thesis, summarizes
the main points, but the
ending lacks strength.
The ending is
present and a full
paragraph but
neglects to fully
tie up the main
ideas.
The ending is less than a full
paragraph and neglects to
fully tie up the main ideas.
Source Support &
Academic Integrity
Credible source support
contains excellent depth
and detail, and sources used
have been cited and
referenced. There is no bias
present.
Credible source support
is included but could be
more fully developed,
and any sources used
have been cited and
referenced. There is no
bias present.
Source support is
present but a
source or sources
are not credible,
and/or have not
been cited or
referenced, or
bias is present.
The essay does not contain
credible source support.
Grammar,
Spelling, and
Punctuation
The contains 0-2 errors. The essay contains 3-4
errors.
The essay
contains 5-6
errors.
The essay contains more
than 6 errors.