Example Essays

http://www.apstudynotes.org/english/sample-essays/

Oedipus Essay, Due September 9

OEDIPUS ESSAY – 5 PARAGRAPHS, DUE SEPTEMBER 9.

Pick one:

·         Examine the symbols of sight and blindness in Oedipus Rex.  Explain the significance, using specific details and quotes. 

OR

·         How do the characters’ actions in the exodus reflect their inner characters?  Explore the idea, using specific details and quotes.

OR

·         Evaluate the importance of fate in Oedipus Rex.  How do the characters’ responses to fate affect their realities?  Use specific details and quotes to justify your answer.

You will be graded using the following scoring guide:

	Level 2 Non-existent	Level 4 Poor	Level 6 Fair	Level 8 Good	Level 10 Excellent
Thesis An arguable statement that addresses the purpose of the essay.	Contains little or no argument	A weak argument with little or no insight that fails to address the purpose of the essay.	An obvious attempt at an argument with some insight and purpose	A strong argument with valid insight and a sense of an organizational pattern.	An insightful, arguable, comprehensive statement which displays an organizational pattern.
Organization Includes introduction, body, and conclusion sections. Each paragraph should include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a transition sentence.	The paper contains few or none of the necessary components of organization and  does not follow a plan of development	The paper contains some of the necessary components of organization and does not follow a clear plan of development	The paper contains many of the necessary components of organization and attempts to follow a plan of development.	The paper contains most of the necessary components of organization and clearly follows a plan of development.	The paper contains all the necessary components of organization and clearly follows a thorough plan of development.
Content  The material employed to defend the thesis.	Contains little or no relevant content	The content is not adequately informative or persuasive, includes little development or proof of the thesis, and includes generalizations and repetition.	The content is informative and somewhat persuasive, attempts to develop and prove the thesis, and may include generalizations and repetition.	The content is informative and persuasive, adequately develops and proves the thesis, and may include minor generalizations and repetition.	The content is informative and persuasive, thoroughly develops and proves the thesis, and avoids generalizations and repetition.
Grammar and Mechanics Follows proper conventions of language.	Contains excessive errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling	Contains many errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling	Contains some errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling	Contains limited errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling	Contains few, if any, errors in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling

Oedipus Study Guide

Below is the link for the Oedipus Study Guide. 

All questions must be answered by Tuesday, September 6.

Do not wait until Monday night to start.  There are a lot of questions!  Answer them as you read.

You may print the document and answer the questions right on the page, or you may do them on loose leaf.  They must be neatly done, with appropriate details.  Please restate the question in your answer.  This study guide is worth 100 points, so put your best effort into it!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vVZvCixE3khynR3tjgbcj4Kf2eNLHxO_LQ1TI6F2orM/edit?hl=en_US

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Senior Exam review

Essay questions:
Describe the relationship that Christianity has in FD. Make sure to delineate both its positive effects and its negative repercussions.

When Frederick Douglass was a teenager, he had a friend who persuaded him to carry in his pocket a particular plant root that would prevent his ever being whipped again. When Douglass had a battle with his overseer, Mr. Covey, and was victorious, he gained a new perspective. Explain the effect the special root had on Douglass, what changes took place in his resoluteness, and why the incident was a turning point in his life as a slave.

The keeping of black slaves by whites was considered a sign of the white race’s power and intelligence. Enslaving men and women by keeping them from being educated, according to Douglass, gave the masters a responsibility. What was this responsibility? Explain how Douglass shows that this responsibility was part of the elimination of slavery, and what role people like Frederick Douglass had in its abolition.

Write a character analysis that explores how Gene grows and changes during the course of the novel, ASP. Do you believe that Gene has found peace with himself at the end of the novel? Why or why not? Support your opinions with quotations and other evidence from the novel. 

Presentation Rubric

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YbmyGQ9i2xx2Wz_nObzal0NlaDqL8_iqLJMd71cILiY/edit?hl=en&authkey=CPr45sII

A Separate Peace Study Guide, ch 1-10, Due Wednesday, 5-4-11

1.  At what time of year does Gene return to Devon to visit? What atmosphere, or mood, is created by setting the story during this season? What do Gene’s descriptions of the season suggest about his state of mind?

2.   Describe Finny’s relationship with his teachers. What does the teachers’ attitude toward Finny suggest about his personality?

3.  Gene believes blitzball is a perfect game for Finny. Explain how the game is played. How do the rules of the game and the skills needed to play it reflect Finny’s character?

4.  Describe the awards Finny has won. What record does he break? What do the awards and his refusal to make his accomplishment public suggest about him?

5.  After the overnight trip to the beach, what does Gene decide Finny is trying to do to him? What leads Gene to this conclusion? How does Gene feel when he realizes he is wrong?

6.  Evaluate Finny’s response to his injury and Gene’s revelation. Is the response believable? Is it consistent with Finny’s previous attitudes and behavior? Support your opinions with evidence from the novel.

7.  How did Gene deal with his friendship with Finny after the accident? Would you have done anything differently? Why or why not?

8.  What does Gene do when Quackenbush accuses him of being maimed? What motivates Gene to respond this way? In what sense might Gene be maimed?

9.  Contrast the mood at Devon during the summer session and fall session. Identify at least three factors that might account for this change in mood.

10.                      What is Finny’s theory about the war? How might his injury influence his feelings toward the war?

11.                      Why is it surprising that Elwin (Leper) Lepellier is the first Devon boy to enlist? In what ways is he different from the other boys who talk of enlisting?

12.                      In this section, what details does the author use to show the ways in which war is changing the atmosphere at Devon?