Assignment Paper

Prompt: Select a symbol or motif (repeated element) in the text and discuss how Nathaniel Hawthorne uses that element to develop a particular theme or concept in the “Young Goodman Brown”. Be sure to explain what this symbol or motif represents/suggests and to explain how it works to develop the theme you have chosen.

Instructions: Write a ONE-paragraph analysis, beginning with your thesis statement. Remember to include direct evidence from the story to support your analysis. ** Refer to the lecture slides, notes, assignments, and practice thesis statements from this unit to guide your writing.

Rubric:

5

4

3

2

1

Thesis: Identifying a Theme

(RI.2, W.1a)

Your thesis eloquently determines a specific theme in YGB

Your thesis adequately determines a specific theme in YGB

Your thesis determines a topic of the story, but does not express the theme based on this topic.

Your thesis determines a topic of the story, but does not express the theme based on this topic.

Your thesis does not determine a topic or theme or the topic/theme is irrelevant to the story.

Thesis: Motif/Symbolism Use

(RI.2, W.1a)

Your thesis eloquently analyzes how the theme emerges and is shaped by the author’s use of motif/symbolism

Your thesis adequately analyzes how the theme emerges and is shaped by the author’s use of motif/symbolism

Your thesis does not accurately mention a motif/symbol specific to the poem, but may generally discuss the emergence of the theme

Your thesis does not mention the use of motif or symbol in a specific way.

Your thesis does not mention the use of motif or symbol.

Organization (W.1a)

Your paragraph eloquently creates an organization that establishes clear relationships among reasons and evidence

Your paragraph adequately creates an organization that establishes clear relationships among reasons and evidence

Your paragraph may not be logically organized or it may not establish clear relationships among reasons and evidence.

Your paragraph is not logically organized and does not establish clear relationships among reasons and evidence.

Your paragraph does not establish relationships among reasons and evidence.

Evidence (W.2b)

You eloquently develop your thesis with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient quotations and examples

You adequately develop your thesis with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient quotations and examples

You develop your thesis with well-chosen, relevant quotations and examples, but they may not be sufficient.

You include a quote that has not been carefully selected or appropriately shortened or appropriately incorporated.

You do not include any direct quotations.

Analysis (RI.2)

You precisely explain how the details both represent an example of a motif/symbol and how the theme is expressed through the use of this example

You adequately explain how the details both represent an example of a motif/symbol and how the theme is expressed through the use of this example

You may explain how the details represent an example of a motif/symbol OR how the theme is expressed through the use of this example

Your explanation paraphrases the example but does not show how the theme is expressed through the use of this example.

You offer little to no explanation of an example.

Common Core Standards:

CC.9-10.R.I.2 Key Ideas and Details: Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

CC.9-10.W.1.a Text Types and Purposes: Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

CC.9-10.W.2.b Text Types and Purposes: Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.