Below is a sample final exam.
Read and analyze the poem below. Then write a thesis-focused essay in which you explain how the poet uses particular elements to develop a theme. See the criteria for evaluation below.
The Turtle by Kay Ryan
Who would be a turtle who could help it?
A barely mobile hard roll, a four-oared helmet,
she can ill afford the chances she must take
in rowing toward the grasses that she eats.
Her tack is graceless, like dragging
a packing-case places, and almost any slope
defeats her modest hopes. Even being practical,
she's often stuck up to the axle on her way
to something edible. With everything optimal,
she skirts the ditch which would convert
her shell into a serving dish. She lives
below luck-level, never imagining some lottery
will change her load of pottery to wings.
Her only levity is patience,
the sport of truly chastened things.
Criteria for evaluation
Topic
|
|
the
writer chooses a significant, meaningful topic |
|
|
the
writer discusses 1-3 literary devices as part of the thesis |
|
|
the
writer shows how the author uses the devices to contribute to our
understanding of the poem's theme |
|
|
the
writer defines key terms, especially the theme |
|
|
the
writer has a clear, arguable thesis |
Development/Analysis
|
|
the
writer uses specific evidence from the text (quotations) to argue for the
thesis |
|
|
the
writer is logical in her assumptions about the text and has no factual
errors |
|
|
the
writer uses reason effectively to argue his points |
|
|
the
writer reinforces his thesis in each section |
Organization
|
|
the
writer divides the essay into paragraphs with topic sentences and uses
effective transitions to move between points |
|
|
the
writer’s ordering seems purposeful |
Sentence
Structure/Mechanics/Diction
|
|
the
writer uses a variety of effective, grammatically correct sentences |
|
|
the
writer stays in present tense and avoids needless shifts |
|
|
the
writer uses precise diction |
|
|
the
writer uses correct documentation and integrates quotations effectively |
Overall
Impression--
|
|
the
essay meets the requirements of the assignment |
|
|
the
essay achieves what it sets out to achieve |
FOR
HOMEWORK, POST AT A MINIMUM, AN OUTLINE, INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH, AND
ONE PARAGRAPH OF ANALYSIS. IF YOU
WANT TO POST MORE THAN ONE PARAGRAPH OF ANALYSIS, YOU MAY. THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST WEBCT GRADE.