Background: The Round House by Louise Erdrich is a novel about a young boy’s coming of age, about a sexual assault, about family dynamics, about Native American issues, and more. We have discussed many of these topics in class, and you have practiced creating your own questions.
Your Task: In a 7-8 page, double-spaced, typed essay, examine an issue of your choosing, using research to help you craft an argument about the novel. You can think about what the novel teaches us or shows us about your chosen topic.
Criteria for Success
Your essay should include a clear, arguable thesis statement about the novel that communicates your stance.
Your essay should be organized and flow from one paragraph to the next.
Your paragraphs should begin with a focused topic sentence, connecting back to the central idea and providing an idea for the paragraph.
Each paragraph should use plenty of specific information and explanation to develop your point.
Your information from the novel should be analyzed; you should summarize only to support a more general point.
You should include research from at least three sources; at least one of these should be literary. The literary source can include articles written about this book, about Erdrich’s other works, about other Native American literature, or even interviews with the author.
You should elaborate on any information used from outside sources (comment on your quotes rather than allowing others to speak for you).
Your sentences should be well crafted and clearly stated.
You should proofread your essay carefully checking for grammatical and surface errors.
You should include a Works Cited page (which does not count toward the suggested page limits).
Hints/Questions:
Develop a topic early so that you can track it throughout the novel
Look over Picking a Topic for more guidance
A commercial search engine such as Google will be insufficient for this task: search academic databases available via the CCSF or public library.
Remember the “so what?” factor—you are explaining not only what you see in the novel but also what you think is significant about those observations; how are these characters relevant to us? How do they help us understand something about the story, ourselves, others, or the world we live in?
Remember that you are still analyzing the novel. You are not writing an essay about coping with sexual assault, for example. Rather, you are writing what the novel can show us about coping with sexual assault.
You will most likely start with a broad topic and then narrow down to your argument. Choose a focus and make your thesis specific.
Always ask me if you have questions! I’m happy to help and am available via phone, Zoom, email, chat.
Due Dates (subject to change)
Topic identified: May 3
paragraph draft: May 10
Rough draft: May 17
Final draft due: Sunday May 22
Rubric
English 1B Rubric (2)
English 1B Rubric (2)
Criteria
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAssignment Fulfillment
Did the essay fulfill the requirements of the writing task?
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis
Does the thesis statement do more than summarize the play, providing some sort of critical analysis? Does it match the rest of the essay? Are there ideas in the essay that are not reflected in the thesis?
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization/Focus
The body paragraphs are organized strategically. Each one starts with an arguable topic sentence, summing up the point of the paragraph.
The sentences in paragraphs are related to the Point expressed in the topic sentence
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeInformation
There are enough specific details to support the point; citations are done correctly
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeElaboration/Critical Analysis
There is enough Elaboration to support the Point, providing critical analysis, commenting on the information
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSentence Style/Grammar
Do the sentences flow well? Does the writer join sentences to show relationships between ideas? Is there sentence variety? Are sentences written according to the conventions of standard written English?
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProofreading
Is the essay proofread paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling?