Bronx Masquerade Essay
Bronx Masquerade Essay
Date: Bronx Masquerade Final In-Class Essay Due: Monday, November 28, 2011
Period:
Your Objectives (Goals): 1. 2. 3. 4. Demonstrate comprehension of plot, characters, and theme in Bronx Masquerade. Analyze literary elements in Bronx Masquerade. Connect Bronx Masquerade to contemporary (current) world problems. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the writing process.
Assignment Details: You will choose one of the three essay topics below. Regardless of your essay choice, your completed essay must meet the following requirements: o Be at least five (5) paragraphs long. o Include an introduction (1 paragraph), a body (3 paragraphs), and a conclusion (1 paragraph). o Be turned in with a graphic organizer (attached), rough draft, peer edit, and final copy. o Use at least THREE (3) quotes from the book. o Final draft must be in blue or black ink (ask me for a pen if you need one). Also, you may type your final copy if you have the resources at home to do so, but we will not have access to computers in class for this essay. Reflect responsible use of class time. Essay Choices: 1. Character Analysis: For this essay, you will choose one character from Bronx Masquerade and analyze that character. Your thesis statement (main idea) will make a statement, judgment, or argument about that character, and the body of your essay will support your thesis statement. a. Example Thesis: Porscha Johnson may be the last character we meet in Bronx Masquerade,
but she is the strongest. She is the strongest character because of how she changes throughout Mr. Wards class, how she copes with her mothers drug addiction and death, and how she conveys her feelings in her poetic letter.
2. Your Own Chapter in Bronx Masquerade: For this creative writing essay, you will write your own chapter of Bronx Masquerade. You will pretend you are a student in Mr. Wards class and write a chapter modeled after the novel. Your chapter must include the elements of chapters in the novel, such as observations/evaluations of other students in Mr. Wards class, analysis of a problem/challenge you face, what you want to become, and a poem at the end. 3. Book Review: For this essay choice, you will make either a positive or negative recommendation of this book to others. Your introduction must include a brief summary of the novel. Your thesis will include an overall statement about the book, whether people should read it, and three reasons to support your recommendation. a. Example Thesis: Bronx Masquerade tells the story of one classroom in the Bronx, New
York. It details the lives of students facing challenges with identity and success. I recommend this book to teenagers because its interesting, it includes colorful poetry, and it teaches people to always persevere.
Thursday, November 17: Essay is assigned. Select topic, start graphic organizer.
HOMEWORK: Complete graphic organizer. WRITING Friday, November 18: Graphic organizer DUE (checked off). Begin writing first draft. HOMEWORK: Complete first draft. REVISING/EDITING Monday, November 21: Peer Review Day if you are not here, you will have to arrange for someone to review your paper on your own time. Tuesday, November 22: Peer Review/Writing Final Draft PUBLISHING Wednesday, November 23: Writing Final Draft HOMEWORK: Complete a polished final draft to be turned in after Thanksgiving Break. DUE: Monday, November 28, 2010