Learning Objective
This assignment corresponds with the course learning outcome for students to be able to Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of styles and rhetorical modes in memoir.
Overview of Assignment
Students will choose two excerpts from our class readings to compare in a short essay. These can be two excerpts they like, or that resonate with them, or two that they do not like or do not think successful. These comparisons will focus on the voice, perspective, characterisation, and intention of the two excerpts they have chosen. We will outline and model this assignment in class.
Students must hand in a comparison and critique of two of the excerpts we have read in class, identifying the literary tools and techniques used in these writers’ pieces, and giving constructive suggestions for how these two pieces complement each other.
Your comparison is a chance for you to discuss your thoughts about two memoir excerpts in detail. You should include a short summary of the pieces, mentioning themes and main ideas and impressions. Your aim is to discuss what works well in the pieces, and what important ideas are raised. You should try to mention at least one theory or theorist in this piece.
You will need a short introduction telling us about the pieces, and a short conclusion explaining what links them. I expect to see a thesis statement. Finally, try to comment on the techniques we have discussed in class (such as conflict, the body, figurative language etc.).
If you are unsure of how to begin, or what information to include in your comparison, then you can use these questions for guidance:
- How do the memoirs begin?
- What is their structure?
- Do the authors employ engaging and creative language choices?
- What are the basic plots? What are the narrative engines?
- What do we learn about the narrators?
- What is the purpose of the pieces?
- What is the setting?
- How are the two pieces similar, and how are they different?
Final assignments must be:
- 1,100 – 1,400 words, including a short introduction and a conclusion
- Typed, Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font
- Submitted on Canvas before class time on the due date
Comparison Paper Rubric
| Element | Excellent | Needs Improvement | Weak | Points | ||
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
|
Summary
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The writer explains the themes, content and nature of the work being discussed in clear detail. | The writer does not clearly explain what the piece is about nor why it has been chosen. | Little to no attempt has been made to summarise or explain the reasons behind the choice. | |||
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Analysis
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The writers discusses tool and techniques from our class and explains how they are used in thenarrative. | There is some logical sequence of information.
Organizational elements are present though not entirely effective. |
There is little or no logical analysis of the writing tools and techniques discussed in class. | |||
|
Language
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Spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation are accurate.
Fluent and effective writing style. |
There are minor problems in spelling, grammar, usage, and/or punctuation. Writing may be somewhat awkward. | There are persistent errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and/or punctuation.
Sentence level readability is very low. |
|||
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Support
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The writer uses many specific examples from the memoir to explain their ideas. | Some parts are confusing, incomplete, or otherwise flawed. | Includes little essential information.
Information and story development are weak. |
|||
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Suggestions
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The writer suggests a number of ways in which the narratives are similar and how they are different, paying close attention to themes and ideas. | The writer suggests only minor similarities or differences. | The writer does not suggest similarities or differences. | |||
| Score = | /20 | |||||
| Total Score =
Percentage = |
/20
% |
