The Once and Future King: Essay Prompts for In-Class Essay

  • Due Aug 23, 2016 by 11:59pm
  • Points 100
  • Submitting a file upload

On Tuesday, in class, you will be composing an essay that address ONE of the following two prompts. You may use your journal writes from over the summer to help inform your essay. You may also organize your essay at home (over the weekend) and use any preparation you’ve completed as you complete the assignment.

Prompt #1

  • H. White’s novel, The Once and Future King, deals with the theme of power and justice as young Arthur takes on the role of King of England. Arthur’s quest becomes his attempt to replace “might versus right” with the practice of chivalry through a compassionate monarchy. To what extent are T.H. White’s ideas relevant to contemporary political systems? Would modern leaders benefit from examining Arthurian ideas and philosophies?
  • Organizational Considerations:
  1. How will you break this down?
  2. How will you tie TOAFK to contemporary politics?

Prompt #2

  • H. White’s novel, The Once and Future King, follows the life and challenges of young Wart as he evolves from boy to King of England. As with all Hero’s Journey quests, he responds to a “Call to Adventure”, he must complete myriad tests of courage and character, and he ultimately must use his hard-earned wisdom for the benefit of others and for no personal gain. Using your journal writes to inform your essay, explain how Wart’s evolution over the course of the novel aligns with the Hero’s Journey. Come to a conclusion as to whether his journey is better suited to an earlier time or whether it continues to provide a model for leaders in today’s modern world.
  • Organizational Considerations:
  1. How will you break this down?
  2. How will you tie TOAFK to contemporary politics?

Download TOAFK prompt 2016.docx

Attached below is a link to an "essay organizer". Before you begin composing your essay, you should know what you want to argue--Thesis. You should also have three ideas--claims-- that will strongly support your thesis. You should have ideas of what your analysis/beliefs will focus on. 

  Download Generic essay outliner.docx

1472021999 08/23/2016 11:59pm

Rubric

Keep in mind that 54 students have already been assessed using this rubric. Changing it will affect their evaluations.
Literary Analysis Rubric II
Literary Analysis Rubric II
Criteria Ratings Pts
Thesis / Focus
threshold: pts
Edit criterion description
20 pts Advanced-Thesis and claims are insightful and create a focus for the essay.
17 pts Thesis and claims adequately address the prompt and organize the essay.
15 pts Basic-Thesis and claims partially address the prompt.
13 pts Below Basic-Thesis superficially address the prompt.
10 pts Far Below Basic-Thesis doesn't address the prompt.
pts
20 pts
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Additional Comments
Organization / Structure
threshold: pts
Edit criterion description
20 pts Advanced-Includes logical progression of ideas that develop the claims.
17 pts Proficient-Body paragraphs adequately support the thesis and claims.
15 pts Basic-Body paragraphs partially develop the claim and the progression of ideas is somewhat logical
13 pts Below Basic-Body paragraphs inadequately develop claims and the progression of ideas is uneven.
10 pts Far Below Basic-Body paragraphs fail to develop claims with little or no organization of ideas.
pts
20 pts
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Additional Comments
Evidence / Support
threshold: pts
Edit criterion description
20 pts Advanced-Provides substantial and well-chosen evidence that is seamlessly woven in to the argument.
17 pts Proficient-Provides adequate and relevant evidence to support claims with clear lead-ins.
15 pts Basic-Provides some evidence that is somewhat connected to the claims but lacks adequate lead-ins.
13 pts Below Basic-Provides minimal or irrelevant evidence to support claims without lead-ins or context.
10 pts Far Below Basic-Provides irrelevant, little, or no evidence.
pts
20 pts
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Additional Comments
Analysis
threshold: pts
Edit criterion description
20 pts Advanced-Shows insightful understanding of text and uses persuasive reasoning to connect evidence to claims.
17 pts Proficient-Shows competent understanding of topic/text to logically connect evidence with claims.
15 pts Basic-Shows superficial understanding of topic/text with limited reasoning to connect evidence with claims.
13 pts Below Basic-Shows limited or flawed understanding of topic/text with simplistic or illogical reasoning.
10 pts Far Below Basic-Shows no understanding of topic/text. Lacks reasoning.
pts
20 pts
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Additional Comments
Voice / Style
threshold: pts
Edit criterion description
10 pts Advanced-Uses varied sentence structure and advanced academic vocabulary.
9 pts Proficient-Uses correct and varied sentence structure with appropriate academic vocabulary.
7 pts Basic-Uses mostly correct and some varied sentence structure and academic vocabulary.
6 pts Below Basic-Uses limited or repetitive sentence structure with little academic or appropriate vocabulary.
5 pts Far Below Basic-Lacks sentence mastery and fails to use academic vocabulary.
pts
10 pts
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Additional Comments
Mechanics / Proofreading
threshold: pts
Edit criterion description
10 pts Advanced-Is nearly error free (grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization)
9 pts Proficient-Contains few minor errors (grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization)
7 pts Basic-Contains some errors which may cause confusion (grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization)
6 pts Below Basic-Contains numerous errors in conventions which cause confusion (grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization).
5 pts Far Below Basic-Contains serious errors that cause confusion (grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization)
pts
10 pts
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Additional Comments
Total Points: 100 out of 100