Style and Craft

Have you ever wondered why William Shakespeare was known for writing plays and not novels? Have you ever wondered what a comedy written by Edgar Allen Poe would be like? Here is your chance to consider these questions and others concerning the style and craft of well-known authors throughout history. This semester, we have had the opportunity to read famous authors from the English canon. We spend a lot of time talking about the story that they tell, but not how it is told. In this comparison paper, you will be analyzing two pieces of work by the same author for the purposes of highlighting the style that they are known for.

Essay Prompt: Using two original texts by the same

author, identify the genre and style they are known for writing in. How does this style reflect their historical times and personal lives? Would this authors writing be different if they wrote in 2014? Answering all of these questions will require proper use of literary terms and textual support.

You may chose from the following authors: William Shakespeare Ray Bradbury Edgar Allen Poe Nathaniel Hawthorne F. Scott Fitzgerald

This essay is due in class on: _________________________________________________ My author choice is: _________________________________________________________ My alternative text is: ________________________________________________________

Grading Rubric:
Identifying Style Student uses proper literary terminology and textual evidence 5 to identify two examples of authors style. Student uses some proper literary terminology and 4 some textual evidence to identify two examples of authors style. Student identifies only one example or does not use textual 3 evidence for support. Historical Context Student effectively uses research and textual evidence to show the historical context of an authors work. Student uses research and textual evidence to show the historical context of an authors work. Contemporary Applications Student effectively and thoughtfully addresses how their author would write in 2014. Grammar and Mechanics Student has few or no grammar/ mechanic mistakes.

Student uses some Student addresses research and textual how their author evidence to show the would write in 2014. historical context of an authors work. Student uses only research or textual evidence to show the historical context of an authors work. Student does not make a reasonable argument for how their author would write in 2014. Student does not address how their author would write in 2014.

Student has a few grammar/mechanic mistakes.

Student does not use proper terminology or textual evidence 2 effectively.

Student uses Student does not use terminology or textual research or textual evidence incorrectly. evidence to show the 1 historical context of an authors work. Student does not address authors style. Student does not address the historical context of an authors work.

Grammar/mechanic mistakes take away from the students overall essay.

Student has numerous grammar/ mechanic mistakes.