Name:

Class:

WRITING

Are These Characters Unlike What They Seem? Context: David Gibson, a theater critic, explained that in Shakespeares time, The simple people demanded that men and women should be what they seemed: The beautiful and the rich should be good, the deformed should be perverted, the black-skinned should be blackhearted. Accordingly, theater goers were terribly fascinated by the fact that so many of Shakespeares characters could be, inside, so unlike what they seemed. Directions: Consider Gibsons quote above. How does this quote apply or not apply to one character in Act I or Act II of Othello? Carefully choose a quote from the play and explain how it proves your thesis. Write a conclusion that says what you think about both the Othello quote, the character you choose, and the David Gibson quote.
Pay attention to any or all of the following: Introduction Mini Paragraph (2-3 sentences): Your general thesis statement and specific thesis statement need to include a SO WHAT? Body Paragraph: Begins with a topic sentence. Your quote from the play will be your proof. This is where you will explain your character using concrete evidence about him/her in Acts I and II. Conclusion (2-3 sentences): Your conclusion will restate your thesis, and then connect Gibsons quote to our world in 2013.

Othello Writing Assignment 1

Your mini-essay must be no more than 1 page, following all MLA formatting rules. When your mini-essay is completed, edited, and in final form, you will mark: 1. The thesis 2. The quote and citation 3. The commentary that connects to your thesis 4. The conclusion You may highlight or underline these components in different colors, or you may number the components as they are listed above. First Draft of Your Mini-Essay is Due: Day 2, Week of February 11 ________________ Final Draft of Your Mini-Essay is Due: Day 3, Week of February 11 _________________

Please see your grading rubric on the back of this page.

Grading Rubric: Othello Writing Assignment 1 Excellent! Mini-Essay chooses significant character and makes compelling connection to the quote; chooses compelling quotation from the play as proof, commentary is substantial and demonstrates depth of thought, originality, and significance of the character within the play. Mini-Essay includes 3 sentences of a compelling introduction/thesis, topic sentence with a claim and reintroduction of the example, ample commentary builds an overall argument to support the thesis & connect to quote, and 3 concluding sentences. Good Mini-Essay chooses specific character and makes adequate connection to the quote; chooses adequate quotation from the play as proof, commentary is adequate and demonstrates depth of thought and significance of the character within the play in some places. Mini-Essay includes 2-3 sentences of an introduction/thesis, topic sentence with claim and reintroduction of the example, adequate commentary that builds an overall argument to support the thesis & connect to quote, and 23 concluding sentences. Some errors in formal grammar, spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization. Errors are not distracting to the reader. Quotation cited with mostly correct punctuation. Room for Improvement Mini-Essay chooses character but may make loose connection to the quote; chooses insufficient quotation from the play as proof, commentary is rational in thought but may be superficial and/or not show enough depth about significance of character Mini-Essay includes 2 sentences of an introduction/thesis, topic sentence may not make a claim or re-introduce the example, commentary that may need to make stronger connection to the thesis & quote, and 23 concluding sentences. A number of errors in formal grammar, spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization. Errors may be distracting to the reader at times. Quotation cited, but without proper punctuation. Yikes! Come see Ms. Peterson ASAP Mini-Essay shows little to no connection to quote; chooses no or inadequate quotation from the play, commentary may not be rational in thought and/or connection to play, may show depth of thought in too many areas Mini-Essay may be missing one or more of the following: 1-2 sentences of an introduction/thesis, topic sentence, claim, or re-introduction of example, commentary that may need to make stronger connection to the thesis & quote, and 23 concluding sentences. A number of errors in formal grammar, spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization. Errors are typically distracting to the reader. Quotation not cited.

Character Nomination and Analysis

Components of the Mini-Essay

Mechanics

Few to no errors in formal grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Quotation cited with correct punctuation.

Includes Rough Draft: _____ / 1 point Attention to MLA Formatting: Heading order/Left-aligned: ___/ point Title: ____/ point Date: ____/ point Last Name/Page # in Upper Right: ___/ point Times New Roman Font: ___/ point Double-Spaced: ____/ point

Total: _________ / 16 Writing Points