English 1

1st Semester Performance Task

This semester we have studied many individuals who have had to make difficult decisions and
deal with the consequences from decisions they have made. In a well-developed essay, describe
two choices made by characters we have discussed and judge whether or not the character
made the right choice.
You should discuss the following: the context of the characters choice, the characters
motivation for his or her choice, and the impact the choice had on the characters life and other
characters.
You can discuss the choices of any character from this semester, but you must discuss at least
one choice made by a character in To Kill a Mockingbird. You must also use a quote from one
of the articles we read in class.
Other sources that can be used
1. The Most Dangerous Game
2. The Cask of Amontillado
3. The Scarlet Ibis
You will complete an outline before writing the essay as an in class essay. You will be able to use
the outline and your book while you write your essay.
Points:
Outline- 10 points
In class essay- 25 points
Due Date:
December 13th- write in class essay and turn in outline
Essay Outline
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, copy down all the bold words. Then, write down what
you will include for each part of the essay. You do not need to write in complete sentences. You
will use this outline to organize your in class essay.
Introduction Paragraph:
1. Hook
a. Good ideas for a hook: a quote, a general statement, shocking information, or a
question about the topic.
b. A quote from one of the articles would be good for a hook
2. Connecting Sentence
a. Connect the hook to the rest of your introduction by explaining it
3. Basic information

a. State which stories you are including in your essay and the authors
4. Thesis Statement
a. State which characters you will discuss in the order you will discuss them
i. Example: Atticus and the narrator from The Scarlet Ibis all had to made
difficult choices and deal with the consequences.
Body Paragraph 1: 1st Character
1. Topic sentence: State the topic of the paragraph- the 1st character and the decision they
made. Include a transition word.
2. Explanation: Explain the context of the characters choice and the characters motivation
for making the choice
3. Quote: You must use a quote from an article once in the essay. Quotation marks around
quote. Parenthesis with authors last name and page number after quote.
4. Commentary: Explain the quote. Why is it important, who says it, who do they say it to?
5. Commentary: What specifically does the quote show? How does the quote support your
body paragraph topic?
6. Explanation: Explain the impact the choice had on the characters life.
7. Concluding Sentence: State if the character made the right choice and why or why not.
Body Paragraph 2: 2nd Character
1. Topic sentence: State the topic of the paragraph- 2nd character and the decision they
made. Include a transition word.
2. Explanation: Explain the context of the characters choice and the characters motivation
for making the choice
3. Quote: You must use a quote from an article once in the essay. Quotation marks around
quote. Parenthesis with authors last name and page number after quote.
4. Commentary: Explain the quote. Why is it important, who says it, who do they say it to?
5. Commentary: What specifically does the quote show? How does the quote support your
body paragraph topic?
6. Explanation: Explain the impact the choice had on the characters life.
7. Concluding Sentence: State if the character made the right choice and why or why not.
Conclusion Paragraph:
1. Restate: Restate thesis statement from introductory paragraph. Briefly summarize each
body paragraph topic.
2. Tie to the bigger picture: Connect the ideas presented in your essay to your life, the
world, etc.