· Tim O’Brien, “The Things They Carried” 

· Juan Rulfo, “Tell Them Not To Kill Me”

Compose a 750 to 1250 word essay using one of the following questions: 

1. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that share a similar theme. Explain how this theme appears in each of the stories you selected, using specific examples from each work.

2. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that share a similar theme. Explain how in each of the stories you selected the setting allows for the exploration of the theme you selected.

3. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that have different points of view (first-person vs. third-person, etc). Explain how in each of the stories you selected its point of view might influence the reader’s interpretation of the story.

4. Identify two assigned short stories from Modules 2 and 3 that contain dominant symbols. Provide an interpretation of those symbols and explain how they are related to another literary element of the story, such as character, setting, or theme.

Successfully completing this assignment will involve constructing an overall thesis for your essay that addresses one of the prompts above and then using quotations and references to specific scenes from the works you select as evidence to support your argument. Reference the Writer’s Workshops in Modules 1, 2, and 3 for helpful advice about constructing literary arguments as well as using MLA format for your essay, citations, and references.

Introduction

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10 pts

Clearly provides all necessary information and sets   expectations.

8 pts

Minor lack or excess of information; minor lack of clarity.

6 pts

Confusing, vague or lacking.

10 pts

Body Structure

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10 pts

Paragraphs consistently meet expectations; transitions very   clear.

8 pts

1-3 lapses in paragraphs; 1-3 problems with transitions.

6 pts

So many lapses in paragraphs or problems with transitions that   comprehension is difficult.

10 pts

Conclusion

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10 pts

Ends paper with powerful impact; creates a fully satisfying   sense of completion.

8 pts

Ending works, but may be weak or does not create a good sense   of completion.

6 pts

Weak, confusing or missing ending.

10 pts

Content

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30 pts

Paper carefully and thoroughly responds to the topic,   discusses both works intelligently and compares and contrasts them   effectively.

24 pts

Paper adequately responds to the topic; length is adequate to   address the topic; there is discussion of two works of literature.

18 pts

Paper does not respond effectively to the topic; length is   insufficient to adequately address the topic; discussion of one work missing   or incomplete.

30 pts

Writing Style

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15 pts

Pleasing variety of sentence constructions; always effective   and appropriate brevity, use of parallelism and/or poetic effects.

12 pts

Relatively few minor errors.

9 pts

Errors detract significantly from comprehension or create   significant distractions.

15 pts

Grammar

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10 pts

Few to no errors (1% or less of assignment word total).

8 pts

Some errors (less than 5% of word total).

6 pts

Errors detract significantly from comprehension.

10 pts

Sources

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15 pts

Sources interspersed with writer’s own analysis or synthesis;   quotes are less than 10% of paper; 1-5 minor errors in documentation.

12 pts

Sources interspersed with writer’s own work; quotes are less   than 20% of paper; more than 5 minor errors in documentation.

9 pts

Sources strung together with little of the writer’s own work;   quotes are 50% or more of paper; citations missing or with major errors;   plagiarism.

15 pts