Advanced English 9

 

First Writing Assignment:

Cultural Differences and Universal Beliefs

Studying world literature invites you to explore the ways in which human identity and cultural expressions are different and alike. The following writing assignment is the first part of this process. You will write the rough drafts of two short compositions, then select one to revise and edit.

First composition: Your cultural identity and connections to other cultures. You will write a paragraph on each of the following topics (for a total of two paragraphs). You may ask a family member for help if you need more information. The questions are to help you get started; you don’t need to answer every one.

1. Describe your own cultural identity. You may rarely think about having a cultural identity because it’s so much a part of who you are that you don’t even notice it. What is your family’s ethnic or racial heritage? What is the history of your family’s connection to specific geographical places and to national and social groups? What are the basic beliefs and values of your family? of your friends? How do you define your cultural identity? What are your basic values and beliefs?

2. Describe your connections to other cultures. What experiences have you had with people of other cultural backgrounds? Do you know people of different religions? Have you met or visited people from other parts of the United States or from another country? Have you observed cultural differences or characteristics when you traveled to other parts of the United States or to other countries? Does your family have relatives or friends from other countries? Do you? How do you feel about people who are different from you?

Due:

 

Second Composition: Your place in the universe. For this composition, you will write at least 8-10 sentences based on the following steps:

1. Go outside after it is dark and look up into the night sky. If you’d like, bring a friend or family member along for discussion. Try to find a place where you can see at least a few stars. (If it’s raining, you may have to imagine the stars—or contemplate thunder and lightning instead.) Think about the nature of the universe and discuss your thoughts with your partner.

2. Think about the great distances you see and the mystery of endless space. What does it all mean? What is your view of the nature of the universe? Imagine what it must have been like for ancient humans to look upon the same scene. If you were like them, without scientific understanding of space, what would you see? Let your thoughts wander and watch what ideas, thoughts, or scenes appear in your mind unexpectedly.

3. Come back inside and write down all the you remember about what you thought about or talked about while you were outside. Write at least 8 sentences.

Due:

Revision: Your favorite composition. Read over the two compositions you’ve written. Choose the one you like best and write another draft. You can change it or add to it. Try to include as many specific details as possible. Give your essay a descriptive title. Type it if you possibly can; both typed and handwritten essays should be double spaced. Once it’s in relatively final form, go over it and correct any errors in spelling and punctuation.

Turning it in: Staple in your work in the following order: this assignment sheet, the final draft of your composition, the rough draft of that composition, and the rough draft of the other composition. Your work should be stapled and ready to hand in before class starts.

Due:

 

RUBRIC

Name _______________________________________________

Period ____

This essay is worth 100 points and will be graded according to the following rubric. Please turn in all your work with this rubric stapled on top. If you neglect to turn in your rubric, you will lose 5 points. Essays will lose 5 points for every day late, with a maximum penalty of 30 points. Essays not handed in at the beginning of class will count as late.

____ Interesting and thoughtful content (40 points)

--The author has included specific, relevant details.

--The author has responded thoughtfully to the topic.

____ Organization (20 points)

--All paragraphs include topics sentences that summarize the main idea.

--The author has double-spaced and included an original title.

____ Revision (20 points)

--The author has included rough drafts of the two compositions.

--The author has revised a rough draft to produce an improved final draft.

____ Proofreading for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation (20 points)

____ Total (100 points)

____ Grade