Literary Analysis Assignment

Final Essay
Length: 3 pages
Due Date: TBD

As we have been working on reading The Black Cat by Edgar Allen Poe,
your final essay will give you the opportunity to analyze points from the short
story. You will be required to write a minimum of 3 pages double spaced. You
are required to use a minimum of three quotes/paraphrases from the short
story to support your point of analysis. You will have the option to choose
one of the following three prompts to focus on:

1. Reliable Vs. Unreliable Narrator:

Discuss the characteristics that the Narrator possesses that help you
draw conclusions to what type of narrator he is reliable Vs. unreliable.
Please support your reasoning with examples from the short story to
build on your ideas or concepts by using direct quotes or paraphrasing
while appropriately citing. Please remember that you must answer the
central question: Is the Narrator a reliable or unreliable narrator?

2. Guilt:
Discuss the challenges the Narrator faces throughout the short story
and if you see him as feeling guilty over his actions. If you think he
feels guilty, does he combat this sense of guilt? If you think he doesnt
care about what he did, how does this reflect on him or what type of
person do you think he is? Please cite specific examples from the short
story to support your points.

3. Sane Vs. Insane:

Do you think that the Narrator insane/crazy or completely sane? Please
cite specific examples to support your reasoning and explain how you
see this in the story.

Please remember to only choose one prompt to write on. You will be graded
on your ability to narrowly focus your essay in that you are able to write a
clear and cogent point that you will discuss throughout your essay.
Remember to organize your ideas understandably, offer support for your
points of analysis, use three quotes from the story, and always remember to
spellcheck your work before turning it in.
 Grading Rubric for Final Essay

Category Excellent (1) Good (2) Average (3) Below Average

(4)
Organizatio All ideas flow Connection Ideas are not Lack of
n and relate between ideas always linked, organization,
effectively to can be better put and the flow of and
the main point together ideas is awkward arrangement of
of the essay and choppy ideas is
confusing
Focus Ideas are Ideas are There is a sense Ideas are too
narrowed, and focused, but of a central broad and lacks
thesis is directly thesis could be point, yet ideas a clear central
expressed stated more are not fully point
directly focused
Mechanics Correct Minor Several Incorrect
grammar, grammatical, grammatical, grammar,
spelling, and spelling, and spelling, and spelling, and
punctuation punctuation punctuation punctuation
throughout errors mistakes throughout
essay essay
Analysis Interpretations Moderately Interpretations Interpretations
are strong, strong have potential, are clich and
unique, and are interpretations yet are too offer little to no
adequately that offer briefly explored insight into what
explored insightful details the work of
throughout the and explorations literature is
essay expressing
Support Strong Several points of Some supporting Supporting
supporting supporting explanations, yet details are only
explanations details offered these lack depth at surface level,
offered for each that reveal and development and fail to offer
point made understanding of support to
throughout the assignment and points being
essay reading made