In a three-to-five page research paper (750-1250 words) referencing at least two pieces of literary criticism, please analyze the significance of the seven elements of fiction—plot, character, setting, point of view, style, theme, and symbolism—for either, Dreaming in Cuban, by Cristina Garcia, or Funny in Farsi, by Firoozeh Dumas.

In a three-to-five page research paper (750-1250 words) referencing at least two pieces of literary criticism, please analyze the significance of the seven elements of fiction—plot, character, setting, point of view, style, theme, and symbolism—for either, Dreaming in Cuban, by Cristina Garcia, or Funny in Farsi, by Firoozeh Dumas. To help you understand better The Seven Elements of Fiction, go to the Bedford/St. Martin’s website: Elements of Fiction (Links to an external site.). The link is posted here, and it should be listed in your “Works Cited” as one of your sources– although it cannot count as one of your two minimum sources of literary criticism. In other words, this reference should be in addition to the other sources of literary criticism you consult to understand better the author, novel, culture, context, and/or genre.

You will want to treat each element fully and persuasively, citing concrete evidence from the novel to support your ideas. Claims should be well-reasoned and supported, engaging and insightful, deep and compelling. Your essay should have an inviting introduction and a satisfying conclusion with strong and varied sentence structure. Transitions should help with fluidity and coherence. Grammar and usage should contribute to the overall meaning of the piece. Please limit your quotations to no more than 10% of the entire essay, with your voice driving the essay. Cite all sources using MLA format correctly. Please double-space your essay.

Your essay will be evaluated in terms of content (the thoughts, ideas, reasoning, logic, and originality of the piece), organization (the internal structure of the piece), style (the way the words and phrases flow throughout the text), grammar (the grammatical correctness of the piece), and MLA format (the correct and full documentation of the sources in the work). Each of the criteria evaluated will be worth 20 points for a 100 point total.

View the full, detailed rubric for this assignment: Writing Rubric for ENG 15View in a new window

Name: _______________________________ Score: ________________________

Writing Rubric for English 15: Based on Scholastic Teaching Resources

12-13 (D)
EXPERIMENTING 14-15 (C)
DEVELOPING 16-17 (B)
EFFECTIVE 18-20 (A)
STRONG
CONTENT: The thoughts, ideas, reasoning, logic, and originality of the piece

• Significant ideas are misrepresented
• Many parts are inaccurate and weak
• Significant sections are poorly-reasoned and not supported
• Uninteresting and common
• Shallow and dull • Some ideas are relevant and unique
• Some ideas are accurate but weak
• Not always well-reasoned and supported
• Only occasionally engaged and insightful
• Rarely deep and compelling • Many ideas are relevant and unique
• Mostly accurate and strong
• Mostly well-reasoned and supported
• Mostly engaging and insightful
• At times, deep and compelling • Ideas are relevant and unique
• Accurate and strong
• Well-reasoned and supported
• Engaging and insightful
• Deep and compelling
ORGANIZATION:
The internal structure of the piece • No lead or conclusion
• Sequencing and pacing not present
• Connections are confusing or not present
• Hard to follow • Ineffective lead and conclusion
• Sequencing and spacing confusing
• Connections awkward
• Formulaic structure detracts from content • Routine lead and conclusion
• Mostly logical sequencing and spacing
• Predictable connections
• Basic beginning, middle, ending • Inviting introduction and satisfying conclusion
• Effective sequencing and pacing
• Thoughtful transitions
• Smooth organization
STYLE:
The way the words and phrases flow throughout the text • Choppy, rambling, or incomplete
• No “sentence sense”
• Oral reading difficult
• Repetitive beginnings • Phrasing affects readability
• Sentence structure impairs understanding
• Parts invite oral reading
• Too many sentences begin the same way • Sentences more mechanical than fluid
• Sentences usually hang together
• Can be read aloud easily
• Sentences begin differently • Easy flow and rhythm
• Strong and varied sentence structure
• Invites expressive reading
• Overall sentence structure enhances meaning
GRAMMAR: The mechanical correctness of the piece • Spelling errors impede readability
• Incorrect punctuation and capitalization
• Many usage and grammar errors
• Lack of paragraphing • Spelling correct on common words
• End punctuation and easy capitalization mostly correct
• Grammar errors not serious
• Paragraphing irregular • Spelling generally correct
• Punctuation and capitalization usually correct
• Grammar and usage are correct
• Paragraphing correct • Spelling correct even on more difficult words
• Accurate punctuation and capitalization
• Grammar and usage contribute to clarity
• Paragraphing enhances style
MLA FORMAT: The correct and full documentation of sources in the work • 20% or more quoted material.
• Citations are incomplete and inaccurate
• Most sources are missing
• “Works Cited” is attached with major errors and omissions • 15%-19% quoted material.
• Significant citations are missing and/or inaccurate
• Some sources missing
• “Works Cited” is attached with significant errors • 11-14% quoted material.
• Citations are mostly complete and accurate
• Most sources are cited
• “Works Cited” is attached with minor formatting errors • 10% or less quoted material.
• Citations are complete and accurate
• All sources are cited
• “Works Cited” is attached and properly formatted
Additional Problems:
The work submitted scored below “12 points” on one or more of the categories and is not at college level.

The work submitted scored a “Zero” for plagiarism.