Kayley Tierney

English 11
Short Story Writing Assignment

To conclude our short story unit, you will be constructing a 3-4

page Compare/Contrast essay. All three of the stories we’ve
read have a common thread of generational conflict, but have their differences as well.
Your paper will explore 2 comparisons and 1 set of contrasting ideas using one of the
structures we’ve discussed in class.

You must use 2 of the following texts: Remember not to “dump” textual evidence!

● “Pigeons” by Torres Lead In Quote Follow Up!

● “Simple Arithmetic” by Moriconi
● “The Boy Without a Flag” by Rodriguez

Consider:
● setting
○ geographical, time period, lifestyle, character age
● cultural contexts
● character evolution
○ protagonists, secondary, parents
● literary elements (think of how the writer uses them to convey various points)
● writing and executing a strong thesis

You’ll be completing a graphic organizer before beginning your first draft to help you
envision where your paper may go. I’ve attached two options, but if you have another
way that works for you please see me.

Dates to Remember: Grade Breakdown:

Organizer Due: 3/7 Organization/Structure: 20%
Peer Editing: 3/16 Command of Evidence: 20%
Due Date: 3/23 Style/Mechanics: 20%
Format: 20%
Requirements:
3-4 pages
MLA format
Category 4 3
The paper breaks the
Organization
information into whole-
and Structure to-whole, similarities to
differences, or point-by-
point structure. It follows
a consistent order when
discussing the
comparison.
Central claims are well
Command of
supported by textual
evidence evidence. Use of relevant
evidence is sustained
through the entire
analysis. The core
reasoning follows from
evidence.
Style is confident,
Style &
readable and rhetorically
Mechanics effective in tone,
incorporating varied
sentence structure,
precise word choice and
correct grammar,
spelling and punctuation.
(Mastery of style)
Completion of Organizer: 10%
Peer Editing Participation: 10%
2 1
The paper breaks the The paper breaks the Many details are not
information into whole- information into in a logical or
to-whole, similarities to whole-to-whole, expected order.
differences, or point-by- similarities to There is little sense
point structure. It does differences, or point- that the writing is
not follow a consistent by-point structure, organized.
order when discussing but some
the comparison. information is in the
wrong section. Some
details are not in a
logical or expected
order, which
distracts the reader.
Central claims are well Central claim is only Demonstrates some
supported by textual partially supported comprehension of
evidence. Use of by textual evidence. the idea of evidence,
relevant evidence is Analysis is but only supports
generally sustained occasionally the claim with
with some gaps. The supported with minimale evidence
core reasoning follows significant gaps or which is generally
from evidence. misinterpretation. invalid or
The core reasoning is irrelevant.
tangential or invalid
with respect to the
evidence.
Style is readable and Style is readable, but Style is incoherent
rhetorically effective in unremarkable in or inappropriate in
tone, incorporating tone, sometimes tone, including a
varied sentence including a lack of lack of sentence
structure, effective sentence variety variety, ineffective
word choice, and effective word or inappropriate
correct grammar, choice, or some word choice, and
spelling and distracting, but not serious errors in
punctuation. (Effective serious, errors in grammar, spelling
style) grammar, spelling and punctuation.
and punctuation. (Ineffective style)
(Readable but
inconsistent style)
 Format is correct, meets Format is correct, meets Format is mostly Format is faulty,
Format
all assignment directions, all assignment correct, meets does not meet
and works expertly to directions, and works critical aspects of sufficient aspects of
support the essay’s generally to support the assignment the assignment
purpose/plan. essay’s purpose/plan. directions, and works direction, and does
mostly to support the not support the
essay’s purpose/ essay’s purpose/
plan. plan.

Organizer is complete Organizer is filled in, Organizer is filled in Organizer is

Graphic
with complete details but lacking complete with some scarcely filled in,
Organizer from both of the texts, details, includes one incomplete details, little to no effort
and includes at least one piece of evidence from allusions to evidence shown.
piece of textual evidence the text. are made but it is not
from each story. concretely there.

Graphic Organizers:

https://hip-books.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Double-Bubble-Graphic-Organizer.pdf

https://hip-books.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/COMPARE-AND-CONTRAST-CHART.pdf