NAME:

Grade and Class Grade 7

Title Literary Essay: Themes from The
Giver
Subject Language A: English
Statement of The conflict between conformity and individual identity is
Inquiry an important theme.
Inquiry What are the important parts of a literary essay?
Questions What makes an effective community?
Is it more important to be an individual or to conform?

Instructions:
Your purpose:

As you would have learnt in class, The Giver deals with some very powerful
and complex themes.

The purpose of this assignment is to show your knowledge of a chosen

theme and how it was presented in The Giver.

Pick ONE essay prompt to write your essay on:

A. Explain what The Giver teaches readers about the
importance of individuality and making choices.
B. Explain what The Giver teaches readers about the
difficulties of creating and maintaining a ‘perfect
society’.
C. Explain what The Giver teaches readers about
communities.

Your audience:
Your teacher
Your format:
Your assignment will be a formal, literary, ‘five-paragraph’ essay.
 Assessment Criteria
What strands will be used to
assess me?
Criterion A - Analysing
 provides perceptive identification
and explanation of the themes from
the text and explains the
relationships among the themes and
the text thoughtfully
 provides perceptive identification
and explanation of the literary effects
of the creator’s choices in presenting
the theme.
 gives detailed justification of
opinions and ideas with a range of
examples and thorough explanations;
uses accurate terminology
Criterion B – Organising
 makes sophisticated use of
organizational structures that serve
the context and intention effectively
 effectively organizes opinions and
ideas in a coherent and logical
manner, with ideas building on each
other in a sophisticated way
Criterion D Using Language
 effectively uses a range of
appropriate vocabulary, sentence
structures and forms of expression
 writes in a consistently appropriate
register and style that serve the
context and intention
 uses grammar, syntax and
punctuation with a high degree of
accuracy; errors are minor and
communication is effective
 writes with a high degree of
accuracy; errors are minor and
communication is effective
How can I get the best mark in
each criterion? Use this checklist
to help you.
 Detailed justification of opinions and
ideas related to the chosen theme.
 Quotes from the text when appropriate.
 Literary devices(terminology) used to
explore the theme – motifs, symbols,
figurative language, etc.
 A lot of relevant evidence about
characters, events, and conflicts in the
novel that relate to the topic
 Clear explanation that is relevant to the
topic.
 Clear introductory and concluding
paragraphs.
 Logical progression of ideas and use of
paragraph structure.
 Clear topic sentences that relate to your
topic.
 Linking, or concluding sentences at the
end of paragraphs.
 Linking language used throughout to
help with organization.
 Engaging opening
 Thoughtful ending
 Formal register and tone.
 Appropriate transitional words or
phrases.
 Correct spelling, sentence structure, and
punctuation.
 Specific and complex vocabulary.
 Varied sentences and punctuation.