Minimum 2 Pages Typed, 2X Spaced, 12 Pt

The Alchemist Summative Essay

Minimum 2 pages typed, 2x spaced, 12 pt MLA heading and page numbers Title – your own title relating to your thesis Internal documentation Work cited

Looking through the archetypal lens, write an essay in which you explain: SO WHAT message, idea or meaning do you derive from this story? Be sure to support your answer with WHAT - evidence/examples from the text. Don't forget to explain HOW that evidence supports your interpretation. (Note: quoting particular passages is a great way to SHOW rather than TELL). Be sure to explain how and why this idea is the crucial idea of the novel. You may relate it to life, but the main focus should be on the text.

Your introduction must include an interesting opening, the title, author, brief summary or introduction to the novel, and a strong thesis. Do not include your supporting evidence in your introduction. Remember to use transitions between paragraphs and within the paragraph from sentence to sentence, especially before evidence. Close with a strong summary that ties back into your introduction and restates (in a different way) your thesis.

Helpful reminders: Do not use “you” or “I think” “I believe” etc. Embed quotes Use literary present tense Use specific language – avoid things, got, a lot, many, very Remember to submit to turnitin.com The Alchemist Essay Rubric

Each category will be graded on a 5-point scale:

5=Excellent 4=Good 3=Fair 2=Poor 1=Inadequate 0=No Attempt Made

1. _____ Paper begins with a formal literary attention-getting opener.

2. _____ Introduction contains an effective transition into the thesis.

3. _____ Paper contains a thesis statement that addresses the “so what” of the paper.

4. _____Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the evidence used in that paragraph, relating back to the thesis.

5. _____ Body paragraphs provide the best textual evidence which aligns with the central idea of the paper, supports the thesis, and is cited correctly (MLA format).

6. _____ Context is provided for evidence; quotes are integrated/embedded into the text to maintain a flow of ideas.

7. _____ Evidence is explained thoroughly, making a connection to the topic sentence and thesis statement.

8. _____ Each body paragraph concludes with a sentence tying the body paragraph back to the “so what” of the thesis.

9. _____ The conclusion refers back to the thesis idea of the paper and includes a concluding thought.

10. _____ Transitions are used to connect the main ideas of the paper.

11. _____The paper contains correct usage of spelling, grammar, and varied sentence structure.

12. _____ The paper contains high level vocabulary including literary terms that are appropriate for the paper (consider audience & purpose).

13. _____The paper follows the assignment requirements: Times New Roman size 12 pt. font, heading, typed, double spaced.

Total: ______/65