Due 4/6: Siddhartha

1. Siddhartha–Read and annotate the chapter Kamala.

2. (Due Friday, 4/7) The Alchemist Essay (2 pages)

I would strongly encourage you to work on this sooner rather than later.

ANYTHING OVER 2 PAGES WILL NOT BE READ. Make every word, every sentence, every paragraph count! Be sure to print out and read the rubric closely. This is a close-reading essay, meaning you should focus on one or two very specific aspects of the novel and build your argument only around that. For instance:

  • Symbolism of the sheep
  • The dichotomy of the old woman and the old man
  • Nameless characters
  • Symbolism of the oasis
  • The role of the Crystal Merchant
  • The role of fate (keeping in mind the great lie)
  • Symbolism of the desert
  • Etc…

You have just one draft for this essay: the final draft. Any prewriting and editing along the way is up to you. This 2 page essay gives me an opportunity to see just what you have learned thus far this year. So, I expect to see the following:

  • Necessary intro that prepares your thesis
  • Thesis that clearly articulates point(s) of analysis and a compelling/substantive argument
  • Topic sentences that clearly articulate an insightful assertion
  • Properly introduced evidence
  • Evidence that meaningfully illustrates/illuminates your point and is worth discussing.
  • Analysis that is focused on the evidence and is insightful/substantive.
  • A writing style that relies on active verbs and very few passive to be or to have verbs.
  • Structurally sound sentences.
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