past and present essay

ENG130 – Literature and Composition

Unit 8 Assignment

Essay for ENG 130: Distinguishing Between the Past and Present

Due 11:59 PM EST Sunday of Unit 8 Length and format: 2-3 pages. The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the 2-3 page length of the essay. It should also be double spaced, written in Times New Roman, and 12 font. Essay should conform to APA formatting and citation style. Some historians and literary figures will state that the same few stories are told and retold over and over again. Many modern writers will take their cues from stories that have been particularly effective in the past. How many times have you read or watched a story and thought this story has been done before? Indeed, one common critique with modern movies is that one effective movie gets made and then remade and then remade again. Can anything really be original and authentic then? This essay asks you to compare the start of an older play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, with a more modern adaption of Shakespeare’s work. Consider what movies, television shows, and modern plays have been based on the plays of Shakespeare. How essential is it that modern day writers use the work of past writers? The requirements for Essay 8 are:

• Create an argument for Shakespeare’s influence on current works of literature o Describe both the story in Hamlet and one modern representation of

Shakespeare’s work o Did the treatment of the story appeal to you more in either example?

• Analyze originality in both examples to develop support for your argument o Compare and contrast both examples o In what ways are both examples original and authentic?

• Support your argument with specific textual evidence and remember to include in-text citations and a corresponding References page

• Include an APA title page • Use the objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” etc.

Students: Be sure to read the criteria, by which your paper/project will be

evaluated, before you write, and again after you write. Past and Present Essay Rubric

0-4 5-10 11-15 16-20 Meets Assignment Requirements

Few assignment requirements are met.

Some assignment requirements are met.

Most assignment requirements are met.

Many to all assignment requirements are fully met.

Thesis Statement (Controlling Idea)

Thesis is confusing, vague or unclear. Thesis is loosely related to the paper or not present.

Thesis is attempted with little relation to the overall topic. Some supporting details missing.

Thesis is present and relates to the majority of the paper.

Thesis is organized and focused on the paper. It includes all main points and uses active voice to state the position.

Introduction Background details are a random collection of information, unclear, or not related to the topic. There may be no clear introduction and background details.

Introduction attempted explains the background, but may lack detail.

Introduction explains the background, including an overview of the essay’s main points.

Introduction uses interesting anecdotes, questions, or other information to build interest. Many to all main points are logically related and developed.

Conclusion Conclusion is unclear or only loosely related to content. May not summarize main points.

Conclusion is recognizable and re-states the thesis and main points.

Conclusion is clear and flows from the body of the paper and the thesis statement. Effectively re- states thesis and main points and may move toward potential, related concepts.

Conclusion is effective, clear, and organized. Draws information presented in the body and presents a new perspective, or potential solutions to the problems being discussed.

Organization, Structure, and Transitions

Many details are not in a logical or expected order. The writing is weak or

Writing may have some discernable organization, but may lack

Writing is organized. Details are placed in a logical order,

Writing is effective, purposeful, and well-organized. Main points are

inconsistent. Transitions between sentences or paragraphs may be missing or unclear.

transitions between sentences or paragraphs. Some details are not in a logical or expected order.

and some transitions are present at both sentence and paragraph levels.

covered in detail. Many to all transitions are designed to move the paper forward from thesis to conclusion.

Content, Argument, Analysis, and Purpose

The argument is not presented and/or the two examples are not analyzed.

The argument is presented with some information to support it, but parts of the argument still need to be clarified. Some elements of the examples could be better analyzed.

The argument in the essay is clear, well presented and features some examples from the text with specific analysis of both examples.

The argument in the essay is clear, well presented and features effective examples from the text with specific analysis of both examples.

Textual Support and Integration of Information

Very little textual support is given and integrated properly. Textual support may not relate to the thesis statement.

Some textual support is given and integrated properly. Topics are somewhat related to the thesis statement, but may lack evidence to support them.

At least three main points are present, although may not always relate to the thesis. Some integration of information is present.

Main points are well-developed, detailed, and directly related to the thesis. Thoroughly integrated information with a logical and consistent flow between ideas.

APA Format

Few APA conventions are followed, and may be incorrectly formatted.

Some APA conventions are followed, although not always correctly.

APA conventions followed with some errors evident throughout.

Free of many to all errors in APA conventions.

Grammar and Mechanics

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics errors occur throughout document. Word choices are seldom

Several errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling and mechanics present. Word choice reveals some understanding of

Some spelling, grammar, punctuation and mechanical errors are evident. Academic language is upheld. The

Free of punctuation, spelling, grammar, and other mechanical errors. Consistent use of academic

academic. Sentence structure may be illogical or unclear.

academic language requirements. Many sentence structure issues exist.

sentence structure is often logical and clear so that relationships among ideas are established.

word choices. Sentence structure is mostly logical and clear.

Tone, Point of View, and Audience

Writing does not address the appropriate audience, may contain clichés, tense issues, or inconsistencies in tone and/or point of view.

Writing may be inconsistent in tone, tense, and point of view. Paper makes some attempts to address appropriate audience.

Writing shows some understanding of tone, tense, point of view. Audience is usually appropriately addressed.

The writing demonstrates a command of tone, tense, and point of view. Appropriate audience is addressed.

*A zero can be earned if the above criteria are not met. *Plagiarism will result in a zero.