Paper assignment
November 21, 2002
Dear Parent or Guardian:
As a part of our study of the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, students have been asked to track themes of global significance. This student work will be used in a comparative paper that will analyze Huck Finn and other art forms. In order to understand the way in which artists use their medium as a platform for social/political commentary, students will be asked to compare the work of Mark Twain with other artistic genres, such as music, film, and other forms of literature. Due to the content and sensitive nature of some of these works, your permission is required in order for your child to use those shown in bold on the attached list. (Your child is not required to use any of the bold sources and will be able to complete the project without doing so.) All of these sources have been reviewed by Ms. Baione, Ms. Eisinger, and Mr. Moss. Once you have reviewed the list with your child, pleas sign, complete, and have your child return the permission slip to class. Please call if you have any questions (274-4100).
Thank you.
Ms. Baione/Ms. Eisinger
I give permission for my child _______________________________________, to use the following sources for his/her paper
- _____________________________________
- _____________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature
_____________________________
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Comparative theme paper
The following assignment is in the form of a Regents Task III question. However, this is NOT just a Regents question. There are more steps involved. Writing an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion will NOT be a sufficient answer for this task.
You have just completed
the reading of Mark Twains novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Throughout the reading of this novel, you
have tracked a specific theme that has relevance within the novel itself as
well as global significance. Using
works from other genres, write a comparative paper (NOT an essay) that examines
the socio-political commentary that these artists are trying to convey through
their work. (Just as Mark Twain had a
purpose, so do these artists.)
·
Your choice of sources and your thesis must
be handed in and approved by Ms. Baione, Ms. Eisinger, and Mr. Moss.
·
Due to the graphic
nature, adult themes, and sensitive nature of some of the sources, you must
have signed permission slip from your parent or guardian in order to use these
materials.
·
You may use any of the
sources from the attached list, or come up with your own. If you choose to use sources that are not on
the list, they must be approved in advance by Ms. Baione, Ms. Eisinger, and Mr.
Moss.
·
You must come up with an
original thesis statement that relates to your theme.
·
Your thesis statement
must convey your position as to what you think that these artists are trying to
say about your specific theme.
§
What is the message they
are trying to convey?
§
What makes this theme an
important and relevant issue that needs to be discussed in relation to society
as a whole?
§
A definition of your
theme is NOT a thesis.
·
You must use three
strong examples from Huck Finn from three different sections of the
novel. (one from each section)
·
You must choose at least
two works, each from a different genre, that support your thesis in comparison
to the examples you have chosen from Huck Finn.
·
You are not required to
use secondary sources in your analysis.
However, if you choose to use any outside information (anything that
does not come from your own mind) you must CITE. You MUST GIVE CREDIT TO ANY OUTSIDE INFORMATION THAT YOU DECIDE
TO INCLUDE, FROM A SINGLE IDEA TO A SENTENCE.
IF YOU DO NOT GIVE CREDIT, YOU ARE PLAGARIZING.
·
You must provide an
analysis for each of your examples.
§
Quote or paraphrase your
example (dont forget to cite
Mark Twain and the other artists)
§
Explain how this example
shows your theme
§
Explain how this example
is related to your thesis
·
You must compare
Huck Finn with two other works. How are
they different? How are they the
same? Are they trying to convey the
same message? If the message is different,
what circumstances account for this difference?
Guidelines
- Using ideas from Huck Finn, and from two
other works of different genres, create an original thesis statement that
is related to your theme as revealed in these works.
- Use specific and relevant evidence from the works
that you have chosen.
- Show how the artist conveys their ideas (literary
elements, medium, etc.) and how these ideas are relevant to your thesis.
- Use MLA style citations including a works cited
page (even if you only use primary sources, ie. Huck Finn)
- Organize your ideas in a logical and coherent
manner.
- Use language that communicates your ideas
effectively.
- Follow the conventions of standard written
English.
Other Requirements
·
This paper must be
typed.
·
You must use 12pt. Arial
font, double spaced
·
Your essay must be at
least 4 pages in length
·
Due date: December 2, 2002
Grading
Meaning (30 Points)
·
Thesis is original
·
Thesis is clear
·
Thesis is provable
·
Thesis is relevant
·
Thesis shows an
understanding of theme
·
Thesis makes connections
across genres
Development (25 Points)
·
Uses relevant evidence
from the works
·
Makes clear connections
between the texts
·
Analysis is well
supported and appropriate to the task
·
Clearly relates evidence
back to the thesis
·
Citations (Use MLA
style)
Organization (25 Points)
·
States ideas in logical
order
·
Organizes information
into well thought out paragraphs
·
Has a task appropriate
introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion that summarizes the paper
Language Use (10 Points)
·
Uses language
appropriate to the task
·
Conveys ideas clearly in
well structured sentences
Conventions (10 Points)
·
Spelling
·
Punctuation
·
Capitalization
·
Grammar
Suggested Sources
Note: Sources in bold are those that contain images,
violence, themes, and/or content that may be sensitive in nature.
Music
Redemption
Song Bob
Marley
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
Political
World Bob
Dylan
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Cruelty
·
Natural
life vs. Civilization
Faith
Alone
Bad Religion
·
Mockery
of Religion
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
Avenues
and Alleyways Rancid
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
Fear
of a Black Planet Public Enemy
·
Slavery/
Racism
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
Pride U2
·
Slavery/
Racism
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
Money Pink Floyd
·
Money/Greed
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
Get
Up, Stand Up
Bob Marley
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
·
Mockery
of Religion
White Man in Hammersmith Palais
-The Clash
·
Hypocrisy
·
Slavery/
Racism
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
·
Money/Greed
Movies
Dogma Kevin Smith
·
Mockery
of Religion
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Hypocrisy
American History X Edward Norton
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Cruelty
Remember the Titans Denzel Washington
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Cruelty
The Grifters John Cusak
·
Trickery/ingenuity
·
Cruelty
·
Morality
·
Free
Will
·
Money/Greed
Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks
·
Free Will
·
Morality
·
Cruelty
·
Natural Life vs. Civilization
·
Honor
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Superstition
·
Money/Greed
·
Hypocrisy
Leap of Faith Steve Martin
·
Mockery
of Religion
·
Trickery/ingenuity
·
Cruelty
·
Morality
·
Free
Will
·
Money/Greed
·
Hypocrisy
Radio Flyer Elijah Wood
·
Cruelty
·
Morality
·
Free
Will
·
Natural
Life vs. Civilization
Cast Away Tom Hanks
·
Natural
Life vs. Civilization
·
Free
Will
Boys
N the Hood Ice Cube
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Cruelty
Do
the Right Thing Spike Lee
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Cruelty
Beloved Oprah Winfrey
(This
is based on a novel by Toni Morrison)
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Cruelty
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Natural
Life vs. Civilization
·
Hypocrisy
·
Superstition
·
Honor
Short Stories
Good
Country People Flannery OConnor
·
Trickery/Ingenuity
·
Mockery
of Religion
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Hypocrisy
Poetry
I, Too, Sing America Langston Hughes
·
Slavery/Racism
·
Morality
·
Honor
·
Free
Will
The Explorer Gwendolyn Brooks
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
The Road Not Taken Robert
Frost
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Natural
Life vs. Civilization
The
Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
T.S. Eliot
·
Free
Will
·
Morality
·
Honor
·
Natural
life vs. Civilization
To Earthward Robert Frost
·
Natural
life vs. Civilization
·
Free
Will
·
Morality