Literary Analysis Essay – 11th Grade ELA

Subject: English Language Arts

Grade: 11th Grade (AP Level)

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1 – Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

Summary: Students will analyze a passage from “The Gift of Rain” by Tan Twan Eng, focusing on how the author uses literary elements and techniques to convey the complex feelings the narrator experiences upon visiting his mother’s childhood home.

Rubric Summary: Graded on a 4-point scale for Introduction/Conclusion, Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences, Evidence, Commentary, and Writing/Clarity, with ratings of Exceeds Standards, Meets Standards, Approaching Standards, and Below Standards.

Prompt to Students: Read the passage carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Eng uses literary elements and techniques to convey the complex feelings the narrator experiences upon visiting his mother’s childhood home, where his grandfather still resides.

In your response you should do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation.
• Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.
• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.