Writing Assignment
I. Task Description
A. What is an Aspect?
You must select an aspect of the Part 1 World Literature works for the assignment. The aspect selected must focus on some pertinent link between the two or three works used for the assignment, and may reflect your interests. However, the link does not need to demonstrate the rationale by which the works have been studied as a group.
You may choose, for your assignment, topics which focus on aspects such as:
! narrative technique
! characterization
! portrayal of society in the literature studied
! international perspectives on common human problems
! cross-cultural perspectives on the artist’s role in society.
B. What kind of Approach?
- The assignment must be a cogent piece of writing and should include some introductory and concluding remarks consistent with the conventions of writing in English.
- Although the main body need not consist of a formal exposition and development of ideas, it should constitute a reasoned argument.
C. What is the Structure?
- The introduction could be, for example, a brief statement of the aims of the assignment.
- The main body should reveal your insight into the works and appreciation of the chosen link between the works. A variety of methods is acceptable including, for example, Socratic Dialogue, interview, or a formal development of ideas as in an essay.
- The conclusion could be, for example, a brief summary and personal evaluation of the discussion or the particular achievement of the writing.
D. Which Books from Part 1 World Literature?
You must choose at least 2 of the books listed here for your comparative study
1.. Kitchen (1988)by Banana Yoshimoto
2. The House of the Spirits (1982) by Isabel Allende
3. Like Water for Chocolate (1989) by Laura Esquivel
E. What is a Comparative Study?
Please refer to your English A1 Course Companion pp. 165-203
F. How do I do Reference?
Use the MLA style. Refer to the citation machine on http://citationmachine.net/index.php. There is no need to use footnotes for quotations within the body of the work but the last name of the author followed by the page number within a parenthesis must be included, e.g. (Shakespeare p14)
II. Task Requirements
A. Proposal (due on June 19, Thursday)
Choose an appropriate, focused aspect of the World Literature works studied to write about. Submit a proposal in one or two paragraphs which briefly outline:
v the works on which the writing assignment will be based
v the area and focus of the assignment, defining the specific topic
v the proposed title of the assignment
v the secondary sources which the candidate intends to consult, if necessary.
Where the same aspect is chosen by more than one candidate, since the candidates must work independently of one another, the content of the assignment must be different.
Outlines must be discussed with Mr. C online before writing the first draft.
B. First Draft (due on June 26, Thursday)
Write a comparative study in English on an aspect of at least two of the three World Literature works studied in Part 1 of the programme. It must be 1000-1500 words in length and the number of words used must be stated at the end of the assignment. Quotations from works must be included in the word count, but footnotes and bibliographies are not to be included. Submit a soft copy online
Mr. C may make general comments about the first drafts of assignments but will neither correct them nor write comments on the drafts themselves. These comments may be oral, but if in writing must be on a separate sheet. After making general comments about the first drafts of assignments, Mr. C will provide no further assistance unless you abandon a proposed assignment and begin a new one. In this case, Mr. C will provide guidance for the new proposal in the same way as for the original one by encouraging you to produce an outline and making general comments on any first draft you produce.
C. Final Work (due on July 17, Thursday)
A hard copy of your final work must be submitted to Mr. C.
Authenticity
You will be required to sign a written declaration when submitting your assignment to confirm that it is your own work. In addition Mr. C will also be (see Vade Mecum for procedures) and to required to verify the claim made in the declaration countersign.
III. Task Rubrics
A: Selection of the Aspect and its Treatment
The achievement level for this criterion is determined primarily by the treatment of ideas, not the selection of the aspect.
- How well has the candidate defined the aspect chosen?
- How appropriate is the aspect chosen to the assignment?
- How well has the aspect chosen been explored in relation to the assignment?
- To what extent has the candidate expressed a relevant personal response?
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 Little attempt to define the aspect chosen; the treatment of ideas is generally inappropriate to the assignment
# the aspect chosen is generally not appropriate to the assignment
# the aspect chosen has little focus
# the treatment of ideas is generally not relevant to the aspect chosen or
# the assignment consists mainly of paraphrase.
2 Attempt to define the aspect chosen; the treatment of ideas is to some extent appropriate
# the aspect chosen is to some extent appropriate to the assignment
# the aspect chosen has focus, but it is too wide
# the treatment of ideas is sometimes not relevant to the aspect chosen or
# the assignment consists in part of paraphrase.
3 The aspect is defined and followed by a generally appropriate treatment of ideas
# the aspect chosen is appropriate to the assignment
# the aspect chosen has a specific and generally relevant focus
# the treatment of ideas is relevant to the aspect chosen, and includes a
personal response to the work(s).
4 Clearly defined aspect followed by an appropriate treatment of ideas
# the aspect chosen is appropriate to the assignment
# the aspect chosen has a specific and relevant focus
# the ideas show independence of thought and their treatment is relevant to
the aspect chosen.
5 Clearly defined aspect followed by a highly appropriate treatment of ideas
# the aspect chosen is highly appropriate to the assignment
# the aspect chosen has a specific and relevant focus
# the ideas show independence of thought and their treatment is highly
relevant to the aspect chosen.
B: Knowledge and Understanding of Work(s)
- How well does the candidate know the work(s) studied?
- How much understanding has the candidate shown of the work(s) studied in relation to the assignment?
- To what extent does the candidate appreciate the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate?
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 Little understanding of the work(s) studied
# knowledge but little understanding of the aspects of the work(s) most
relevant to the assignment
# a few links between works, where appropriate
# little appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where
appropriate.
2 Some understanding of the work(s) studied
# knowledge and some understanding of the aspects of the work(s) most
relevant to the assignment
# a link between the works, where appropriate
# some appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where
appropriate.
3 Adequate understanding of the work(s) studied
# knowledge and satisfactory understanding of the aspects of the work(s)
most relevant to the assignment
# meaningful linking of works, where appropriate
# appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where
appropriate.
4 Good understanding of the work(s) studied
# detailed knowledge of, and good insight into, the aspects of the work(s)
most relevant to the assignment
# clear and meaningful linking of works, where appropriate
# good appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where
appropriate.
5 Excellent understanding of the work(s) studied
# in-depth knowledge of, and very good insight into, the aspects of the
work(s) most relevant to the assignment
# meaningful and perceptive linking of works, where appropriate
# excellent appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment,
where appropriate.
C: Presentation
Levels 3-5 are awarded only to candidates who have remained within the prescribed word-limit.
- How effectively has the candidate presented the assignment?
- How precise and relevant are the candidate’s references?
- How detailed and meaningful is the statement of intent provided, where appropriate?
- Has the candidate remained within the prescribed word-limit?
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are generally not effective
# little evidence of a structure to the assignment selected
# a few references to the work(s), but they are generally not pertinent to the
assignment
# where appropriate, the statement of intent provides few details about the
aims of the assignment.
2 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are to some extent effective
# evidence of a structure to the assignment
# references are occasionally to the point
# where appropriate, the statement of intent includes a few details about the
aims of the assignment.
3 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are effective
# adequate structure to the assignment
# references are generally to the point
# where appropriate, the presentation of aims in the statement of intent is
generally clear and includes some details
# the candidate has remained within the prescribed word-limit.
4 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are very effective
# clear and logical structure to the assignment
# precise and pertinent references to the work(s)
# where appropriate, the statement of intent is clear, detailed and relevant
# the candidate has remained within the prescribed word-limit.
5 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are highly effective
# purposeful and effective structure to the assignment
# precise and highly pertinent references to the work(s)
# where appropriate, the statement of intent is clear, detailed and highly
relevant
# the candidate has remained within the prescribed word-limit.
D: Language
- How clear is the candidate’s written expression?
- How well has the candidate observed the conventions of written work?
(The conventions of written work relate to elements such as paragraphing, grammar, spelling, citation of references.)
- How appropriate is the register selected by the candidate for the particular assignment?
(Register refers, in this context, to the candidate’s sensitivity to elements such as the vocabulary, tone, sentence structure and idiom appropriate to the task.)
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 Little use of appropriate language
# generally inappropriate register for the assignment selected
# frequent lapses in the conventions of written work.
2 Some use of appropriate language
# generally appropriate register for the assignment selected
# some lapses in the conventions of written work
# some consistency or clarity of expression.
3 Adequate use of appropriate language
# appropriate register for the assignment selected
# the conventions of written work are generally followed
# consistency and some clarity of expression.
4 Good use of appropriate language
# the register is effective and appropriate for the assignment selected
# the conventions of written work are closely followed
# clarity, consistency and general fluency of expression.
5 Excellent use of appropriate language
# the register is highly effective and appropriate for the assignment selected
# careful attention is given to the conventions of written work
# clarity, consistency and fluency of style.
IV. References
Diploma Programme Language A1.
Stephan,
