Crucible Essay Topics - GDHS English Department

Essay topics for The CrucibleEssay Organizer Due: _____________________Typed Rough Copy Due: ______________________________Due Date: ______________________________Length: 4 Pages, double spacedSelect one of the topics below and compose a five paragraph essay.*Be sure to follow proper essay structure, and proper MLA style in terms of quotations andthe layout of the paper.**The topics below are not thesis statements. You will need to compose your own thesis onthe topic once you have thought about the topic at length. Remember to think analytically:explain the how and why, as well as the significance of what you say in response to thestatement. Ask yourself, what is Arthur Miller saying about your topic? What is hismessage?Possible Essay Topics1. Though the trial has religious and supernatural implications, Miller tends to show thetroubles as stemming from recognizable human failings. Discuss what human failingsare present in the play and how they manifest themselves (greed, vengeances,jealousy, ambition, fear, hysteria, etc).2. Setting and the natural environment play a key role in Arthur Miller’s play. Discuss howthey facilitate the tragedy that unfolds.3. Times of social repression bring out both the best and worst characteristics in humans.4. People often tend to think in “black and white”. How does the inability of characters tosee the grey in a situation lead to tragedy?

The Crucible Literary Essay RubricCategories 0-49KnowledgeThinkingCommunicationApplicationLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4* limited depth andbreadth-little evidence ofknowledge about novel* details/proof sketchy,limited in accuracy and/orrelevancy* poorly selected detailswith relation to thesis* few or irrelevant quotesused* limited evidence of planor structure* limitedunderstanding/use of explicitthesis* development ofargument weak andinconclusive* topics/transitions notclear* limited links* ending incomplete orineffective* clarity of articulationlimited* vocabulary is repetitiveand ineffective* progression of logicalthought limited* limited evidence offocus-tendency to go off topic* limited cohesion* use of appropriate voicelimited* diction limited* limited competence withproper verb tense* limited competence inuse of language conventions* limited use of formalessay format* limited use of MLA style* some degree of depth,breadth-illustrates someknowledge of the novel* some details/proofprovided* most facts are accurate andrelevant with reference to thesis* some relevant quotes used* some evidence of plan* thesis somewhat explicit* development of argumentshows some insight into thesis* some indication oftopics/transitions* some links* ending somewhat effective* some clarity of articulation* vocabulary is somewhateffective* some evidence of logicalprogression* some focus evident-sometendency to go off topic* some cohesion* some use of appropriatevoice* some use of appropriateand accurate diction* some evidence of properverb tense* limited competence in useof language conventions* some use of formal essayformat* some use of MLA style* considerable depth andbreadth-illustrates knowledge ofthe novel in its entirety* proof is relevant to thesisand arguments were well selected* proof is accurate to aconsiderable degree and illustratesconsiderable understanding ofthesis* quotes used effectively* structure clear andarguments are easy to follow* thesis is well worded andconsiderably explicit* development of argumentshows considerable insight intothesis* topics/transitions providedand clearly evident* ending’s effect isconsiderable* considerable clarity ofarticulation* vocabulary is mature andconsiderably effective* progression of thoughtslogical* considerable focusargumentsclearly directedtowards thesis* cohesion considerable* considerable use ofappropriate voice* considerable degree ofaccurate and appropriate diction* considerable evidence ofproper verb tense* considerable competencewith language conventions* considerable competencewith formal essay format* considerable use of MLA* depth and breadth arethorough and insightful-shows awidespread knowledge of the noveland of which facts would bestsupport the thesis* proof is insightful andillustrates deep understanding ofthe thesis* structure clear and presentsarguments in highly effectiveformat* thesis highly explicit andreflects sophisticated thought* development of argumentshows deep insight into thesis* topics/transitions highlyeffective* ending is highly effective* clarity of articulation is high* vocabulary is very matureand very effective* highly effective progressionof thoughts* high degree of focusargumentsvery clearly directedtowards thesis* cohesion highlyeffective/evident* appropriate voicethroughout* diction highly effective,confident and engaging* evidence of proper verbtense throughout* extensive/effectivecommand of language conventions* extensive/effectivecommand of formal essay format* polished use of MLA style