Bridges Academy
English 11 2013/14
D1 - Final Project Unit 4: Writer’s Workshop
The Quiet American
There are two options for the final project (see details below). If you decide to go
with option 2, you need to inform me of this choice no later than Friday, May
9th.
OPTION 1: Expository Essay
Write a 5 paragraph, expository essay on (see below for information on
expository essays) on one of the prompts listed below. (There are twelve, so lots
of choice!) Essays need to be between 1,000 – 1,250 words, with a minimum of
two outside sources as well as references to the text. Essays need a bibliography
and in-text citations formatted according to MLA (see:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/). Essays need to be doublespaced, and proof read for technical errors.
Prompts: Characters and relationships, the text’s structure,
settings, narrative viewpoint, language features and conventions.
1. All of the main characters in The Quiet American are victims, in some way
or another. Discuss.
2. Pyle’s innocence is also a form of blindness that has fatal consequences.
Discuss.
3. Fowler’s decision that Pyle must die is driven by jealousy rather than a
sense of justice. Discuss.
4. Fowler’s determination to remain uninvolved is ultimately fruitless, as even
inaction is a form of action. Discuss.
5. Fowler prides himself on his disengagement, yet he is not the only one
who attempts to turn a blind eye to what is going on around him. To what
extent is the above an accurate assessment of the characters in The Quiet
American?
6. Although Fowler and Pyle love Phuong, they fail to understand her and the
world she comes from. Discuss.
D1 - Final Project Writer’s Workshop
Semester 2 - Unit 4
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Bridges Academy
English 11 2013/14
Prompts: Themes, ideas and values, and responding to a point
of view or an interpretation.
7. “Nobody can go on living without some belief.” The Quiet American shows
that beliefs and ideals are always moderated by reality. Discuss.
8. The Quiet American demonstrates that in dangerous times the powerful
will sacrifice the powerless to advance one’s own cause. Discuss.
9. What appears to be just a love story becomes a cautionary tale on the
dangers of embracing simple solutions for complex problems. Discuss.
10. The Quiet American explores the conflict between personal and public
politics to show the dangers of simplistic solutions for complex problems.
Discuss.
11. The Quite American explores the connection between the personal and
political sides of people. Discuss.
12. The Quiet American suggests that political choices are always influenced
by personal desires. Discuss.
SO, WHAT IS AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY?
The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires you to investigate an idea
(represented by the prompts above), evaluate evidence (textual and outside
sources), expound (explain, interpret) on the idea, and set forth an argument
concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished
through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and
effect, etc.
The structure of an expository essay, is held together by the following:

A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first
paragraph of the essay.
It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the
guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the thesis statement is weak, or, nonexistent, it will be difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and
conclusion.
Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together.
Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s
argument, and the structure will collapse.
D1 - Final Project Writer’s Workshop
Semester 2 - Unit 4
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Bridges Academy
English 11 2013/14

Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This
allows for clarity and direction throughout the essay. Also, such conciseness
creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each
paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the
thesis statement in the opening paragraph.

Evidential support (whether from the text itself or outside sources).
It is necessary and important to back up your ideas and thoughts with evidence
from the novel in question, as well as outside source material, if required. Think
of it as writing from and informed opinion, meaning that your opinions are being
shaped by the book and the material you are reading on the book.

A bit of creativity!
Though creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it
is an art form nonetheless. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of
expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting. Remember,
though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave
a lasting impression on the people evaluating your essay.

A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but
readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
Although wrapping up an essay appears to be rather straightforward, it is often
the point in the essay where the struggles begin. This is the portion of the essay
that leaves the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore,
it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the
conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the
information presented in the body of the essay.
A complete argument
Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or a debate
with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of the Great Depression and its
current effect on those who lived through this tumultuous time, there would be a
beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the
exposition in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning
the current effects on those who lived through the Depression. Therefore, the
expository essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its
intent or argument.
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D1 - Final Project Writer’s Workshop
Semester 2 - Unit 4
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Bridges Academy
English 11 2013/14
OPTION 2: Expository PowerPoint ® Presentation
Essentially, this is similar to the essay option, but instead of handing in a paper,
you will be doing a presentation of your work on one of the prompts above.
Presentations need to have between 8-12 slides with content that is similar to
that of an essay – in other words, it needs to have a beginning, middle, and end!
Slides should include some relevant graphics and make use of the speaker’s
notes feature found at the bottom of each slide. These notes should contain the
material you are to present to the class, while the slides themselves should
contain only the main points (bullet form) of your oral presentation. These notes
will also contain your source material and citations, properly formatted. (Be
prepared to hand in a hard copy of the presentation). One slide should act as
your title page, with the title of your presentation, your name, etc., and another
slide at the end should contain your bibliographic information. Presentations
should be between 10-15 minutes in length.
PROJECT DUE DATES:
D1 Brainstorming Notes/Outline
BLK.2 Thursday May 8th / BLKS.7&8 Friday May 9th
D1 Rough Drafts
BLK.2 Wednesday May 14th / BLKS.7&8 Thursday May 15th
D1 Final Draft/Presentation
BLK.8 Monday May 19th 9:00 AM -11:30 PM
BLK.7 Monday May 19th 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
BLK.2 Wednesday May 21st 9:00 AM -11:30 PM
(Please See Below for Rubric Checklist)
D1 - Final Project Writer’s Workshop
Semester 2 - Unit 4
4
Bridges Academy
English 11 2013/14
Student Name:
Class/Assignment:
Teacher:
Date:
KEY: E=Exceeds (A range); M=Meets (B range); A=Approaches (C range); D=Does Not
Meet (D to F range).
Habit of Convention: The ability to acknowledge accepted standards and practices for the
paper writing process in order to be understood and to understand others.
Y
N
Skills and Content
Accurately follows all formatting instructions on the project sheet
Effectively uses the writing stages: Brainstorming and outlining
Writes logically, concisely, clearly; Uses correct paragraph structure
Avoids repetition and redundancy; Proofreads work thoroughly
Introduces quotations correctly and in the proper context
Uses appropriate methods to cite quotations and other references
Uses correct spelling, grammar, and word choice
Timely submission of all stages of the project
Habit of Evidence: The ability to bring together relevant information, to judge the credibility
of sources, to find out for oneself.
Y
N
Skills and Content
A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first
paragraph of the essay
Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body
paragraphs, and conclusion
Body paragraphs that include evidential support
A bit of creativity!
A conclusion that does not simply restate thesis, but readdresses it in
the light of the new evidence provided.
A complete argument
P.P 8-12 slides with main points and graphics 10-15 min. in length
Detailed speaker’s notes to support slides
Hard copy of presentation to hand in
D1 - Final Project Writer’s Workshop
Semester 2 - Unit 4
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Bridges Academy
English 11 2013/14
Student Name:
Class/Assignment:
Teacher:
Date:
KEY: E=Exceeds (A range); M=Meets (B range); A=Approaches (C range); D=Does Not
Meet (D to F range).
Habit of Perspective: The ability to address questions on course material from multiple
viewpoints, using a variety of ways to solve problems and come to a reasonable understanding of
a text.
Y
N
Skills and Content
Respects and listens to the perspectives of peers and teacher
Composes a clear and argumentative thesis statement that
demonstrates critical original thinking
Argument demonstrates critical and dynamic engagement with
perspectives of characters and authors
Expresses personal perspective on texts verbally and in writing
Habit of Connection: The ability to look for patterns and ways that things fit together in order
to utilize diverse material to form new solutions.
Y
N
Skills and Content
Actively connects all arguments to evidence
Actively connects evidence to argument
Avoids unnecessary summary and strives for analysis of evidence
Elaborates clearly and fully on thesis statement, following through
on all claims
Conclusion synthesizes argument and articulates argument’s
overall significance
Essay structure is logical, fluid, and effectively develops the thesis
D1 - Final Project Writer’s Workshop
Semester 2 - Unit 4
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