World Literature
Sophomore Summer Reading Assignment 2016
The purpose of this summer reading assignment is for you 1) to engage your mind and soul
during the summer months 2) to show me your very best writing and reading
comprehension skills so that I can help you improve them next year.
Assignment:
1) Read Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza carefully. I recommend you take notes on each
chapter, identifying important characters and events.
2) During the first week of school, you will write an in-class essay answering a prompt about
the book. You will be allowed to use any approved notes that you take on each chapter.
The rubric that will be used to assess your essay is attached.
Introduction
20 possible
Body #1
10 possible
A –Exceptional
Mastery
B- Exceeds
Expectations
Masterfully and
intriguingly
introduces topic.
Provides a sharp,
cogent, and
unique thesis that
insightfully
addresses one of
the prompts.
Insightfully
introduces the
topic and
provides a
strong, arguable
thesis that
addresses one of
the prompts.
Masterfully
worded topic
sentence that
insightfully
supports the
thesis.
Incorporates
multiple quotes
from various
sources including
Left to Tell.
Masterfully and
succinctly
explains
evidence.
Transitions
Well-worded
topic sentence
insightfully
supports thesis,
correctly
incorporates
multiple quotes,
at least one from
Left to Tell, and
fully explains
evidence.
C – Meets grade
level
expectations
Clearly
introduces topic
and provides an
arguable thesis
that addresses
one of the
prompts.
Contains a clear
topic sentence
that supports the
thesis. Uses a
quote from Left to
Tell and explains
evidence.
D – Does not
meet grade level
expectations
Attempts to
introduce the
topic, but may be
vague or
confused. Thesis
that addresses
the prompt is
present, but may
not be arguable
or clear.
Attempts a topic
sentence but it
merely states a
fact / does not
clearly support
thesis. Uses a
quote without
proper
integration. Does
not fully explain
evidence.
F – Earns failing
grade
Demonstrates
confusion about
what the prompt
is asking and/or
is missing a
thesis.
Demonstrates
little
understanding of
argument. May
be missing a
quote. Little to
no explanation of
evidence.
Body #2
10 possible
Body #3
10 possible
Conclusion
10 possible
Grammar and
Mechanics
20 possible
smoothly to next
idea.
Masterfully
worded topic
sentence that
insightfully
supports the
thesis.
Incorporates
multiple quotes
from various
sources including
Left to Tell.
Masterfully and
succinctly
explains
evidence.
Transitions
smoothly to next
idea.
Masterfully
worded topic
sentence that
insightfully
supports the
thesis.
Incorporates
multiple quotes
from various
sources including
Left to Tell.
Masterfully and
succinctly
explains
evidence.
Transitions
smoothly to next
idea.
Briefly reminds
reader of overall
argument in a
sophisticated
way. Not only
ties ideas
together but also
provokes further
reflection in the
reader by
introducing some
further idea or
insight.
1-2 minor
grammar errors.
Excellent
revision.
Well-worded
topic sentence
insightfully
supports thesis,
correctly
incorporates
multiple quotes,
at least one from
Left to Tell, and
fully explains
evidence.
Contains a clear
topic sentence
that supports the
thesis. Uses a
quote from Left to
Tell and explains
evidence.
Attempts a topic
sentence but it
merely states a
fact / does not
clearly support
thesis. Uses a
quote without
proper
integration. Does
not fully explain
evidence.
Demonstrates
little
understanding of
argument. May
be missing a
quote. Little to
no explanation of
evidence.
Well-worded
topic sentence
insightfully
supports thesis,
correctly
incorporates
multiple quotes,
at least one from
Left to Tell, and
fully explains
evidence.
Contains a clear
topic sentence
that supports the
thesis. Uses a
quote from Left to
Tell and explains
evidence.
Attempts a topic
sentence but it
merely states a
fact / does not
clearly support
thesis. Uses a
quote without
proper
integration. Does
not fully explain
evidence.
Demonstrates
little
understanding of
argument. May
be missing a
quote. Little to
no explanation of
evidence.
Briefly reminds
reader of thesis
without being
repetitive. Ties
ideas together
well.
Briefly
summarizes
thesis argument
and ties ideas
together clearly.
Attempts to
summarize thesis
argument. Does
not tie together
ideas clearly.
Demonstrates
little to no
understanding of
how a conclusion
works.
3-4 minor
grammar errors
that do not
obscure ideas.
Careful revision.
5 or more
grammar errors
that may
occasionally
obscure an idea.
Basic revision.
Frequent
grammar errors
that obscure
ideas and suggest
very little
revision /
understanding of
basic sentence
structure.
Paper is riddled
with grammar
errors, spelling
mistakes, and
careless writing.
Demonstrates no
attempt at
revision.
MLA
Formatting
20 possible
Paper includes
an MLA
heading, header,
font, spacing,
Works Cited
page, and in-text
citations. No
errors in MLA
formatting.
Paper includes
an MLA
heading, header,
font, spacing,
Works Cited
page, and in-text
citations. There
may be 1 or 2
minor errors.
Egregious and
careless errors in
MLA formatting.