7H
The Giver and The Giver Argumentative Essay
General directions: You will write an argumentative essay to discuss archetypes and Jonas.
Refer to the directions below for the writing prompt. Remember, visually, body paragraphs
should be twice the length of an opening or closing.
Writing Prompt:
 What is an archetype (develop this concept well), and what kind of archetypal character
is Jonas in the novel and the film? (Opening Paragraph).
 Develop the components on the focus archetypes: the 1 from the novel and the 1 from
the film. (Body Paragraph 1; Informative).
 Argue how and why Jonas in the 1 archetype in the novel. (Body Paragraph 2).
 Argue how and why Jonas is a different archetype in the film? (Body Paragraph 3).
 What does one learn from studying Jonas’ archetype and archetypes in literature, film,
and life? (Closing)
Remember:
1. Do not abbreviate words like because or and. Spell all words out, including numbers.
2. Do not use contractions. Spell out words like didn’t and I’m to did not and I am.
3. Do not begin any sentence with and/but/or/so (conjunctions)—it is an awkward construction to do
properly.
4. Always create a clever title and do not put it in quotes or underline it. The cleverness of the title
determines the strength of your concluding twist. Choose it purposefully.
5. Avoid pointless words like: fun, really, very, bored, get, real, like, thing (any form of thing), a lot, stuff,
good, happy, bad, nice, etc.
6. Write in present tense. Novels and film are written about in present tense.
7. Do not skip spaces between indented paragraphs.
8. Never say, “In this essay” “I am going to write about…”, “In the report…” “This quote says…” etc.
Never refer to the essay.
9. Use multiple sentence types, rather than a string of simple and complex sentences.
10. Do not repeat your introductory statement – “I want to learn to drive. The reason I want to drive is
because…”
11. Do not use verbal word forms (the way you speak, IM, and text) in formal writing (class room writing).
Be formal.
12. Use transition words between sentences. Use transition charts to help-while, since, in addition to,
although, as, in contrast, etc. Avoid writing expressions like, “first, I want…, second, I…; thirdly,…;
lastly,…”.
13. Do not use any form of “you” or commands in your writing. It limits the audience one is writing to.
Use more general terms like one, people, many, etc.
14. Visually, body paragraphs should always be twice the size of an opening or closing paragraph.
15. Use 2 syllable or more verbs and adjectives.
The Giver: Argumentative Essay
CCSS Standards
CCSS W 7.1:
Write arguments to
support claims with clear
reasons and relevant
evidence.
CCSS W 7.7
Gather relevant
information from multiple
print and digital sources,
using search terms
effectively; assess the
credibility and accuracy of
each source; and quote or
paraphrase the data and
conclusions of others while
avoiding plagiarism and
following a standard
format citation.
Transitions and Word
Choice
*Use precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary
to inform about or explain
the topic and establish and
maintain a formal style.
*Use words, phrases, and
clauses to create cohesion
and clarify the
relationships among
claim(s), reasons, and
evidence.
Grammar:
Uses a variety of sentence
types without run-ons or
fragments, uses
punctuation correctly, and
has no spelling errors.
Proofreading is evident.
Exceeds
Standard
Met Standard
Approaching
Meeting Standard
Standard Not Met