English 1 Performance Task
Mr. Stein
TASK:
Upon reading Golding’s ​
Lord of the Flies,​
Coelho’s ​
The Alchemist​
, and Steinbeck’s ​
Of Mice and Men​
, reflect on the
ideas presented both in the texts and during classroom sessions in regards to identity and the factors that shape it.
Then write an argumentative essay responding to the prompt below, focusing on one identity-shaping factor per text.
Be sure to incorporate information from at least one non-fiction source and one poem as well.
CONTEXT:
There are many factors that shape a character’s - and thus, a human’s - identity. Familial values, cultural expectations,
internalized emotion shifted towards external action, and the role of the surrounding environment in shaping the
above three examples all play a part in influencing and ultimately determining how a character will ebb and flow over
the course of a text, much in the same way that a human will interact with the world around him/her throughout
his/her lifetime. Today, literary authors and academic researchers alike explore the concept of identity and the
factors that shape it, in an effort to determine what element has the greatest impact on the affected person.
PROMPT: What are the main factors that shape identity?
GUIDELINES:​
Be sure to:
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Read through annotated notes carefully.
Choose one non-fiction source that will strengthen your rationale.
Choose one of the poems we’ve studied that can be used to further support your claim(s).
Establish a precise and credible claim that responds appropriately to the prompt.
Explain one factor evident in ​
Lord of the Flies​
that shapes identity​
.
❏ Analyze explicit ideas/information from the texts and explain your claim with reasons and
evidence from the texts.
Explain one factor evident in ​
The Alchemist​
that shapes identity​
.
❏ Analyze explicit ideas/information from the texts and explain your claim with reasons and
evidence from the texts.
Explain one factor evident in ​
Of Mice and Men​
that shapes identity​
.
❏ Analyze explicit ideas/information from the texts and explain your claim with reasons and
evidence from the texts.
Order ideas and information within and across paragraphs and use appropriate transitional
words/phrases in a way that allows the audience to follow your argument clearly.
Include a conclusion tying the three texts together.
Use language and tone appropriate to the audience and purpose, demonstrating a command of
standard English conventions.