Self-Directed Learning
Unit 4:
Short Stories
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Unit 4: Short Stories
In this unit, you will be reading several short stories and doing various assignments to
go with them. We will be looking at the structure of stories, characters, and practicing
being a better reader and writer. Below are the assignments for Unit 4.
Throughout this unit, we will show you how you will be assessed in Assessment Breaks.
This is important, because that is how your mark is determined. If you know how you
will be marked, you will know how to get a good mark!
Assignments in this Unit:
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
The Perfect Murder - 5 marks
Reading With Purpose - 7 marks
“Lamb to the Slaughter” Questions - 15 marks
Revenge - 5 marks
Setting Sheet for “The Cask of Amontillado” 9 marks
“The Cask of Amontillado” Questions - 14 marks
Questions for “The Sniper” - 15 marks
RAFT Letter - 15 marks
This unit is worth 10% of your overall mark.
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Assignment 1: The Perfect Murder
Think back to all those episodes of CSI or murder mystery movies you’ve seen over the
years. On a piece of looseleaf, brainstorm the ingredients of the “perfect” murder. Start
with the list below, putting the items into the order of importance (according to you).
You can add your own ideas if you want to. #1 is the most important, #10 (or higher)
is the least important. Write a sentence each for your first place and last place spots,
explaining why it was the most or least important ingredient for the “perfect” murder.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
It should be easy to arrange.
It should leave no clues.
There should be no noise.
It should look like a suicide.
It should take place in a lonely, isolated place.
It should be cheap.
No violence should be necessary.
It should look like an accident.
It should be quick.
The murderer should have a good alibi.
al*i*bi (AL-ih-bye)
The place you were/person who was with you at the time a crime occurs that
proves you couldnʼt have committed the crime.
Assessment Break #1
In this assignment, you simply need to place your list of items in order of most to least
important. The complete list is out of 3 marks. Then you need to make sure you’ve
given a reason for each of your most and least important items (#1 and #10). These two
reasons are worth 1 mark each, for a total of 5 marks for this assignment.
Now read the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. This story takes place
in the 1950s, so you might see some different lifestyles than we usually see today - a
woman waiting anxiously for her husband to arrive home, ready to make him a drink
and supper. You might also notice that the wife pours a drink for herself - it was not
known at this time that drinking alcohol while pregnant would harm the baby.
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Assignment 2: Reading with Purpose
Good readers know that you should be asking yourself questions as you read a story,
news article, or any other type of writing. It could be questions about what is happening
in the story, the characters involved, or about what is going to happen next. In this
assignment, we are going to practice reading with purpose by asking ourselves questions
as we read the story.
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Stop Point #1:
On looseleaf paper, list 3 things we know about Mrs. Maloney at this point:
!
!
!
1.
2.
3.
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Stop Point #2:
1. How does Mrs. Maloney feel about Mr. Maloney? Give an example from the story
that shows why you think this.
2. How does Mr. Maloney feel about Mrs. Maloney? Give an example from the story
that shows why you think this.
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Stop Point #3:
1. What do you think Mr. Maloney is going to do? Give a reason why you think this is
what he will do.
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Stop Point #4:
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1. Do you think your prediction was right? Why/why not?
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span*ner
A type of curved wrench with a hook at one end.
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Assessment Break #2:
This assignment is out of 7 marks. Stop Point #1 is out of 3 marks - 1 for each
item you list that we’ve learned about Mrs. Maloney up to that point in the story. Stop
Point #2 is out of 2 marks - 1 mark each for stating how the Maloneys feel about one
another and giving a reason for why each feels the way they do. Stop Point #3 is out
of 1 mark, for making a logical prediction with support. Stop Point #4 is out of 1 mark,
for stating a logical reason why you think your prediction was correct or incorrect.
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Assignment 3: Questions for “Lamb to the Slaughter”
Answer all questions on looseleaf paper and in full sentences.
1. What was the murder weapon in the story? How is this related to the title of the
story? (2)
2. Look again at the passage after he tells her, to where she kills him. What state of
mind was Mrs. Maloney in when she killed her husband? (1)
3. What are 3 personality traits for Mrs. Maloney. Remember, personality traits are to do
with what the character is like on the INSIDE, not the OUTSIDE. Give a reason for
each personality trait. (3)
4. After the murder, what did Mrs. Maloney do to ensure an alibi? (1)
5. How did she get rid of the murder weapon? (1)
6. What is the significance of the quote, “It’d be a favour to me if you’d eat it
up?” (1)
7. Do you think Mrs. Maloney was remorseful about the murder? Explain your answer
with an example from the story. (2)
re*morse
A deep sense of regret and guilt for something youʼve done wrong.
8. Do you think Mrs. Maloney will get away with the murder? Why or why not? (2)
9. Did Mrs. Maloney commit the perfect murder? Explain why or why not. (2)
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Assessment Break #3
Make sure that all of your responses for your questions are in full sentences. If they are
not, you will lose marks! As with other question-and-answer assignments, the assessment
method is fairly straightforward - in this assignment, each question is worth 1 mark for
a correct and complete answer, except for #7, 8 and 9, all of which are worth 2 marks
for a correct and complete answer. The assignment is worth 15 marks total.
Carnival
The story you are about to read takes place a long time ago (a few hundred years ago)
during a carnival festival in Europe. It is important that you have a good understanding
of what carnival is, because it is the basis for what happens during the story.
What do you think of when you think of carnivals? Maybe you think of rides and
cotton candy, but remember, this story takes place long before those things existed. What
do you think their carnivals might have looked like? If you thought of music, feasting,
wine, and costumes, then you’d be right!
The word “carnival” comes from “carne” which means meat. The festival was a religious
celebration of excess. Carnival would take place shortly before the 40 days of Lent,
which is Christianity is a time when Christians sacrifice something, usually food. In the
time that this story took place, the biggest and most common sacrifice that people would
give up would be meat, a main staple of their diet - they didn’t eat meat for 40 days.
What better way to kick off Lent than to eat WAY too much food, and drink WAY too
much wine? This was how Carnival was celebrated in many places. Along with the
feasting came the music, entertainment, masks and costumes. And all of these things are
a recipe for the perfect crime to take place.
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Assignment 4: Revenge
Have you ever wanted revenge? Write a short paragraph in response to this question. It
may talk about who you wanted revenge on (a sibling, a friend, etc) and why. You
don’t have to use names if you don’t want, but try to include as much detail as
possible. If you haven’t ever wanted revenge, you might want to talk about why not (for
example, why revenge is pointless, etc.). Your response should be about a 1/2 page when
you are finished.
Assessment Break #4
This assignment is out of 5 marks. The table below will be used to determine your
mark. Your response should be approximately 1/2 page. If it is significantly shorter, the
response will likely be in the 1-2 mark range. Make sure to explain your ideas fully!
0 Marks
Ideas are off topic
Text and/or ideas are
plagiarized
1-2 Marks
3-4 Marks
5 Marks
Ideas are not
developed adequately
to explain the journal
topic.
Ideas are clear,
appropriate, and
adequately developed.
Ideas are clear,
appropriate and
thoroughly developed.
Ideas are vague
Ideas are welldeveloped and
explained throughout
the piece
Ideas are creatively/
thoroughly developed
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Key Terms for “The Cask of Amontillado”
cask
a strong wooden barrel used mainly to hold alcoholic drink
A*mon*till*a*do (Amontee-YA-doh)
a type of Spanish Sherry wine
cask
a strong wooden barrel used mainly to hold alcoholic drink
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Assignment 5: Setting Sheet for “Cask of Amontillado”
Create a sheet similar to the one below for the story that follows, “The Cask of
Amontillado.” Add to the sheet as you read the story. Make sure to leave lots of space
to add to your answers!
Setting:
What things about the setting (time and place of the story) make this a creepy story?
Characters:
Who is the protagonist in the story? Why?
Provide 2 personality traits for the protagonist:
Who is the antagonist in the story? Why?
Provide 2 personality traits for the antagonist:
Mood
What is the feeling you get by reading this story? Why?
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Assessment Break #5
This assignment is out of 9 marks. 1 mark is given for each “creepy” aspect you
identify (2 marks total), 1 mark each is given for identifying the protagonist and the
antagonist, and giving a reason for each (2 marks total). 1 mark each is given for the
personality traits you identify for the protagonist and the antagonist, up to 2 marks each
(4 marks total). The last mark comes from identifying mood.
Assignment 6: “The Cask of Amontillado” Questions
Answer the following questions in full sentences, on looseleaf paper.
1. In your own words, why had the narrator vowed revenge on Fortunato? (1)
2. What was the narrator’s family name? (1)
3. Fortunato believed himself to be an expert on what subject? (1)
4. What happened at the end of the story? (1)
5. Explain how the narrator convinced Fortunato to accompany him to the catacombs. (2)
6.!
!
a) What does “vanity” mean? Provide a dictionary definition that applies to
Fortunato. (1)
b) Explain how Fortunato’s vanity leads to his death. (1)
8. “In my opinion, this story is...” Finish this sentence any way you wish, but then add
another sentence which explains why you feel this way. (2)
9. Think back to your “perfect murder” list from Assignment 1 in Unit 4. Do you think
that Montresor committed the “perfect murder?” Explain why or why not. (2)
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Assessment Break #6
As with Assignment #3, the assessment of this assignment is fairly straightforward. As
always, ensure that your responses are in full sentences in order to receive full marks.
Questions 1-4 are worth 1 mark for a correct and complete response, questions 5-8 are
worth 2 marks each (1 mark for a) and 1 mark for b) in #6). Make sure you have fully
explained your responses for these questions in order to get full marks! The total value
of this assignment is 14 marks.
Background on the Irish Civil War
Before you read the next story, you will need some background information that will
help you understand the setting and context of the story, which takes place during the
Irish Civil War.
The Irish Civil War took place in Ireland from 1922 - 1923. It happened as a result of
disagreement between those who felt that Ireland should be its own independent nation
(the Republicans, or the IRA - Irish Republican Army), and those who wanted Ireland to
agree to the Anglo-Irish Treaty (who called themselves The “Free State”). Under the
treaty, Ireland would remain a part of the United Kingdom (basically, under the rule of
the English King or Queen) but they would be their own self-governing “free
state,” (hence the name for those who supported it).
When the Civil War broke out, people were forced to choose sides. Brothers fought
against brothers. The number of deaths is estimated to be anywhere from 1000-4000.
The Free State was able to hang on to Dublin, and eventually won the Civil War.
Ireland remained a Free State until 1937, by which time it had basically cut ties with
the United Kingdom, but it was not until 1949 that it officially became the Republic of
Ireland, leaving the United Kingdom behind.
On to “The Sniper”...
Now read the story “The Sniper” that follows on the next pages. Do not worry if you
are not familiar with all of the words. Just make sure you understand the main idea.
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The Sniper
By Liam O’Flaherty
The long June twilight faded into night. Dublin lay enveloped in darkness but for the
dim light of the moon that shone through fleecy clouds, casting a pale light as of
approaching dawn over the streets and the dark waters of the Liffey. Around the
beleaguered Four Courts the heavy guns roared. Here and there through the city, machine
guns and rifles broke the silence of the night, spasmodically, like dogs barking on lone
farms. Republicans and Free Staters were waging civil war.
Liff*ey
The river that flows through Dublin, Ireland.
Four Courts
The main court building in Dublin, Ireland.
On a rooftop near O'Connell Bridge, a Republican sniper lay watching. Beside him lay
his rifle and over his shoulders was slung a pair of field glasses. His face was the face
of a student, thin and ascetic, but his eyes had the cold gleam of the fanatic. They were
deep and thoughtful, the eyes of a man who is used to looking at death.
sni*per
a sharp-shooter, usually for the army.
He was eating a sandwich hungrily. He had eaten nothing since morning. He had been
too excited to eat. He finished the sandwich, and, taking a flask of whiskey from his
pocket, he took a short draught. Then he returned the flask to his pocket. He paused for
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a moment, considering whether he should risk a smoke. It was dangerous. The flash
might be seen in the darkness, and there were enemies watching. He decided to take the
risk.
draught (pronounced “draft”)
a sip.
Placing a cigarette between his lips, he struck a match, inhaled the smoke hurriedly and
put out the light. Almost immediately, a bullet flattened itself against the parapet of the
roof. The sniper took another whiff and put out the cigarette. Then he swore softly and
crawled away to the left.
Cautiously he raised himself and peered over the parapet. There was a flash and a bullet
whizzed over his head. He dropped immediately. He had seen the flash. It came from
the opposite side of the street.
par*a*pet (pronounced “pair-a-pet”)
a temporary defence built up on top of a wall
He rolled over the roof to a chimney stack in the rear, and slowly drew himself up
behind it, until his eyes were level with the top of the parapet. There was nothing to be
seen--just the dim outline of the opposite housetop against the blue sky. His enemy was
under cover.
Just then an armored car came across the bridge and advanced slowly up the street. It
stopped on the opposite side of the street, fifty yards ahead. The sniper could hear the
dull panting of the motor. His heart beat faster. It was an enemy car. He wanted to fire,
but he knew it was useless. His bullets would never pierce the steel that covered the
gray monster.
Then round the corner of a side street came an old woman, her head covered by a
tattered shawl. She began to talk to the man in the turret of the car. She was pointing
to the roof where the sniper lay. An informer.
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The turret opened. A man's head and shoulders appeared, looking toward the sniper. The
sniper raised his rifle and fired. The head fell heavily on the turret wall. The woman
darted toward the side street. The sniper fired again. The woman whirled round and fell
with a shriek into the gutter.
Suddenly from the opposite roof a shot rang out and the sniper dropped his rifle with a
curse. The rifle clattered to the roof. The sniper thought the noise would wake the dead.
He stooped to pick the rifle up. He couldn't lift it. His forearm was dead. "I'm hit," he
muttered.
Dropping flat onto the roof, he crawled back to the parapet. With his left hand he felt
the injured right forearm. The blood was oozing through the sleeve of his coat. There
was no pain--just a deadened sensation, as if the arm had been cut off.
Quickly he drew his knife from his pocket, opened it on the breastwork of the parapet,
and ripped open the sleeve. There was a small hole where the bullet had entered. On
the other side there was no hole. The bullet had lodged in the bone. It must have
fractured it. He bent the arm below the wound. the arm bent back easily. He ground his
teeth to overcome the pain.
breast*work
a temporary defence built up chest-high
Then taking out his field dressing, he ripped open the packet with his knife. He broke
the neck of the iodine bottle and let the bitter fluid drip into the wound. A paroxysm of
pain swept through him. He placed the cotton wadding over the wound and wrapped the
dressing over it. He tied the ends with his teeth.
Then he lay still against the parapet, and, closing his eyes, he made an effort of will to
overcome the pain.
In the street beneath all was still. The armored car had retired speedily over the bridge,
with the machine gunner's head hanging lifeless over the turret. The woman's corpse lay
still in the gutter.
The sniper lay still for a long time nursing his wounded arm and planning escape.
Morning must not find him wounded on the roof. The enemy on the opposite roof
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covered his escape. He must kill that enemy and he could not use his rifle. He had only
a revolver to do it. Then he thought of a plan.
Taking off his cap, he placed it over the muzzle of his rifle. Then he pushed the rifle
slowly upward over the parapet, until the cap was visible from the opposite side of the
street. Almost immediately there was a report, and a bullet pierced the center of the cap.
The sniper slanted the rifle forward. The cap clipped down into the street. Then catching
the rifle in the middle, the sniper dropped his left hand over the roof and let it hang,
lifelessly. After a few moments he let the rifle drop to the street. Then he sank to the
roof, dragging his hand with him.
Crawling quickly to his feet, he peered up at the corner of the roof. His ruse had
succeeded. The other sniper, seeing the cap and rifle fall, thought that he had killed his
man. He was now standing before a row of chimney pots, looking across, with his head
clearly silhouetted against the western sky.
The Republican sniper smiled and lifted his revolver above the edge of the parapet. The
distance was about fifty yards--a hard shot in the dim light, and his right arm was
paining him like a thousand devils. He took a steady aim. His hand trembled with
eagerness. Pressing his lips together, he took a deep breath through his nostrils and fired.
He was almost deafened with the report and his arm shook with the recoil.!!
Then when the smoke cleared, he peered across and uttered a cry of joy. His enemy
had been hit. He was reeling over the parapet in his death agony. He struggled to keep
his feet, but he was slowly falling forward as if in a dream. The rifle fell from his
grasp, hit the parapet, fell over, bounded off the pole of a barber's shop beneath and
then clattered on the pavement.
Then the dying man on the roof crumpled up and fell forward. The body turned over
and over in space and hit the ground with a dull thud. Then it lay still.
The sniper looked at his enemy falling and he shuddered. The lust of battle died in him.
He became bitten by remorse. The sweat stood out in beads on his forehead. Weakened
by his wound and the long summer day of fasting and watching on the roof, he revolted
from the sight of the shattered mass of his dead enemy. His teeth chattered, he began to
gibber to himself, cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody.
He looked at the smoking revolver in his hand, and with an oath he hurled it to the
roof at his feet. The revolver went off with a concussion and the bullet whizzed past the
sniper's head. He was frightened back to his senses by the shock. His nerves steadied.
The cloud of fear scattered from his mind and he laughed.
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Taking the whiskey flask from his pocket, he emptied it a draught. He felt reckless
under the influence of the spirit. He decided to leave the roof now and look for his
company commander, to report. Everywhere around was quiet. There was not much
danger in going through the streets. He picked up his revolver and put it in his pocket.
Then he crawled down through the skylight to the house underneath.
When the sniper reached the laneway on the street level, he felt a sudden curiosity as to
the identity of the enemy sniper whom he had killed. He decided that he was a good
shot, whoever he was. He wondered did he know him. Perhaps he had been in his own
company before the split in the army. He decided to risk going over to have a look at
him. He peered around the corner into O'Connell Street. In the upper part of the street
there was heavy firing, but around here all was quiet.
The sniper darted across the street. A machine gun tore up the ground around him with
a hail of bullets, but he escaped. He threw himself face downward beside the corpse.
The machine gun stopped.
Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother's face.
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Assignment 7: Questions for “The Sniper”
Answer all questions in full sentences on looseleaf paper. See unit 1 for definitions of
any unfamiliar words.
1. Who is the protagonist of “The Sniper?” (1)
2. Who is the antagonist of “The Sniper?” (1)
3. In every story there is a conflict and a resolution of that conflict. In this case, the
overall conflict is the fight for Ireland between the Republicans and the Free State.
But what is the goal of the Sniper during the story? What must he do? (1)
4. Give two personality traits for the Sniper, and support each with an example from the
story. See page 18 for an explanation of personality traits. (2)
5. Find an example of a simile from the story. (1)
6. This story is very descriptive. The author is able to create a picture in our mind of
the scene through his descriptions so that you can truly imagine that you ARE the
Sniper and see things through his eyes. Find one sentence for each of the following:
(1 mark each = 6 marks)
a) Sight: give an example from the story that creates a picture in your mind of how
something looked.
b) Sound: give an example from the story that creates an idea in your mind of how
something sounded.
c) Taste: give an example from the story that creates a picture in your mind of how
something tasted.
d) Smell: give an example from the story that creates a picture in your mind of how
something smelled.
e) Touch: give an example from the story that creates a picture in your mind of how
something felt.
f) Feelings: give an example from the story that creates a picture in your mind of how
the Sniper felt (emotionally).
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7. What was your reaction to the last sentence of “The Sniper?” (1)
8. Why do you think O’Flaherty decided to end the story this way? In other words,
what do you think he was trying to show us about war? Why does this ending show
that about war? (2)
Assessment Break #7
As with Assignment #3 & #6, the assessment of this assignment is fairly straightforward.
As always, ensure that your responses are in full sentences in order to receive full
marks. Questions are worth 1 mark for a correct and complete response, unless otherwise
stated. Make sure you have fully explained your responses for these questions in order to
get full marks! The total value of this assignment is 15 marks.
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How to Write a Personal Letter
In the next assignment, you will be writing a letter. Read the next few pages to learn
the proper format for writing a letter.
Format:
Below is the correct format. Format means the way that you lay out the page when you
write a letter. Take note of indentations, use of punctuation such as commas and where
they go, as well as alignment (everything down the left side of the page). On the next
page is a sample personal letter as well.
Name of Letter Recipient
Recipient’s Address
Recipient’s City, Province
Recipient’s Postal Code
Date, Year
Dear _________________,
This is where your first paragraph should go. Do not indent the first paragraph.
You will start a new paragraph every time you begin a new idea. Every paragraph except
the first paragraph should be indented.
Personal letters are written to friends or family, so using a format with a space between
justified paragraphs would be too formal, and inappropriate. Your letter should flow without any
spaces between sections of the text.
Sincerely/Yours Truly/Etc.,
______________________
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Paragraphs
Sometimes it is difficult to know when you should start a new paragraph. As a general
rule, whenever you start a new topic, you should start a new paragraph. As you look at
the sample personal letter below, note the formatting as well as all the important pieces
of a letter, and where new paragraphs begin. In the left margin, these items are pointed
out to you. Also notice that the letter is aligned on the left margin. Lastly, notice
where there is blank space beween certain parts of the letter. This is the proper way to
set up a personal letter.
Sample Personal Letter
Date April 26, 2012
Dear Grandpa,
Blank space
Greeting
Blank space
1st paragraph
How are you? I am fine. I have been up to a lot lately. My team won 3rd
place at the provincials for hockey. I even scored a few goals! Now that
hockey’s over, I’m looking forward to soccer starting. Maybe my soccer
(sports)
team will even go to provincials!
2nd paragraph
I can’t wait to come visit you in the summer time. We had so much
fun when we saw you at spring break. Do you think we can go hiking at
(visiting)
that same place? I bet it would be even better in the summer time.
3rd paragraph
Pretty soon it will be time for exams for me. Mom said that if I do
well on the exams, I can get the new PS3 game I want. It’s supposed to be
really cool and have amazing graphics. Maybe we can try it out when I see
(exams)
you this summer! Just kidding. Hope everything’s good where you are.
Blank space
See you in a few months!
Closing
Love,
Signature
David
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Assignment 8: RAFT Writing
In this assignment, you will write a letter using the RAFT method, which stands for
ROLE, AUDIENCE, FORM, and TOPIC. Your letter should be about the same length as
the sample personal letter above. In this case, you will use the following RAFT:
ROLE:!!
!
AUDIENCE:! !
FORM:!
!
TOPIC:!
!
The Sniper
The Sniper’s mother
Personal Letter
The death of your brother
As you plan what you will write, put yourself in The Sniper’s shoes. How would he be
feeling right now? How would you feel if you had done what he has? What else would
you have to say to your mother, especially at a time like this?
Assessment Break 8
This assignment is out of 15 marks. It is marked similarly to your Common Assessment
Essay in the sense that each aspect of your writing is marked separately. You will also
notice this happening frequently in your next unit. There are four aspects that you will
be assessed on: ideas, organization, style and mechanics.
Ideas are out of 4 marks, and refers to what you write. Make sure you write enough to
be able to get a good mark on this section. The table below will be used to assess your
work.
0 Marks
1 Marks
2 Marks
3 Marks
Did not
write letter.
Main ideas are
weakly developed.
Letter is
plagiarized.
No topic
sentences in body
paragraphs.
Details in the
body
paragraphs
weakly support
topic sentences
or paragraphs.
Each body paragraph
is sufficiently and
relevantly supported
by the story “The
Sniper.”
Insufficient writing
in each paragraph.
Property of: Portage la Prairie School Division
Each body paragraph
is developed with topic
sentence and
supporting details.
4 Marks
Thesis stays on topic
in each body
paragraph.
Each body paragraph
is very well developed
with a strong topic
sentence and creative
and distinguished
supporting details.
124
Self-Directed Learning
Organization is out of 3 marks, and refers to how you lay out your letter. Did you use
the correct format, as given in the lesson preceding this assignment? Make sure you’ve
left spaces where appropriate and so on. The table below will be used to assess your
work.
0 Marks
1 Marks
Did not write letter.
Letter is plagiarized.
2 Marks
Letter does not use
correct format, as
outlined in unit 4.
3 Marks
Letter somewhat uses
correct format, as outlined
in unit 4, with few errors.
Letter uses correct
format, as outlined in
unit 4, with no errors.
Style is out of 4 marks, and refers to how you write. Make sure you write the letter
AS IF YOU ARE THE SNIPER. Do not write it in the 3rd person. How would a son
speak to his mother? These are the things you should be thinking about as you compose
your letter. The table below will be used to assess your work.
0 Marks
1 Marks
2 Marks
Did not
write letter.
Student does not
write in the voice of
the Sniper (may be
written in studentʼs
own voice, or in 3rd
person).
Student
sometimes writes
in the voice of the
Sniper.
Letter is
plagiarized.
Vocabulary is
simple but sufficient
to convey basic
ideas.
Attempting to use
creative and
appropriate
vocabulary for
audience
(mother).
3 Marks
Student writes in
the voice of the
Sniper.
Vocabulary is
appropriate to the
audience (mother).
Effective use of
some sentence
variety.
4 Marks
Student writes in the
voice of the Sniper.
Vocabulary is varied
and appropriate for
audience (mother).
Sentence variety is
evident.
Mechanics are the bits and pieces that make up your writing: grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization. This is out of 4 marks. The table below will be used to
assess your work.
0 Marks
1 Marks
Did not write
letter.
No editing
apparent.
Letter is
plagiarized.
Content is lost as
a result of many
spelling &
mechanical errors.
Property of: Portage la Prairie School Division
2 Marks
Errors in spelling
and mechanics
distract the
reader.
3 Marks
Writing has been
well edited.
Occasional
spelling &
mechanical errors
do not distract the
reader.
4 Marks
Writing is virtually
free of
conventional
spelling and
mechanical errors.
125