Name: _______________________ Argumentative Essay: The Pigman
40 Points
Date: ________________________
The Pigman Argumentative Essay
Writing Prompt
Task:
You will write an argumentative essay focusing on the causes of Mr. Piganti’s death in The Pigman.
Content Requirements:
● a two-­‐sentence “introduction”: the first sentence being a one-­‐sentence summary of the novel
that names the authors and title, and the second sentence being a one-­‐sentence thesis statement
● 2 body paragraphs, each including one cited quotation
● a “conclusion” consisting of a one-­‐sentence closing statement
○
Note: While introductory paragraphs and concluding paragraphs typically consist of multiple sentences,
our focus for this assignment is on the argumentative body paragraphs. Therefore, I have shortened the
other paragraphs to encourage you to concentrate your energies on the body paragraphs.
Format Requirements:
● Typed & double-­‐spaced in size 12 Times New Roman font
● MLA header on upper left side of first page
● Centered title
● Indented paragraphs
● Avoid first and second point of view pronouns (you, I, we, etc.)
Assessment: Total of 40 Points
● Final essay: 40 Points
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Name ___________________________________________ The Pigman: Final Essay Rubric __________ / 40
_______ 1. Background Summary Sentence (3 pts) ●
____ Contains title of novel (.5) ____ correctly punctuated (.5)
●
____ Contains novel’s author (.5) ____ correctly punctuated (.5)
●
____ Summary sentence logical and clear (1)
_______ 2. Thesis Statement (3 pts) ●
____ Answers prompt fully by mentioning Mr. Pignati’s death (.5) ____ & two contributing factors (.5)
●
____ Two specific and distinct factors lay strong foundation for essay’s body paragraphs (1) ●
____ Sentence is logical and clear (1)
____ *Challenge (+.5): Uses strong active verbs only: No “be” verbs
_______ 3. First body paragraph topic sentence (3 pts) ● ____ Sentences feature transitions into paragraphs (1)
●
●
____ Name main idea of paragraph, fully tied to correct thesis point (1)
____ Sentence is logical and clear (1)
____ *Challenge (+.5): Use active verbs (not “is” “are” “has” etc.) _______ 4. First body paragraph’s support (5 pts) ●
●
●
●
_____ Uses 1 selectively narrowed quote as evidence to support main idea (1)
_____ Sets up quotation w/ preview by providing context about what the quote will show (1) _____ Transitions into quotation using strategy such as a signal verb, “that,” or colon (1)
_____ Quote cited properly (1) & _____ Quote correctly punctuated (1) _______ 5. First Paragraph’s Analysis/Commentary/Application of Supports (Up to 3 pts, depending on student’s depth) ● ____ Attempts to explain how quotation supports main idea (1)
● ____ Somewhat explains how quotations support main idea, but needs more elaboration (2)
● ____ Successfully explains how quotation supports main idea (3)
_______ 6. Closing/Transition sentence (1 pt) ● ____ Reviews prior support & previews upcoming support; is not a quote _______ 7. Second body paragraph topic sentence (3 pts) ● ____ Sentences feature transitions into paragraphs (1)
●
●
____ Name main idea of paragraph, fully tied to correct thesis point (1)
____ Sentence is logical and clear (1)
____ *Challenge (+.5): Use active verbs (not “is” “are” “has” etc.) _______ 8. Second body paragraph’s support (5 pts) ●
●
●
●
_____ Uses 1 selectively narrowed quote as evidence to support main idea (1) _____ Sets up quotation w/ preview by providing context about what the quote will show (1) _____ Transitions into quotation using strategy such as a signal verb, “that,” or colon (1) _____ Quote cited properly (1) & _____ Quote correctly punctuated (1)
_______ 9. Second Paragraph’s Analysis/Commentary/Application of Supports (Up to 3 pts, depending on student’s depth) ● ____ Attempts to explain how quotation supports main idea (1)
● ____ Somewhat explains how quotations support main idea, but needs more elaboration (2)
● ____ Successfully explains how quotation supports main idea (3)
_______ 10. Closing/Transition sentence (1 pt) ● ____ Reviews prior support & previews upcoming support; is not a quote
_______ 11. Conventions: Aim for no grammar, mechanics, or spelling errors. (10 pts) ●
____ Free of errors (10) ____ Nearly free of errors (7)
●
____ Consistent errors (3)
●
____ Frequent, careless errors = 0
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Name ___________________________________________ The Pigman Argumentative Essay
PLANNING STAGE 1:
Planning Sheet
Directions: Use this chart to plan your ideas for the argumentative essay focusing on the causes of Mr. Pignati’s death in The Pigman. Key word or phrase naming a contributing person/force/event Brief explanation of why that factor significantly contributed to Mr. Pignati’s death
Another explanation of why that factor significantly contributed to Mr. Pignati’s death
Example: John & Lorraine's
selfishness
Example: John’s selfishness leads him to
cause Mr. Pignati’s death because...
Example: Lorrain’s selfishness leads her
to cause Mr. Pignati’s death because...
Factor 1:
First reason factor 1 is responsible
Second reason factor 1 is responsible
Factor 2:
First reason factor 2 is responsible
Second reason factor 2 is responsible
PLANNING STAGE 2:
Directions: Now, compose a thesis statement that previews the two factors you will discuss.
EXAMPLE TEMPLATE: Even though numerous factors lead to Mr. Pignati’s death, ______ and
______ most strongly contribute.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Name ___________________________________________ The Pigman Argumentative Essay
Outline Sheet
Directions: This outline must feature complete sentences. You must transition into all quotations and cite all quotations. You may type this or write on the sheet. 1. Introduction Paragraph
a. Background summary sentence (name title & author, and briefly summarize the novel)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Thesis (preview the 2 subtopics you will discuss-­‐-­‐try to use active verbs)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Body Paragraph #1 (REMEMBER: When you write your draft, you will transition into these quotations!)
a. Topic sentence: __________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Rename first thesis subtopic*
*Use strong verbs*
b. Supporting Quotation
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________(___________).
c. Analysis/Explanation for Quotation
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Transition sentence (review/preview format)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Review the first thesis subtopic & preview the second thesis subtopic*
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3. Body Paragraph #2 (REMEMBER: When you write your draft, you will transition into these quotations!)
a. Topic sentence: __________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Rename first thesis subtopic*
*Use strong verbs*
b. Supporting Quotation
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________(___________).
c. Analysis/Explanation for Quotation
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Closing sentence (review ONLY)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Conclusion
a. Recap Thesis (avoid using exact words)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Name ___________________________________________ The Pigman Guided Template
[introductory paragraph template]
In the novel _________________________________________________________ by ________________________________, (novel title underlined or italicized)
(author’s name)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(complete
a one-sentence summary of novel)
Even though numerous factors lead to Mr. Pignati’s death, ______________________________________________ and (factor 1)
______________________________________________ most strongly contribute to his demise.
(factor 2)
[first body paragraph template]
The first factor contributing to Mr. Pignati’s death is _______________________________________________________.
(rename factor 1)
For example, this is seen when _____________________________________________________________________________________
(preview/context for quotation sandwich)
The novel states, ______________________________________________________________________________________________ (quotation)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________(_____). (pg #)
This factor, ______________________________________________________________, contributes to Mr. Pignati’s death because (rename factor 1 for emphasis)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(explanation/analysis of evidence)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Clearly, one major first factor contributing to Mr. Pignati’s death is ________________________________; however, __________________________ is another factor.
(review factor 1)
(preview factor 2)
(template continued on next page)
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[second body paragraph template]
The second factor contributing to Mr. Pignati’s death is __________________________________________________.
(rename factor 2)
For example, this is seen when _____________________________________________________________________________________
(preview/context for quotation sandwich)
The novel states, ______________________________________________________________________________________________ (quotation)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________(_____). (pg #) This factor, ______________________________________________________________, contributes to Mr. Pignati’s death because (rename factor 2 for emphasis)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(explanation/analysis of evidence)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Clearly, a second major first factor contributing to Mr. Pignati’s death is ______________________________.
(review factor 2)
[concluding paragraph template]
In the novel The Pigman, _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(restate thesis using different words than original)
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