Essay Instructions: I am currently in my last year of IB (International baccalaureate) and I need help with my Wolrd Literature Paper One. I have written it already however it is not too good I was told. The essay is a comparative essay that compares the two works:“Woman at Point Zero“ written by Nawal El Saadawi and „Like Water For Chocolate“ written by Laura Esquivel. The essay needs to be based only on those two books. I have furthermore pasted below the requirements followed by a guide that will help to understand the expectations (focus of the essay and the structure) and finally the IB criteria for the World Literature Paper:
“Assessment 3: World Literature Assignment 1 - requirements
Select at least two of the “World literature” works studied for a comparative study. Compose an analytical essay, examining some of the pertinent links between the two works. The paper must be 1000 – 1500 words in length. This piece of writing is submitted to IB for assessment.“
Texts : El Saadawi, Nawal: Woman at Point Zero
Esquivel, Laura: Like Water For Chocolate
Focus for Paper:
Your focus will depend on the nature and scope of your topic. The sophistication of literary criticism expected in elaborated in your rubrics. You will be expected to show:
· thorough knowledge and understanding of the work(s)
· thorough appreciation of the aspect discussed, appropriate similarities and differences between the work(s)
· knowledge and use of the linguistic register appropriate for this type of presentation with sensitivity to use of vocabulary, tone, sentence structure, and idiom appropriate to the task
· consideration of the effects of the means by which author(s) have explored the aspect discussed
· Essay must be a cogent piece of writing and a reasoned argument in support of your interpretations
Structure of Assessments:
This depends largely on the type of activity, but each presentation should display
· logical sequence
· coherent structure
The essay should have
· introductory and concluding remarks consistent with expository style and conventions of writing
· an introduction which should have a thesis or main idea
· a body should reveal your insight into the works and the links between them – you may use Socratic Dialogue, interview or formal rhetorical strategies to develop your ideas
· a conclusion could be a brief summary and personal evaluation of the discussion or particular achievement of the writing
· logical and pertinent reasoning using evidence
World Literature Assignment
A: Selection of the Aspect and its Treatment
The achievement level for this criterion is determined primarily by the treatment of ideas, not the selection of the aspect.
How well has the candidate defined the aspect chosen?
How appropriate is the aspect chosen to the assignment?
How well has the aspect chosen been explored in relation to the assignment?
To what extent has the candidate expressed a relevant personal response?
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 Little attempt to define the aspect chosen; the treatment of ideas is generally inappropriate to the assignment
-- the aspect chosen is generally not appropriate to the assignment
-- the aspect chosen has little focus
-- the treatment of ideas is generally not relevant to the aspect chosen or
-- the assignment consists mainly of paraphrase.
2 Attempt to define the aspect chosen; the treatment of ideas is to some extent appropriate
-- the aspect chosen is to some extent appropriate to the assignment
-- the aspect chosen has focus, but it is too wide
-- the treatment of ideas is sometimes not relevant to the aspect chosen or
-- the assignment consists in part of paraphrase.
3 The aspect is defined and followed by a generally appropriate treatment of ideas
-- the aspect chosen is appropriate to the assignment
-- the aspect chosen has a specific and generally relevant focus
-- the treatment of ideas is relevant to the aspect chosen, and includes a personal response to the work(s).
4 Clearly defined aspect followed by an appropriate treatment of ideas
-- the aspect chosen is appropriate to the assignment
-- the aspect chosen has a specific and relevant focus
-- the ideas show independence of thought and their treatment is relevant to the aspect chosen.
5 Clearly defined aspect followed by a highly appropriate treatment of ideas
-- the aspect chosen is highly appropriate to the assignment
-- the aspect chosen has a specific and relevant focus
-- the ideas show independence of thought and their treatment is highly relevant to the aspect chosen.
World Literature Assignment
B: Knowledge and Understanding of Work(s)
How well does the candidate know the work(s) studied?
How much understanding has the candidate shown of the work(s) studied in relation to the assignment?
To what extent does the candidate appreciate the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate?
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 Little understanding of the work(s) studied
-- knowledge but little understanding of the aspects of the work(s) most relevant to the assignment
-- a few links between works, where appropriate
-- little appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate.
2 Some understanding of the work(s) studied
-- knowledge and some understanding of the aspects of the work(s) most relevant to the assignment
-- a link between the works, where appropriate
-- some appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate.
3 Adequate understanding of the work(s) studied
-- knowledge and satisfactory understanding of the aspects of the work(s) most relevant to the assignment
-- meaningful linking of works, where appropriate
-- appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate.
4 Good understanding of the work(s) studied
-- detailed knowledge of, and good insight into, the aspects of the work(s) most relevant to the assignment
-- clear and meaningful linking of works, where appropriate
-- good appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate.
5 Excellent understanding of the work(s) studied
-- in-depth knowledge of, and very good insight into, the aspects of the work(s) most relevant to the assignment
-- meaningful and perceptive linking of works, where appropriate -- excellent appreciation of the cultural setting relevant to the assignment, where appropriate.
World Literature Assignment
C: Presentation
Levels 3-5 are awarded only to candidates who have remained within the prescribed
word-limit.
. How effectively has the candidate presented the assignment?
. How precise and relevant are the candidate’s references?
. How detailed and meaningful is the statement of intent provided, where appropriate?
. Has the candidate remained within the prescribed word-limit?
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are generally not effective
-- little evidence of a structure to the assignment selected
-- a few references to the work(s), but they are generally not pertinent to the assignment
-- where appropriate, the statement of intent provides few details about the aims of the assignment.
2 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are to some extent effective
-- evidence of a structure to the assignment
-- references are occasionally to the point
-- where appropriate, the statement of intent includes a few details about the aims of the assignment.
3 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are effective
-- adequate structure to the assignment
-- references are generally to the point
-- where appropriate, the presentation of aims in the statement of intent is generally clear and includes some details
-- the candidate has remained within the prescribed word-limit.
4 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are very effective
-- clear and logical structure to the assignment
-- precise and pertinent references to the work(s)
-- where appropriate, the statement of intent is clear, detailed and relevant
-- the candidate has remained within the prescribed word-limit.
5 The formal structure and/or development of ideas are highly effective
-- purposeful and effective structure to the assignment
-- precise and highly pertinent references to the work(s)
-- where appropriate, the statement of intent is clear, detailed and highly relevant
-- the candidate has remained within the prescribed word-limit.
World Literature Assignment
D: Language
How clear is the candidate’s written expression?
How well has the candidate observed the conventions of written work? (The conventions of written work relate to elements such as paragraphing, grammar, spelling, citation of references.)
How appropriate is the register selected by the candidate for the particular assignment? (Register refers, in this context, to the candidate’s sensitivity to elements such as the vocabulary, tone, sentence structure and idiom appropriate to the task.)
Achievement Level
0 The candidate has not reached level 1.
1 Little use of appropriate language
-- generally inappropriate register for the assignment selected
-- frequent lapses in the conventions of written work.
2 Some use of appropriate language
-- generally appropriate register for the assignment selected
-- some lapses in the conventions of written work
-- some consistency or clarity of expression.
3 Adequate use of appropriate language
-- appropriate register for the assignment selected
-- the conventions of written work are generally followed
-- consistency and some clarity of expression.
4 Good use of appropriate language
-- the register is effective and appropriate for the assignment selected
-- the conventions of written work are closely followed
-- clarity, consistency and general fluency of expression.
5 Excellent use of appropriate language
-- the register is highly effective and appropriate for the assignment selected
-- careful attention is given to the conventions of written work
-- clarity, consistency and fluency of style.
I will send my first draft of the essay together with a few quotations from both works which might be useful. Thank You Very Much.