Grade 11 English
Canadian Literature ISP
Please Read Water for Elephants written by Sara Gruen
ISP Components:
1. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: The introductory paragraph of your literary essay
(see #3 of the Due Dates section), including thesis, must be handed in before the final
essay is due. Additionally, you must include a list of six quotes from the novel that you
anticipate using to support your thesis.
2. LITERARY ESSAY: In a formal, literary essay approximately 3.5 to 4 pages in length
XXXXXXXXXXwords), discuss and analyze an important theme in the novel, or choose a main
character and analyze his/her development throughout the novel. As you read, you
should be thinking about the “author’s message” (about some element of human nature,
or about society, etc.). How does the author communicate this message through the
depiction of the characte
theme/issue? The answers to these questions will help you to
write your thesis. Essays must be typed, size 12 point, Times New Roman font, M.L.A.
Format.
3. PROCESS & FORMAT: Students are expected to follow specific formatting instructions
(M.L.A. Parenthetical Citation Format, Common E
ors Checklist, Proofreading for
Spelling/Grammar, etc.) to be discussed and distributed in class; and, students are
expected to submit all work on time.
□ Double spaced
□ 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins all around
□ 12-point Times New Roman font
□ Pages are numbered
□ Avoids personal pronouns
□ Each paragraph is a reasonable length (½ to ¾ of a page long)
□ Avoids using contractions and other informal and cliché language/slang
□ Includes a list of Works Cited (Bibliography) at the end of the essay/assignment
□ Properly references quotations and paraphrasing in the M.L.A. parenthetical format
□ Italicize book and film titles (e.g. Exodus)
□ Uses present-tense ve
s when discussing works of literature and film
□ Properly indent the first line of each paragraph
□ No extra spaces between paragraphs
□ Avoids all typos and spelling e
ors (proofread)!
□ Submitted, on time, to Turn It In
□ 3.5 Pages
□ 6 quotes
PROCESS & DUE DATES:
DESCRIPTION COMPLETION DATE
EXPECTATIONS & EVALUATION
The essay must be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, include a bibliography on the final
page, and conform to all M.L.A. standards of documentation and formatting.
In order to ensure an in-depth analysis with ample evidence in support of your thesis, you
must include in your essay a minimum of 6 QUOTATIONS from the novel in your essay.
Ideally, there should be at least two quotes per BODY paragraph (excluding the
introduction and conclusion).
For the essay, the use of secondary sources is allowed, but not required. If you choose to
use secondary sources, be careful not to let these sources overtake your own analysis and
e sure to cite your sources. The consequences for plagiarizing are severe, so be careful to
cite your sources and use your own words and ideas!
You will submit the I.S.P. through Turn It In.
Marks may be deducted for late work. Plagiarism will result in a zero for the entire project.
You may not choose a novel you have already studied in school.
DRAFT RUBRIC:
4 Draft intro paragraph (including highlighted thesis
statement) & draft list of potential quotes
submitted to the Google Classroom.
Jan.12, 2021
5 Dr. Nadler will give feedback on each intro
paragraph a.s.a.p.
a.s.a.p.
6 Final I.S.P. submitted to turnitin.com Feb.24th, 2021
Level 1
(50 – 59)
Level 2
(60 – 69)
Level 3
(70 – 79)
Level 4
(80 – 89)
Level 4+
(90 – 100)
Observations
Conversations
(/10)
Process work
unsatisfactory
and
consistently
late
Process work
incomplete and
completed
occasionally
on time
Process work
satisfactory and
completed
mostly on time
Process work
done well and
completed on
time
Process work
thorough and
completed on
time
Thesis
statement
(T - /5)
Unclear thesis Thesis stated,
ut too general
Thesis stated,
ut somewhat
simplistic
Thesis stated
clearly and
precisely
Sophisticated
thesis stated
clearly and
precisely
Structure
(A - /10)
Limited
introduction
and / or
conclusion;
lacking proper
paragraph
structure
Points
introduced and
summarized
ut unclear;
problematic
paragraph
structure
Satisfactory
introduction
and conclusion;
satisfactory
paragraph
structure
Very good
introduction
and
conclusion;
well structured
paragraphs
Excellent
introduction and
conclusion; very
well structured
paragraphs
Content –
quality of
arguments and
supporting
evidence
(K/U - /20)
(T - /20)
Weak content
– limited
elevant
evidence
Content is
unclear – not
always
logically
elated to main
idea –
somewhat
elevant
evidence
Arguments
usually clear
and logically
elated to main
idea – most
points
supported with
elevant
evidence
Arguments
quite clear and
logically
elated to main
idea – each
point
supported with
elevant
evidence
Excellent
arguments, all
elated to main
idea – each point
supported with
strong evidence
Mechanics –
spelling,
grammar,
punctuation,
sentence flow,
vocabulary
(C - /25)
Grammar and /
or spelling
used with
limited
accuracy;
lack of
sentence flow;
weak
vocabulary
Grammar and /
or spelling
used with some
accuracy;
some sentence
flow;
some effective
vocabulary and
phrasing
Grammar and /
or spelling used
with
considerable
accuracy;
sentence flow
mostly
effective;
mostly good
vocabulary and
phrasing
Grammar and /
or spelling
used with
accuracy;
very good
sentence flow;
vocabulary and
phrasing
specific
Grammar and /
or spelling used
precisely and
accurately;
excellent
sentence flow;
vocabulary and
phrasing specific
and varied
Quotation
usage and
integration
(A - /10)
Limited
number of
quotations;
poorly
integrated
Some
quotations
included; little
integration
Satisfactory
number of
quotations;
some integrated
well
Appropriate
number of
well-chosen
quotations;
most integrated
well
Appropriate
number of
excellently-chos
en quotations;
all integrated
well
Grade 11 English
Canadian Literature ISP
Student’s Name __________________________________________________________
Student’s Book Choice ____________________________________________________
I understand that, in choosing this book for my ISP, I am making a commitment to read my
selected book. I understand that book changes are highly discouraged.
Student Signature ________________________________________________________
Your child must choose an award winning work of fiction by a Canadian author for the English
ISP. Please see the first page for a list of due dates and the assignment details. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me.
Dr. Janna Nadler
XXXXXXXXXX
Parent’s Name ___________________________________________________________
I am aware that my child has chosen to read _________________________________
(title of book)
for the gr.11 English I.S.P.
Parent Signature __________________________________________________________
mailto: XXXXXXXXXX