Project: Write a Letter

Write a response of at least 500 words that meets one of the following requirements for content:

Option 1: Write a letter to Neil Gaiman in which you make an argument for or against allowing The Ocean at the End of the Lane to be turned into a movie.

Option 2: Write a letter to a friend and persuade them to read one or more of the works in Unit 2 (assignments covered since Project 1 was due).

Option 3: Write a letter to the Vice President of Academic Affairs in which you explain why The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a valuable work to study in a college literature course.

Option 4: Imagine that you are Lettie and are writing a letter to the narrator after he last saw you. Explain why you made the choices that you made, where you are now, and whether or not he can expect to see you in the future.

Option 5: Imagine that you are the narrator. You have chosen to write a thank you letter to the Hempstock family for all that they did for you. Explain how they helped you (don’t just focus on the obvious) and what it meant to you.

Regardless of the option that you choose, please begin with a formal greeting and end with a polite closing. You may write your letter in MLA format and submit it to the dropbox OR write it by hand, make a video of yourself reading it, and submit your video to the dropbox.

Grading Rubric

Criterion 1: Course Outcome Connection—25 points

Points will be earned based on how effectively the writer thoughtfully and creatively meets one or more of the following outcomes from the course syllabus:

1. Demonstrate a familiarity with various elements and genres of literary works;
2. Recognize and articulate the abstract meaning as a theme of a literary work;
3. Define and apply the terminology used in literary analysis, including those dealing with form;
4. Analyze the ways in which literature can offer insight into cultural/historical movements by examining various authors’ approaches to the overarching course theme and, thus, explaining how literature shapes the human experience;

Criterion 2: Use of Textual Examples/References to the Text—25 points

Points will be earned for the relevance and variety of textual examples and/or references to specific aspects of the work or works. Examples/references should include a variety of techniques or different parts of the reading.

Criterion 3:  Analysis—50 points

Points will be earned based on the writer’s ability to discuss/analyze (not summarize!) the textual examples/references and how effectively they help the write meet one or more learning outcomes.