ESSAY about Theme Analysis for ?Harrison Bergeron? by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Background: In the opening sentences of ?Harrison Bergeron,? the narrator describes, ?The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal? (Vonnegut). In this future dystopian American society, no one is allowed to be smarter, more attractive, or more athletic than anyone else. All are equal.
Prompt: In a MLA-formatted essay, identify and analyze one theme(s) from ?Harrison Bergeron? and explain what this particular theme(s) suggests about the larger society depicted in the short story. According to the text, what seems to be true in this future society? You should provide a detailed evidence-based analysis that provides specific examples from the short story.
You should NOT include any secondary sources; rather, your analysis should reflect a close reading and in-depth understanding of the text. In addition, you
should refrain from simply providing a plot summary. In each body paragraph, you should integrate two appropriate passages from the text to support your analysis. Your essay should be a minimum of two FULL pages and no longer than three pages.
* Begin by briefly introducing the short story (title, author, genre) and background/context.
* Identify a theme(s), briefly stated examples, and what this particular theme(s) suggests about the larger society depicted in the short story.
* Be sure to provide specific passages from the text that illustrate this specific theme(s) and what this particular theme(s) suggests about the larger society depicted in the short story.
* You should integrate two pieces of textual evidence in each body paragraph, followed by detailed explanation/analysis.
* End by rephrasing your thesis, supporting points, and final thoughts.
Unity/Focus (25 points): The writer presents a cogent, thesis-driven analysis of or response to the text. The thesis should be clear, original, and interesting. The essay is controlled by a thesis, and each paragraph is controlled by a clear topic sentence.
Development/Support/Elaboration (25 points): The writer elaborates on that response with well-chosen examples, in depth and thorough analysis, and persuasive reasoning. The central idea is developed in the essay through well-chosen and appropriate concrete details.
Coherence/Organization (20 points): The essay conforms to an organizational pattern that facilitates reader understanding, using organizational patterns to demonstrate the relatedness of ideas and to enhance the power of the argument. The essay has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, which are related to the thesis. Transitions help the paper to flow smoothly.
Writer?s Style (20 points): The essay displays a sophisticated style that reflects aptly chosen words and rhetorically effective sentence variety. Sentences are mature and parallel. The essay is written in a style and tone appropriate for the audience, topic, and purpose.
Conventions of Standard Written English & Manuscript Citation and Format (10 points): The essay exhibits mastery of both the conventions of Standard Written English and includes a properly formatted Works Cited page, which adheres to
conventions of MLA manuscript citation and format.
