Webpage for Regents' Literature Essay Writing

Regents' Literature questions

Essay question 1

Some work of literature surprise the reader with unexpected yet reasonable ending. From the literature you have read, choose two works that have surprised ending. For each work, relate the ending. Use specific references from each work. Explain how the ending of Each work is unexpected yet reasonable. Give titles and authors.

Essay question 2

Although some characters in literature hide their anger, but that anger still influences the action and decision. From the literature you have read, choose two works in which hidden anger influences the characters' action and decisions. For each work, identify the character. Use specific references from each work. Explain the source of the character's anger. Tell how that hidden anger influences the character's action and decisions. Give titles and authors.

Essay question 3

Authors often create a predominant mood in a work of literature. The mood may be happy, tense, fearful, mysterious, or any other mood. From the literature you have read, choose two works in which the author has created a predominant mood. For each work, identify the mood. Using specific references from each work, discuss incidents that illustrate that mood and explain the importance of the mood to the work. Give titles and authors.

Essay question 4

Some individuals in literature believe that the established law is above everything, and following it is the only right thing to do. They even sacrifice their loved ones or family members to do what's supposed to be right. But in consequence they suffer deeply from the seemingly righteous action. Choose two works of literature you have studied in which the individuals seem to do the right thing yet later suffer from what they have done. For each work, identify the individuals and describe the allegedly right thing they did. Use specific reference from each work to explain how they suffer after the righteous action is taken. Give authors and titles.

Sample essay question

Some individuals in literature engage unlawful and improper behavior, yet these individuals may seem to be appealing and likable. Choose two works of literature you have studied in which the individuals seem to engage in unlawful and improper behavior yet seem to be appealing and likable. For each work, identify the individuals and describe his/her unlawful or improper behavior. Use specific reference from each work to explain what makes the individual appealing and likable despite his/her unlawful and improper behavior. Give titles and authors.

1. Introductory paragraph

1. Thesis statement quoted directly from the essay question. For example, " Some individuals in literature engage unlawful and improper behavior, yet these individuals may seem to be appealing and likable."(5 points)
2. Give the title and author of each work that may be used to illustrate the thesis. For example," Two works of literature that contain these type of characters are The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald, (5points) and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (5 points)."

1. Body

1. Use the first literary work to illustrate the thesis. Identify the character and connection in a topic sentence. For example," Oedipus in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex is such a character who is engaged in unlawful and improper behavior but still seems to be appealing and likable."(5 points)
2. Right after the topic sentence, provide specific references from the work to illustrate the two parts of the question stated in your topic sentence. First, describe what happened relating to the 1^st part of the question. For example, "Oedipus killed his father and married his mother, although he did it innocently…"(Provide only relevant details that tell the story how Oedipus killed his father and married his mother.)(10 points)
3. Second, answer the 2^nd part of the question, and provide your reasons or relevant details from the work. For example, "Although Oedipus' behavior is unlawful and improper, he seems to be sympathized and even liked by many readers. He did kill his father but…. He did marry his mother but…. "(Provide your reasons by using specific references from the play.)(10 points)

Paragraph 2

4. Use the secondary literary work to illustrate the thesis. Identify the character and connection in a topic sentence. For example," Gatsby in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is such a character who is engaged in unlawful and improper behavior but still seems to be appealing and likable."(5 points)
5. Right after the topic sentence, provide specific references from the 2^nd work to illustrate the two parts of the question stated in your topic sentence. First, describe what happened relating to the 1^st part of the question. For example,"The unlawful thing Gatsby did was his ways of making his living. He was immensely rich, which is described in great details in the book, such as his house and the parties he threw, but his wealth was gained in smuggling liquor illegally. He was called a bootlegger by Tom, who is another character in the book. There was even rumor implying that he murdered someone. He also lied about his past to Daisy…." (10 points)
6. Second, answer the 2^nd part of the question, and provide your reasons or relevant details from the work. For example, "Although Gatsby's behavior is full of defects, he is still liked by his readers. His devoted love for Daisy… The sincerity in his personality…The purity of his character…"(Provide your reasons and specific references to support your statements.)(10 points)

III. Conclusion

9.Write a few sentences leaving your readers with a final thought that helps them see the importance of your message, or tie up all of the important points in the essay which help your readers have a better understanding of your point (Restate your thesis in different words). For example, "In reality, we often hold very negative opinions about those who have done things unlawfully or improperly. But from the two works of literature discussed in the essay, we can see if we go beneath the surface, we may see the other side of the truth. Although the purpose of the essay does not aim at encouraging people to overlook this type of people, it does try to alarm people that beneath the hard crust of the surface, there might be a soft sport that deserves our love and forgiveness. Oedipus' predestined life, Gatsby's ardent pursuit of American dreams, don't you agree people who try to defy their cursed destiny or hold fine qualities in their personalty deserve our like and sympathy?"(10 points)

1. Other significant aspects in addition to Meaning and Development

10. Conventions (10 points)

a) spelling b)sentence structure c)punctuation d)capitalization e)correct use of words

11. Organization(10 points)

a) 4-6 paragraphs clearly showing the introduction, body, and conclusion of the essay

b) Ideas and sentences are organized logically

12. Language(10 points)-the level of sophistication