"A Story for All Times"
Look for one theme that you see present in both the reading (of The Canterbury Tales) and the movie, and that you feel is still alive and applicable to today. Explain in a fully developed essay how you see this theme developed by Chaucer, in the film, and in our current society.
"From Page to Screen"
Look for similarities in theme, characterization, and/or plot between The Canterbury Tales and A Knight's Tale. Explain in a fully developed essay, how you see these similarities included in both, and why you feel both Chaucer and this film director felt these were elements of a story that an audience would respond to.
"The Best of Times, the Worst of Times"
Consider collectively what you have learned about life in medieval England. Explain, in a fully developed essay, why you feel this time period was (or is) creatively inspiring. Include how you felt Chaucer drew inspiration from his surroundings, and how the film replicated these surroundings to create an inspirational tale.
Grading Rubric:
A top scoring essay will be drafted with the following grading criteria in mind:
• Writing should reflect a critical, analytical understanding of Anglo-Saxon unit texts and the requisites of the writing prompt.
• Textual evidence should be smoothly integrated throughout the essay to support ideas and claims, including direct quotes and line number references whenever possible.
• Essay should be well-organized, providing an engaging introduction, well-formulated thesis, effective transitions between paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.
• Writing maintains focus of the prompt throughout, and engages the reader with voice and developed examples.
• Word choice, sentence fluency, structure, and variation, and conventions (grammar, usage, and mechanics) all work together to enhance reader interpretation and understanding.
