The Hunger Games vs.

Society Today Prompt: It is important to understand literature in the context of our world today because most authors write stories to communicate their opinion about the society they live in. Suzanne Collins herself makes connections between her experiences in society with the society in The Hunger Games. We have examined both the values of the society in Suzanne Collins novel The Hunger Games and the values of our society today by observing how entertainment and media function in each society. For this in-class essay assignment, you will compare how entertainment and media shape values in both the Capitols society and our society today. You must include at least one specific example from The Hunger Games text and at least one example from your personal experiences. A good essay will: - completely address the prompt - have a strong thesis statement & appropriate argument - feature at least one example from The Hunger Games text - feature at least one example from personal experience - focus on the influence of media and entertainment - feature excellent organization and good transitions

6Excellent o Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the prompt o Establishes an exceptionally clear argument in the thesis statement; thesis is in introductory paragraph o Carefully examines one or more than one example from The Hunger Games novel; the examples are relevant, well-chosen and discussed in extensive detail. o Carefully examines one or more than one example from personal experience; the examples are relevant, well-chosen and discussed in extensive detail. o Thoroughly explores the influence of entertainment and media in both societies o Very well-organized essay, excellent transitions 5Advanced o Clearly addresses all aspects of the prompt o Establishes a clear argument in the thesis statement; thesis is in the introductory paragraph o Examines one or more than one example from The Hunger Games novel in detail. o Examines more than one example from personal experience; the examples are mostly relevant and are discussed in detail. o Explores the influence of entertainment and media in both societies o Well-organized essay, good transitions 4Proficient o Addresses all aspects of the prompt o Establishes an argument in the thesis statement; thesis may not be concise o Describes one example from The Hunger Games novel that mostly relates to the prompt o Describes one example from personal experience that mostly relates to the prompt o Describes the importance of entertainment or media in one or both societies o Mostly organized essay, may have transitions but it may be confusing at times for the reader 3Basic o Addresses most aspects of the prompt o Supports a position using generalizations or simplistic ideas as evidence; thesis statement is unclear or unapparent o Locates one example from The Hunger Games novel, does not describe example in detail o Locates one example from personal experience, does not describe example in detail or example is not relevant o Identifies the concept of entertainment or media, does not connect their importance to society o Contains some organization, lacks effective transitions, often confusing to the reader 2Below Basic o Addresses some aspects of the prompt o Includes an unclear, confusing argument that may or may not support a position; no thesis statement o Includes an example from The Hunger Games, but it is vague or only appears in the movie o Includes an example from personal experience, but it is vague and off-topic o Contains limited description of entertainment, media or society; description might be off-topic or unrelated o Contains limited amount of organization, does not have transitions, very confusing to the reader 1Far Below Basic o Does not address the prompt; displays limited or no sense of audience and purpose o Does not contain an argument, does not support a position, does not have a thesis statement o Does not contain an example from The Hunger Games o Does not contain a relevant example from personal experience o Does not address entertainment, media or society in any way o Contains little if any organization, does not have transitions, extremely confusing to the reader