Name:

Section: _______

Date: _________

Comparative Literary Essay

Directions: After reading What Are You Afraid Of? and Conquering Fear, write a
comparative literary essay that answers the prompt below:

What Are You Afraid Of? and Conquering Fear both address the idea of fear. What is
the central idea that both authors are trying to show about overcoming fear? How does
each author develop this idea over the course of the text? In your answer, be sure to:

name the central idea that both authors are trying to show about overcoming fear

explain how the author of What Are You Afraid Of? develops this idea

Rubric for Comparative Literary Essay

Outcome

Not Yet

Meets Standards

Exceeds Standards

Plan
Make deliberate
plans, reflect, and
persevere in order to
achieve goals.

___ During class work

periods, student is off
task.

___ During class work

periods, student is on
task most of the time,
but may need some
teacher redirection.

___ During class work

periods, student is on
task and needs no
teacher redirection.

___ Student does not

meet deadlines.

___ Student meets

___ Student gives little most deadlines.
to no consideration to
peer and/or teacher
___ Student gives
feedback.
some consideration to
peer and/or teacher
feedback.
Discern
View, read, and
listen with focused
attention to what
matters.

___ Student is unable

to identify the central
idea in the texts.

___ Student
successfully identifies
the central idea in the
text.

___ Student is able to

explain how the authors ___ Student explains in
of both texts develop
basic terms how the
the central idea.
authors in both texts
develop the central idea.

___ Student meets all

deadlines.
___ Student gives
strong consideration to
peer and/or teacher
feedback.
___ Student
successfully identifies
the central idea in the
text.
___ Student
thoroughly explains
how the authors in
both texts develop the
central idea.

Communicate
Make ideas and
information
understood, mindful
of audience,
purpose, and setting.

___ Student
introduces the topic in a
manner that does not
logically follow from the
task and purpose.

___ Student clearly

introduces the topic in a
manner that follows
from the task and
purpose.

___ Student provides

irrelevant, invalid, or no
evidence. She may only
provide details from
one of the texts.

___Student develops
the topic with relevant
facts, details, and
examples from BOTH
texts.

___ Student
demonstrates little or a
very literal
understanding of the
text. Most of the essay
is summary.
___ Student exhibits
no or partial attempt at
organization, with
inconsistent use of
transitions.
___ Student provides a
concluding statement
or section that is
illogical or unrelated to
the topic and
information presented.

Be Precise
Accurately represent
solutions, ideas, and
language.

___ Student
demonstrates a lack of
command of
conventions, with
frequent errors that
hinder comprehension.
___ Student does not
properly cite evidence.

___ Student
demonstrates gradeappropriate analysis of
the text.
___ Student exhibits
clear organization, with
the use of appropriate
transitions to create a
unified whole.
___ Student provides a
concluding statement or
section that follows
from the topic and
information presented.

___ Student
demonstrates gradeappropriate command
of conventions, with
occasional errors that do
not hinder
comprehension.
___ Student generally
cites evidence properly.

___ Student clearly

introduces the topic in
a manner that is
compelling and follows
logically from the task
and purpose.
___ Student develops
the topic with relevant
and varied well-chosen
facts, concrete details,
and examples from
BOTH texts.
___ Student
demonstrates insightful
analysis of the text.
___ Student exhibits
clear organization, with
the skillful use of
appropriate and varied
transitions to create a
unified whole and
enhance meaning.
___ Student provides
a concluding statement
or section that is
compelling and follows
clearly from the topic
and information
presented.
___ Student
demonstrates gradeappropriate command
of conventions, with no
errors.
___ Student properly
cites all evidence.