Argument Assignment for The Secret Life of Bees Ms.

Varners Language Arts class

There are many instances in The Secret Life of Bees where one can argue against a certain interpretation. To practice the argument skills we have been talking about in class, you will need to take a stand on a viewpoint from the novel and use text-based evidence to support your stance. Your topic:

Who is the Queen Bee in the novel?

This is a very female-driven plot line, so you have many choices for your stance. Pick the lady you think is most fitting to be the Queen Bee, and back up your stance with evidence from the novel. You will be writing a paper on the subject, following the Toulmin Argument Model. Papers are due at the beginning of class on Monday!

Remember: Cite your passages and quotes in MLA style Have a Works Cited page, even if you only use the novel (you may also use any outside sources you need for your argument, such as science websites that define the roles of bees in a colony SparkNotes and other such sites do not count as outside sources!!!!!) You MUST follow the Toulmin argument model (definitions on back of this assignment sheet) Paper must be at least 3 pages long (longer is fine, but please dont go over 5 )

Learning Targets for this Assignment: o o o o I can site strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. I can determine a central idea (role of Queen Bee) and analyze its development over the course of the text. I can write arguments to support claims in an analysis of this text, using valid reasoning and sufficient evidence. I can provide clear and coherent writing that is appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

The Toulmin Model 1) Claim: the position or claim being argued for; the conclusion of the argument. 2) Grounds: reasons or supporting evidence that bolster the claim. 3) Warrant: the principle, provision, or chain of reasoning that connects the grounds/reason to the claim. 4) Backing: support, justification, reasons to back up the warrant. 5) Rebuttal/Reservation: exceptions to the claim; description and rebuttal of counterexamples and counter-arguments. 6) Qualifications: specifications of limits to claim, warrant and backing. The degree of conditionality asserted.

Rubric
CATEGORY Position Statement 4 The thesis statement names the topic of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed. All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the authors position. Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. 3 The thesis statement names the topic of the essay. 2 The thesis statement outlines some or all of the main points to be discussed but does not name the topic. At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the authors position. Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. 1 The thesis statement does not name the topic AND does not preview what will be discussed. Evidence and examples are NOT relevant and/or are not explained.

Evidence and Examples

Grammar & Spelling

Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the authors position. Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.