Write an essay in which you explain whether Willy Loman meets the criteria for a modern tragic hero according to Arthur Miller, and in which you also explain your opinion as to the degree to which Loman is tragic.

Write an essay in which you explain whether Willy Loman meets the criteria for a modern tragic hero according to Arthur Miller, and in which you also explain your opinion as to the degree to which Loman is tragic. Evaluation: The essay will be evaluated with the provided rubric. Although we will work on this essay in class, you may need to devote time to this assignment outside of class. Grade Scale 19-20 100 18 95 17 90 16 85 14-15 80 13 75 12 70 11 65 10 60 9 or fewer 55 Criteria 4-Excellent 3-Satisfactory 2-Approaches Expectations 1-Unsatisfactory Ideas & Content *The writer has analyzed Willy in terms of how he meets Arthur Miller’s definition of tragedy. *Specific examples are used and explained. *The writer explains whether Willy is truly tragic, and this explanation/interpretation is guided by the student’s thesis. *The writer attempts an analysis of Willy as meeting Miller’s definition of tragic hero. *Examples are used, but these may not be specific. *The writer provides a surface-level explanation instead of a deep interpretation guided by the thesis. *The writer provides a summary instead of an interpretive piece when attempting to analyze Willy. *There are few examples used. *The writer does not respond to the prompt. *No relevant examples are provided. Organization *The introduction provides background for the play, and a strong thesis statement is present which indicates how Willy fits Miller’s definition, and whether Willy is truly tragic in the writer’s eyes with a main reason why. *The body paragraphs have topic sentences. *The student uses logical transition phrases to connect ideas throughout the essay. *The conclusion contributes to the paper by reemphasizing main points. The conclusion leaves the reader with an “aha” moment; in essence, the reader understands the significance of the writer’s argument through his/her conclusion. *The introduction provides background information for the play. The thesis statement may be too general/broad. *The body paragraphs have identifiable topic sentences. *The student may use transitions, but these are elementary; OR the student may not consistently use transition phrases throughout his/her essay. *The conclusion may contribute to the paper by reemphasizing the main points. The writer may need to do more to convey the significance of the topic in the conclusion. *The introduction merely summarizes the introduction. *The body paragraphs may not include identifiable topic sentences. *The student uses elementary transition words. *The conclusion merely restates the points in the introduction. *The introduction is unfocused. There is no background information provided about the play, nor is there an identifiable thesis statement. *The body paragraphs are not well developed; they do not have identifiable topic sentences. *There are no transition words are phrases used throughout the essay. *The conclusion is missing. Sentence Fluency *The writer uses a variety of sentences throughout the essay. *There are no run-on sentences or sentence fragments in the essay. *There is an attempt to vary some of the sentences in the essay. *There may be one or two run-on sentences or sentence fragments. *The sentences are choppy in some sections of the essay. *There may be a few run-on sentences or sentence fragments. *The sentences are choppy throughout the essay. *There are several run-on sentences or sentence fragments. Conventions *The writer’s page is set up correctly according to MLA formatting guidelines. *There are no spelling or grammar errors. *The writer cites evidence according to MLA formatting guidelines. *The writer’s page is mostly set up correctly according to MLA formatting guidelines. *There may be one or two spelling or grammar errors. *The writer cites some evidence according to MLA formatting guidelines. *The writer may not have his/her page set up according to MLA formatting guidelines. *There may be a few spelling or grammar errors. *The writer does not use MLA formatting guidelines consistently as he or she cites evidence. *The writer ignores MLA formatting guidelines as he or she sets up his/her page, and as he/she cites evidence. (Evidence may not even be cited.) *There are several spelling and grammar errors. Word Choice & Voice *The writer’s words are precise and varied. The writer speaks in an individual, compelling and engaging way which is professional in tone. *The writer does not use personal pronouns in the essay. *The writer’s words are somewhat precise and varied. *The writer manages to convey a mostly professional tone throughout the essay.