OPTION A: Identify the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s view of the American Dream as communicated in The Great Gatsby. Describe the tone and mood of the text and explain how the author uses archetypes and symbols to communicate its philosophical message. Provide clear and accurate examples and evidence from the text and analyze by using insightful commentary and criticism. INTRODUCTION: ADDRESS PROMPT AND THESIS ATTENTION GETTER: What is the American Dream? Describe why it is important to American culture. NECESSARY BACKGROUND: Summarize how this idea affects the events in the novel. THESIS: Through the use of archetype and symbolism, ____________communicates the Modernist idea/message that the American Dream___________. BODY 1: TONE AND MOOD TOPIC SENTENCE: Who is the narrator and what is the TONE and MOOD of the story that he communicates? INTRODUCE EVIDENCE: How does the choice of narrator communicate this tone? QUOTE or EVIDENCE: Provide two examples of the narrator setting the tone at the beginning of the novel. ANALYSIS: What does the quote or evidence mean? How does it support the theme you identified in your thesis statement? BODY 2: ARCHETYPES TOPIC SENTENCE: Who is the main character? What archetype does he represent? INTRODUCE EVIDENCE: Describe the archetype that he represents. What are the general character traits and motivations of this archetype. QUOTE or EVIDENCE: Provide two examples that prove that your main character represents this archetype. ANALYSIS: What does the quote or evidence mean? How does it communicate the message of the American Dream that you identified in your thesis statement? BODY 3: SYMBOLISM TOPIC SENTENCE: What is symbolism? INTRODUCE EVIDENCE: What ideas do the symbols represent? QUOTE or EVIDENCE: Provide an example of symbolism in the story? ANALYSIS: What does the quote or evidence mean? How does it support the theme you identified in your thesis statement? CONCLUSION: REPHRASE THESIS: What theme or philosophical message do the story’s literary devices convey? RESTATE EVIDENCE: How did you prove your thesis? RELATE: What does F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel contribute to present day American culture and our understanding of the American Dream?   

OPTION B: Write an essay that describes the historical context and defining features of American Modernism and shows how F. Scott Fitzgerald and his novel, The Great Gatsby are part of the Modernist literary tradition. INTRODUCTION: ADDRESS PROMPT AND THESIS ATTENTION GETTER: What is American Modernism? NECESSARY BACKGROUND: What historical event(s) was American Modernism reacting to/against? What were some of its core themes? THESIS: How did F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby fit into the American Modernist movement? BODY 1: SUBVERSION OF TRADITION AND SOCIAL NORMS TOPIC SENTENCE: How were traditional social and cultural norms being challenged during the period of time known as the early Modern period? INTRODUCE EVIDENCE: How did the characters in the novel subvert tradition and social norms? Paraphrase events or details that you will use to prove this. QUOTE or EVIDENCE: Provide two examples of social/ cultural subversion in the novel. ANALYSIS: What does the quote or evidence mean? How does it support your thesis statement? BODY 2: SOCIAL ALIENATION TOPIC SENTENCE: What is social alienation? How does the novel represent the effects or causes of social alienation? INTRODUCE EVIDENCE: Paraphrase events or details that you will use to prove this. QUOTE or EVIDENCE: Provide two examples of the social alienation used by the author. ANALYSIS: What does the quote or evidence mean? How does it support your thesis statement? BODY 3: VALORIZATION OF THE ANTIHERO TOPIC SENTENCE: What is the antihero? Why is s/he valorized or revered in Modern culture and literature? INTRODUCE EVIDENCE: Paraphrase events or details that you will use to prove this. QUOTE or EVIDENCE: Provide two examples of the imagery used by the author. ANALYSIS: What does the quote or evidence mean? How does it support your thesis statement? CONCLUSION: REPHRASE THESIS: What Modernist theme or philosophical message does the novel, The Great Gatsby convey? RESTATE EVIDENCE: How did you prove your thesis? RELATE: What does early American Modernism contribute to present day American culture?   

OPTION C: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel focuses on the male characters, but he has several clearly delineated archetypal female characters as well, each with her own desires, motivations, and needs. Write an essay comparing and contrasting Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and Jordan Baker. What feminine archetypes does each represent? To what extent do these characters in the novel present a critique of American systems of patriarchy? Provide clear and accurate examples and evidence from the text and analyze by using insightful commentary and criticism.