1. ENG 102 – Bolton
Essay Assignment 2: Drama (Historical Studies)
Draft Due to TurnitIn for Peer Review: February 23 (by 11:59 pm)
Peer Review Must be Completed By: February 28 (by 11:59 pm)
Paper Due to Instructor: March 6
Length: 2000-3000words (any essay that falls outside the length requirements, whether over or
under, will be penalized 20 points)
Outside Sources Required: Four (the play you are analyzing and three secondary sources—these must
be scholarly, and at least one of them must be a printed book (not e-book)—you will be penalized 20
points for each source that isn’t scholarly and 20 points for each one missing)
Submission Methods: Hard copy (to me), electronic copy to TurnitIn
This is the ―research paper‖ of the semester—ahistorical reading of one of the plays we read in class. A
historical reading analyzes the work through the lens of a historian, considering the time period’s
influences on the characters and situations. There are numerous handouts, worksheets, and examples on
D2L and the course website that you should view to help you as you work on your essay. It is your
responsibility to refer to these handoutsto make sure you understandthe expectations and
requirements of a poetry explication essay. Furthermore,please follow these guidelines when
constructing your essay:
You must write on either Death of a Salesman or Hamlet(essays on other plays will receive a 0)
o Death of a Salesman takes place in America in the 1940s (World War II era)
o Hamlet was written during the Renaissance (1400s-1700s, Europe)
Include an interesting, engaging title
Provide a thesis that is specific, well-developed, and appropriate
o Your thesis and the rest of your essay must effectively interweave the historical
information with your interpretation of the play—I do not want a ―report‖ on the time
period; you are still making an argument via your interpretation of how the time period
affected what happens in the work
Cite at least once from each source in your essay
Choose appropriate sources when researching
o Sources must be scholarly, meaning they must come from the library database or be a
published book—no websites are acceptable
o Include at least one book as a source—a printed, published book, not an E-book.
Follow MLA Format(which means you will have a Works Cited page that includes an entry for
each source used!)
Proofread carefully for grammatical, technical, and mechanical errors
Notes/Reminders:
Peer review will be completed online through TurnitIn—see D2L and the course website for an
instructional video on how to complete peer review
Don’t forget to submit your final essay to TurnitIn as well as turning in a hard copy; with either
one of these submissions, your essay is ―turned in‖ (and not late), but I must receive both copies
within one week of the due date or the essay receives a zero
Consult the rubric, but remember that just because something is included doesn’t mean it will
receive a 10/10 on the rubric; each element must also be effective
For MLA format help, consult your textbook

2. Student Name: _________________________ Peer Review Grade: _____/20
Essay 2: Drama – Historical Studies(200 points)
Scale: 1-missing; 2-unsatisfactory; 3-needs significant work; 4-needs some improvement; 5-needs slight
improvement; 6- acceptable; 7-satisfactory; 8-good; 9-excellent; 10-perfect
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Introduction introduces the text and author, provides
necessary background information about the play and/or
time period, and builds to the thesis
Introduction includes a clear, well-developed thesis that is
focused, argumentative, and effectively states a connection
between the time period and the literature
Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence that relates
to the thesis and outlines that paragraph
Support/body paragraphs are appropriate, concrete, and
well-developed
Examples utilized for support are specific and contribute to
essay’s argument
Essay demonstrates clear understanding of both the literary
work and the time period
In-text citations are formatted correctly and used
effectively to support essay’s thesis
Sources are well-chosen and enhance essay’s claim
Research is effectively incorporated to strengthen essay’s
historical reading
Ideas are clearly stated and logical fallacies are avoided
Essay effectively interweaves a discussion of the literature
with information about the time period
Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas and effectively
summarizes the argument/essay
Essay is well-organized and appropriately structured
Transitions effectively enhance the essay’s flow
Sentence structures are correct, clear, and effective
Second-person (―you‖) is avoided
Unnecessary first-person (―I think,‖ ―I believe,‖ etc.) is
avoided
Vocabulary, language use, and word choices are correct
and appropriate
Grammar, spelling, and mechanics demonstrate correct use
of Standard Edited American English
MLA Format is followed throughout the essay
Total: ______/200 - ______ (points for lateness, length, and/or sources) = _______/ 200