Philip Nel > Courses > English 355: Literature for Children (Spring 2008) > Paper #2 > Guidelines for Grading

Guidelines for Grading

Middle-grade readers (Creative Assignment + Short Essay)

        For this option, your creative work should bear the influence of the principles outlined in the assignment, and your essay should demonstrate

1. How your story intersects with (and/or departs from) Arnold Lobel's four Frog and Toad books. Review your notes on how Lobel's stories work.
2. An awareness of the length and vocabulary of middle-grade readers. Each story should be no more than about 350 words long, and should limit its word choice to "Grades 1-3."
3. How the story subtly delivers its moral or morals.

The essay explaining the intentions of your creative work will be very important.