Ms.

Boutin
10th Grade English
Rules of the Game Writing Assignment
Draft Day October 10th (peer editing/ conferencing)
Due October 13th (1 week)
Purpose: Amy Tans Rules of the Game illustrates the conflicts between a mother and her
daughter in a Chinese-American household. In this assignment, you will analyze the effects of
immigration on the relationship between Meimei and her mother through a characters point of
view. You will also further improve journal writing.
Directions:

Each student will write one journal entry (2-3 pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman)
from the perspective of either Meimei or her mother.
If you choose to write as Meimei, focus on what happens after the story.
a) What happens between her and her mother? Do they make up? Are
they still angry with one another?
b) How does she feel about the way her mother treated her throughout the
story?
c) Does she believe the fact that her mother is an immigrant has
something to do with their differences? Be specific.
If you choose to write as Meimeis mother, focus on her feelings throughout the
story?
a) How does she feel about her daughter playing chess?
b) Why does she parade her around the stores?
c) What impact does she think living in America has had on her
daughter? (Make inferences)
*If you choose to write as Meimeis mother, you do not have to write in the
authentic Chinese-American voice. Write in your own voice but stay true to the character.
Audience: Remember, this is a journal, so the character (you) is writing your honest, personal
feelings.
Style/ Organization: A journal is not a formal essay but be
sure to organize thoughts that go together into paragraphs.
No three page paragraphs.

Get to know the character, become the character, and have

fun!

*I will deduct five points for every day the submission is late.

Journal Rubric
Grammar and mechanics: _______/ 5 pt.
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
Organization: _______/ 10 pt.
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
Use of text details to come to conclusions about thoughts of the character: _______/ 15 pt.
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________
Analysis of character actions through the eyes of the character: _______/ 20 pt.
Comments: ____________________________________________________________________