Response to

Literature Paper

Essential Question: Based on your reading of Lord of

the Flies by William Golding, is mankind inherently
good, evil, or a combination of the two?

This Packet Belongs to:

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 Table of Contents

The prompt 2
Explanation of the assignment, essential question, background
information, etc.

The Expectations and Requirements 3

Explanation of paper requirements including length, format, due date
expectations, submission requirements, etc.

Exemplary Response 4-6

A sample paper that meets all requirements and is an example of a paper
that would earn a perfect score. In other words, it is what you should be
working toward!

Rubric 7
A breakdown of how you will be graded

Project Calendar 8
A calendar listing due dates, daily learning targets, and daily
assignments
Assignment Checklist 9
A list of all assignments with a checklist next to them. A student tool to
keep track of progress

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 The Prompt

The Essential Question: Based on your reading of Lord of the Flies

by William Golding, is mankind inherently good, evil, or a
combination of the two?

Throughout our reading of Lord of the Flies, we have discussed

Golding’s belief that mankind is inherently evil. Now it is your turn
to express your opinion concerning human nature. You will be
writing a literary response that answers this question and uses
evidence from the book to support a strong thesis.

One of the great things about this assignment is that it is an

opinion piece. This means that you get to choose how you felt about
this question (no right or wrong answer!) as long as you can find
evidence from the book to support your opinion.

***Right now, take out that index card that you received at the
beginning of the period. On that index card, you will be writing 3
things:

1.) Rewrite the prompt (essential question) in your own words

2.) Write your gut response (one word: good, evil, combination)
3.) How can you see this in Lord of the Flies?

When you are finished writing, look up silently at Mrs. Padgett so

she knows you are done.

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 The Expectations and Requirements

Final Draft Due: Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Final Drafts will be submitted online

Length: 5 Paragraphs

650-850 words

Formatting:

Rough Drafts will be handwritten on binder paper

Final Drafts will be typed in Times New Roman, size 12 pt.

Font, double spaced

Word Count should be recorded at the end of the paper

Any references to the book NEED to be properly cited.

RAFT

Role Student Scholar

You are writing from the perspective of a student who
has read and is highly familiar with Lord of the Flies
Audience Scholars
Your reader will be Mrs. Padgett, but your audience
should be broader than just your teacher. You should be
writing for scholars who are familiar with Lord of the
Flies (in other words, you should not spend half the
paper explaining the plot.)
Format 5 Paragraph Literary Response Essay
Topic Human Nature.
Based on your reading of Lord of the Flies by William
Golding, is mankind inherently good, evil, or a combination
of the two?

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Point of View: The majority of the paper should be written in 3rd
person. However, when expressing your opinion, 1st person is
appropriate. 2nd person should not be used.

Verb Tense: Write in either the past or present tense. Whichever you
choose, make sure you are being consistent

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Exemplary Response

Humanity’s Struggle Between Good and Evil

Lord of the Flies by William Golding tells the tale of a group of English boys who

are put to the ultimate test of survival and humanity when their plane crashes and leaves

them stranded on a deserted island without adult supervision. At first glance, the book

appears to be a simple adventure novel, but as the story progresses the reader is plunged

into a world of chaos and disorder. The book quickly becomes a critical examination of

human nature and the state of mankind. Golding believes that mankind is inherently evil,

a belief that is expressed throughout the novel. However, I believe that human nature

cannot be reduced to pure evil. Mankind possesses both good and evil and must

constantly struggle between these two forces, which can be clearly seen through the

characters of Ralph and Piggy.

Throughout the novel, the reader witnesses the protagonist, Ralph, in two

different ways. First, we see the clear-headed leader. When Ralph is elected chief, his

first order of business is to establish peace. Before he conducts any other business, he is

sure to offer Jack leadership over the choir as a way to keep the peace since it is clear that

Jack is unhappy with the result of the election. (23) Rather than gloat, Ralph chooses to

act as a mature leader by ensuring the happiness of those he leads. After establishing

order, he makes it his priority to guarantee the rescue of the boys. While Piggy is

certainly guiding his actions, Ralph humbly accepts the advice of others and ultimately

works for the good of everyone. This version of Ralph is willing to accept both

responsibility and guidance. These qualities make a good leader, but also show a natural

goodness. Rather than abuse his power, Ralph is a strong leader with pure intentions.

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 The second version of Ralph that we see is the savage follower. Ralph becomes

blinded by the ritual of Jack’s hunters and loses sight of his own goodness the night of

the feast and Simon’s death. Ralph and Piggy decide to visit Castle Rock as they give in

to the temptation of the meat that Jack offers. When Ralph makes this decision, he is

choosing, however temporarily, to become a part of the hunting that he has criticized for

much of the novel. He attempts to assert his authority, but fails because he has forgotten

to bring the conch with him. (150) When this symbol of leadership fails, Ralph chooses

to follow Jack’s leadership. He willingly joins in the dance and the violent chant, “Kill

the beast. Cut his throat. Spill his blood.” (152) He ultimately becomes a part of a

murderous pack. While he regrets his involvement, Ralph is undeniably guilty in the

murder of Simon. As he does this, we see the other side of Ralph emerge. He becomes a

savage follower who does not care about what is right or wrong. This version of Ralph

cares about fun, violence, and fitting in above all else.

Finally, we can see the battle of good and evil through Piggy. Throughout the

novel, Piggy offers wise council and patiently accepts teasing and cruelty from the other

boys. At first, Piggy seems to be a genuinely good person to be so understanding.

However, his true intentions become clear. Piggy contains both good and evil, just like

Ralph does. While his actions are mostly good, his motives are selfish. Every time Piggy

feels as though he is being accepted, his reaction reveals his true desires. He is not acting

out of the best interests of the rest of the boys; rather, he is trying to prove his worth in

their society. He seeks acceptance. Piggy’s other source of motivation lies in the world of

grown-ups. He is constantly expressing his concern about what grown-ups are going to

think about the boys. Piggy’s selfish nature ultimately reveals itself after the death of

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Simon. Rather than accept responsibility, Piggy makes excuses for his and Ralph’s

actions. He claims that it was too dark to see anything and even claims that Simon “asked

for it.” (157) Piggy shows the struggle between good and evil through his constant desire

to appear good without actually being good.

In conclusion, while the boys ultimately give into their own evil desires, there is

clearly a struggle between the good that exists within each of them. They strive to be

good, but fail. If mankind was inherently evil, this struggle to be good would not exist.

Lord of the Flies shows us a startling picture of what can happen if we do not cling to our

own goodness. However, it can also give us hope. If we can acknowledge that the

struggle exists, we can be conscious of our own good and evil desires so that we can

focus on the good in each of us.

Word Count: 804

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 Rubric
How will I be graded?
Criteria 1 2 3 4 5
Does Not Meet Partially Meets Meets More than Meets Exceeds
Expectations Expectations Expectations Expectations Expectations
Content/ Ideas Writing is Writing is limited Writes related, Writing is Writing is confident
extremely limited in communicating quality paragraphs, purposeful and and clearly focused.
in communicating knowledge. Length with few details focused. Piece It holds the readers
knowledge, with no is not adequate for contains enough attention. Relevant
central theme development details details enrich
writing
Thesis Writer fails to Writer attempts to Writer clearly Writer creates a Writer creates a
clearly express an express a clear expresses an debatable thesis debatable thesis
opinion opinion opinion through a that clearly
debatable thesis expresses an
argument and
offers a “preview”
of the rest of the
paper
Use of Writer does not use Writer uses 1 or 2 Writer uses Writer uses and Writer’s use of
any evidence from pieces of evidence relevant evidence analyzes evidence evidence and
Evidence
the text but they may not that supports the to effectively analysis effectively
be relevant thesis support the thesis supports the thesis
while keeping the and is expertly.
paper focused on Analysis is
their argument thoughtful and
effective
Organization/ Writing is Writing is brief and Writing uses Writing includes a Writing includes a
disorganized and underdeveloped correct formatting strong beginning, strong beginning,
Formatting
underdeveloped with very weak and incorporates a middle and end middle, and end
with no transitions transitions and coherent closure with some with clear
or closure closure transitions and transitions and a
good closure focused closure

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Conventions Writer makes Writer makes Writer makes very Writer makes 1 if Writer makes no
several several few errors any errors and uses errors and uses
grammatical errors grammatical errors some varied many complex and
that interfere with that do not sentence structures varied sentence
understanding of interfere with structures
paper understanding
Total: /25
x2
/50

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 Project Calendar

Date: Monday 04 Tuesday 05 Wednesday 06 Thursday 07 Friday 08

CA RL 3.5 WS 1.1 WS 1.6 WS 1.3 WS 1.6
Standard RL 3.7 WS 1.6
WC 1.2
Learning I CAN… I CAN… I CAN… I CAN… I CAN…
Targets -Articulate themes -Identify the -Define and List -Choose the best -Use transitional
and conflicts controlling idea of Organizational evidence to phrases to improve
present in LOTF a literary response Patterns support a given the clarity and flow
-Make a judgment paper -Choose the correct argument of writing
about William -Identify the organizational -Choose the best -Finish my rough
Golding’s beliefs controlling idea of Pattern for my way to use this draft
-Combine my literary literary response evidence (direct
sentences in a way response and paper quote, summary,
that combines ideas outline my literary -Define and analogy, etc.)
without confusing response paper identify the best -Begin my rough
meaning thesis for a given draft
paper
Work Due Index Card Pre-Writing Thesis #1 Thesis #2 Rough Drafts Due
(classwork) Handout Outline Due Begin Rough Rafts
Date: Monday 11 Tuesday 12 Wednesday 13 Thursday 14 Friday 15
CA WS 1.2 WS 1.2 ALL! Puttin’ them to the
Standard test

Learning I CAN… I CAN… I CAN… I CAN… I CAN…

Targets -Use connecting -Identify the best -Prepare for the Prove my Unit 5 Begin Unit 6-
words to show the way to conclude a Unit 5 Exam knowledge by Informational Texts
relationship piece of writing earning at least and Understand
between two ideas -Finish and Submit 80% or better on Spring Break
-Revise my rough my Final Draft the unit test Homework
draft for clarity,
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 organization,
grammar, and
quality of writing
Work Due Peer and Self Final Draft Due! Unit 5 Test Prep Unit 5 Test Last day to turn in
Editing Day Response to Lit for
late credit

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 Assignment Checklist
What Assignments am I turning in?

Assignment Title ✓
Title Page (White)
Pre-Writing Assignment (pink)
Outline (purple)
Rough Draft (Binder Paper)
Editing Handout (orange)
Final Draft (to be submitted online)
Rubric (green)

Keep this entire packet in the projects section of your binder. Keep
track of the assignments you are completing using this handy
checklist.

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