8 th Grade Alternative Assessment Choose one of the following writing assignments.

Due Wednesday, April 18 (this is a long-term assignment, so late papers will not be accepted). Papers will be written in GoogleDocs and shared with either Mrs. Bott or Mrs. Carver. Revisions after the due date (April 18) are not permitted.

Option 1Guidelines for Devil’s Arithmetic – Night Comparison Paper: Gr. 8

This paper is a comparison-contrast study of two books on the Holocaust: Night and The Devil’s Arithmetic. As we discussed in class, you are to choose a theme that you see running through both books. Suggested themes are, but are not limited to, family, religion/faith/spirituality, what is valued, and memory/remembering. Once you’ve decided on a theme, you should look back through both books to find examples of the theme and the topics you’d like to write about.

The paper will have 5 sections:• Part 1: Your thesis statement – what is the overall theme/idea of your paper?

Example: Faith plays a large part in both Night and Devil’s Arithmetic.Follow that statement with a discussion of three different aspects relating to faith that you’d like to discuss. The topic can show differences and/or similarities in the books. You want to keep this paragraph general, but it should give the reader the direction that you’re going. Do not insert quotes or text from the book at this point.This should be one paragraph long.

• Part 2: Take one of your topics/ideas from paragraph one, and expand on it. Give examples, including quotes from the text, to prove your point. Think like a lawyer – for every statement you make, prove your case with examples or quotes from the text. This should be one paragraph long.

• Part 3: Take your second topic/idea from paragraph one, and expand on it. Repeat what you did in Part 2.This should be one paragraph long.

• Part 4: Take your third topic/idea from paragraph one, and expand on itRepeat what you did in Part 2.This should be one paragraph long.

• Part 5: Conclusion Your conclusion should bring all your ideas together, without itsounding like a repeat of what you’ve already written. Try to bring some original thought to the conclusion, drawing together all the thoughts and support you put in parts 2 through 4. This is one paragraph long.

In total the paper should be a minimum of 3 pages long, typed in Arial size 12 font, with margins of ½ inch. The paper will be graded on these requirements, as well as content/knowledge of the material, quality of source material, and writing mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation).

The paper will be typed in GoogleDocs, and shared with Mrs. Bott (bott.lauren@gmail.com). The first draft of the first paragraph is due on Monday, March 26th. At that time, Mrs. Bott will take a look at it and make suggestions for improvement. Please make the appropriate corrections. The finished paper will be saved in GoogleDocs and submitted to Turnitin.

Option 2Research Paper on One Topic of the Holocaust

This is a research and compare/contrast paper on a particular topic relating to the Holocaust in three separate countries. Students must choose one of the following topics:

• Resistance• World Reaction• Ghettos/Relocation• Other Targeted Groups• Legal Restrictions in Nazi Occupied Territory

You must research the chosen topic thoroughly and decide on three different aspects of that topic you’d like to concentrate on. For example, if resistance is chosen, then one aspect could be resistance through writings and publications. You would then find information on writings and publications of the resistance in three different countries, using research-quality information (see evaluation of websites on the library webpage).

The paper will be written in five paragraphs. The first paragraph will have a thesis statement, and then three sentences explaining the specific aspects of the topic that will be explored, and the countries that will be written about in the remainder of the paper. Do not give specifics here; they will be discussed later in your paper.

It is expected that the three body paragraphs will each discuss a particular aspect of the topic chosen, giving examples. Because this is a research paper, it is written in the third person (no I think, opinion).

The structure of the paper is as follows:• Paragraph 1: Thesis statement, and at least one sentence on each aspect of the topic you’ll

be discussing, as well at the countries you’ll be researching.• Paragraph 2: Discussion of the first aspect of your topic. You will compare and contrast that

topic in the three countries you’ve chosen. Give facts and statistics, and footnote within the text.

• Paragraph 3: The same as paragraph 2, but with the second aspect of your topic.• Paragraph 4: The same as paragraph 2, but with the third aspect of you topic.• Paragraph 5: Conclusion. Bring together all your thoughts and information to try to draw

some general conclusions about your topic.• Bibliography in MLA form.

In total the paper should be a minimum of 3 pages long, typed in Arial size 12 font, with margins of ½ inch. The paper will be graded on these requirements, as well as content/knowledge of the material, quality of source material, and writing mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation).

The paper will be written in GoogleDocs and shared with Mrs. Carver (Carver.Kathleen626@gmail.com). The first paragraph is due on Monday, March 26. Mrs. Carver will make comments and constructive criticism on the paper. Please make the appropriate corrections. The finished paper will be saved in GoogleDocs and submitted in Turnitin.