English 1 The Scarlet Ibis Essay Prompt

Write an essay telling how, even though he loves his little brother, the narrator in The Scarlet Ibis causes
Doodles death. Give three reasons why the narrator, Brother causes Doodles early death.
In each body paragraph, discuss how the narrator secretly wanting to kill him, trying to put him on a
development program, and pushing Doodle too hard leads to the end.
You may also put in comments about how guilty Brother feels after he finds Doodle under the tree, and how
Brother has taken a future away from Doodle. You will be graded on the following:

Introductory Paragraph:
Hook
Authors NameJames Hurst
The title, The Scarlet Ibis in quotation marks
Thesis statement with a subject and opinion
Body Paragraphs:

Three body paragraphs, each with a different topic sentence

At least two quotes with page numbers in each paragraph

Two commentaries (this shows that) after each quote

(this also shows that, its horrible to imagine that, etc.)
Concluding Paragraph:

One sentence restating your thesis

Summarize the body paragraphs

At least one sentence finishing the essayan image of the red

bird, an image of Brother sheltering Doodle from the rain, etc.

Grading:
Criteria
Response to Topic
Fulfills the Writing Task
Organization
Ideas in Order
Format Correct
Support
Provides Evidence
Examples
Details
Data
Mechanics
Correct sentences
Grammar
Spelling Punctuation
Rough Draft
Outline (see below)

Peer EditStep 1: Outline

Find quotes for each body paragraph. On a separate sheet of paper (you will turn this in with your final draft for
credit), copy down and fill out the following chart. You must have at least two quotes per body paragraph.
Quotes

Explication (explain how the quotes

support the body paragraph topic).

Reason 1: Quotes that show how the

narrator secretly wants to kill Doodle (his
cruel side).
1.
2.
Reason 2: Quotes that show how the
narrator tries to put Doodle on a
development program.
1.
2.
Reason 3: Quotes that show how the
narrator pushes Doodle too hard.
1.
2.

Example:
Reason 1:
1. It was bad enough having an invalid
brother, but having one who was possibly
not all there was unbearable. So I began to
make plans to kill him (555).

Explication:
1. In the beginning, the narrator wanted to kill
Doodle because he was ashamed of him.
The narrator explains his thoughts to the
reader.

Outline for The Scarlet Ibis

Introduction Paragraph:
First sentence: HOOK
o Good ideas for a hook: a quote, a general statement, shocking information, or a question
Second sentence: Connecting Sentence
o Connect the hook to the story. Include the title and author.
Third and Fourth Sentences: Basic information/background of the story.
o If the reader had never read this story before, what is the BASIC information he/she needs to know
to understand your essay?
Introduce main characters (full names and nicknames)
Briefly introduce Doodles condition
Fifth Sentence: Thesis Statement
o Even though he loves his little brother, the narrator in The Scarlet Ibis causes Doodles death.

Body Paragraphs:
1. Topic sentence: State the topic of the paragraph. Include a transition word.
2. Quote:
3. Commentary: Explain the quote, why is it important, what specifically does it show?
4. Commentary: Your opinion about the quote
5. Quote:
6. Commentary:
7. Commentary:
8. Concluding Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph. Restate the topic of the paragraph.
Conclusion Paragraph:
1. Restate thesis statement from introduction paragraph.
2. Sentences 2-4 should summarize each body paragraph topic.
3. Final Statement.
a. Can be about Doodle, the brother, or the relationship.
b. May also include some insight about how the scarlet ibis (title of the story) is a symbol of a
fragile person like Doodle.