ENG 403/4A Hamlet Final Assessment Due Wednesday, 12/20, 11

ENG 403/4A Hamlet Final Assessment Due Wednesday, 12/20, 11:30 PM

At the end of the Hamlet unit, you will have two choices to earn 100 points. These choices replace the final essay test that was in the course originally. You can choose only ONE of the following options, and the due date remains the same. These activities will be graded just like the test would have been, meaning there is no chance to redo or revise the assignment. However, this will be taken into consideration when I grade them.

No matter what option you choose, it must be completed in a Word document and labeled or titled so that it is clear to your teacher which option you chose. On your document, write it as a heading, like this: Your first and last name Date Name of the option you chose Models of each assignment can be found in class announcements.

Option #1: RAFT

A RAFT is a writing assignment that encourages you to uncover your own voice and formats for presenting your ideas about the content you are studying. In this design, you have a lot of freedom to choose what interests you.

· R = Role of the writer: Who are you as the writer?

· A = Audience: To whom are you writing?

· F = Format: In what format are you writing?

· T = Topic: What are you writing about?

The process:

  1. Use the chart below to choose two characters from the ROLE column. Your goal is to write in the voice (Role) of YOUR CHARACTER.
  2. Using the knowledge and understanding that you have gained throughout the reading and viewing of Hamlet, choose a related Audience, Format, and Topic from the chart below.
  3. Craft your creative writing assignment, ensuring your character’s personality and motivations are evident. For example, if you choose Ophelia (role), Hamlet (audience), blog entry (format), and betrayal (theme), then you will write a blog entry from Ophelia’s point of view with Hamlet as the recipient about betrayal.
  4. Repeat this process for a different role, audience, format, and theme.
  5. See the model below (pg. 8) for guidance. If unsure about a format, look up examples online.
  6. YOU MUST CHOOSE TWO CHARACTERS FROM THE ROLE LIST AND COMPLETE TWO DIFFERENT RAFTS. EACH MUST BE AT LEAST 200 WORDS AND DIFFERENT IN ROLE, AUDIENCE, FORMAT, AND THEME.
  7. You may use some words from the play, but they must be in quotation marks. The goal is to use your own words. No outside sources are allowed.
  8. You can write about a particular scene, event, or the entire play. Write in the voice of the character, reflecting their personality and motivations.

Role, Audience, Format, Theme choices:

  • Roles: Prince Hamlet, Polonius, Ophelia, Claudius, Gertrude, Horatio, Laertes, King Hamlet, Prince Fortinbras
  • Audience: Your teacher is NOT your audience
  • Formats: Letter, Essay, Speech, Journal entry, Newspaper article, Letter to the editor, E-mail, Declaration, Eulogy, Closing Argument in Courtroom, Blog entry, Poem, Sonnet
  • Themes: Anger, Courage, Revenge, Paranoia, Love, Obsession, Betrayal, Suicide, Depression, Corruption, Weakness, Deception, Ambition, Loyalty, Madness

Option #2: Personal Soliloquy

This option involves writing your own soliloquy modeled after Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” monologue, exploring your underlying fears.

Hamlet’s soliloquy examines fears about death, the unknown, and moral dilemmas. Your task is to write a personal soliloquy reflecting a situation of indecision and underlying fear, similar in tone to Hamlet’s monologue.

Key points to decide on:

  • Describe the situation.
  • Identify your fear.
  • Determine what is at stake if you confront this fear.
  • Explore potential gains and losses from facing your fear.
  • Reflect on symbolic meanings of taking or avoiding action.
  • Describe the complex dilemma (“the rub”).
  • Choose your point of view (first person, character, or other perspective).

Read the model soliloquy, then write your own, ensuring it echoes Hamlet’s verse, matches the emotional tone, and explores your personal fears and moral conflict.

Your soliloquy must be about 150-200 words, written in verse, and reflect your own experience or perspective. Use your own words; outside sources are not permitted. You may draft initially and then finalize for submission.

Grading Criteria: The assignment will be graded on adherence to the guidelines, depth of reflection, originality, and writing mechanics. It must be a final draft, polished and clear.

Due Date: Wednesday, 12/20, 11:30 PM.

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