Senior Tim Murray presents this analysis of setting in works by two American writers.

In this good literary analysis, a high school senior reveals major themes by contrasting two descriptions of the same setting, one at the beginning and the other at the end of The Lord of the Rings.

This fair literary analysis describes the various settings used in Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes comic strips.

This poor literary analysis has some interesting ideas but needs much more development.

A high school student prepared this speech to deliver at a local meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars. The speech combines narrative and argumentation to build a vision for the future of the United States.

In this strong scholarship application essay, the writer responds to the prompt with a wide array of key details.

In this effective response to a college-entrance prompt, a student humorously describes his beard, using the occasion to poke fun at himself but also reveal his unique perspective.

This fair personal essay responds to a college-entrance prompt, though its formulaic nature and general support leave it unremarkable for readers.

This poor personal essay responds to a college-entrance prompt. The ideas are largely negative and underdeveloped, which will not encourage the college representative to score the response highly.

This good problem-solution essay argues for renewable, carbon-neutral ethanol fuel to reduce green-house emissions and support energy independence.