1. 8th 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 1
Guidelines 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 it
Repeat what you did in Part 2.
This should be one paragraph long.
• Part 5: Conclusion
Your conclusion should bring all your ideas together, without it
sounding 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.

2. Option 2
Research 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.