Constructive Criticism for 8th Grade

[Narrow Gate Academy]

At the completion of Rob Roy by Scott, I asked my 8th grader to write a minimum 1 page plot summary of the book with a paragraph of evaluation using TWTM evaluation questions for the logic stage. We've made several changes already. Here is our current draft. Any thoughts or suggestions?:bigear:

 

 

Rob Roy

 

 

Rob Roy starts as an elderly Francis Osbaldistone writes down his adventures, beginning with the time he was in Bordeaux studying to become a merchant. Francis' father wished him to become a merchant like he himself was, but Francis didn't want to become one or even to work because he thought his father had enough money to take care of him. When he sent his father a letter declining a position in the firm, he was called back to London immediately. Upon his arrival, his father informed Francis that he had lost his place in the firm and was being sent to his uncle and cousins at Osbaldistone Hall. Accordingly Francis went and met his cousins, uncle, and Diana Vernon there. A few days later he was accused of stealing money belonging to the English king. Diana Vernon brought him to a magistrate and made some arrangements with his cousin Rashleigh, who sent Rob Roy MacGregor Campbell to clear Francis. When that was over, Rashleigh was sent to take Francis' place in the firm, and Francis settled into life at the Hall.

Then Francis received a letter from his father's partner saying that Rashleigh had robbed the firm and escaped to Scotland. Francis followed him there and met his father's clerk, Owen. Owen introduced him to Mr. Jarvie, who was a Scottish partner of the firm. Francis and Mr. Jarvie traveled to the highlands of Scotland by Rob Roy's invitation because he had agreed to try to help get the money back. On the way there they were captured by English soldiers and taken along to the highlands because the English had a warrant for the arrest of Diana Vernon and her father, and they thought that Francis and Mr. Jarvie fitted the description. At a narrow pass the English soldiers were attacked by Scotch women and children led by Helen MacGregor Campbell, and Francis and Mr. Jarvie hastily scrambled to safety to watch the outcome of the fight. When the highlanders had defeated the English, the two men were brought before Helen and she began to decide whether or not to kill them. Just then another band of Scotchmen, including Helen's sons, arrived and told her that Rob Roy had been captured. She sent Francis to the nearest English camp to tell their leader that if they wished to see her English prisoners alive again, they would have to release Rob Roy. When Francis delivered the message, the English refused to release Rob Roy and took Francis prisoner. While the two men were being transferred to a fort, Rob Roy escaped and, in the ensuing confusion, Francis also got away. While he was returning to the highlanders, Francis encountered Diana Vernon and her father, and she gave him a packet containing the money that Rashleigh had stolen. Then she left and Francis met up with Rob Roy again, and the two men returned to the highlander camp together. The next day Francis and Mr. Jarvie left and returned to the lowlands. They met up with Francis' father and Owen there and gave them the money. Then Francis, his father, and Owen returned to London.

All at once the Scots rebelled against England. While fighting in this war, Francis' uncle and all his cousins except Rashleigh were killed, and Francis inherited Osbaldistone Hall. During his stay there, he encountered Diana Vernon and her father again. Then the hall was raided by Rashleigh and his friends, and Francis, Diana, and her father were taken prisoner before they could escape. While they were being moved from the hall, Rob Roy and his highlanders attacked, killing Rashleigh and freeing the prisoners. Diana and her father went with Rob Roy and his men, and Francis returned to London. While there he received a letter from Diana, saying that she was in a French convent and her father was dead. Francis went to France, brought her back to England, and married her soon after joining his father in the firm. The years between these happenings and the present time and Diana's death are briefly mentioned, and at this point Francis concludes his story.

The best part of the book was the end, where Francis returned to London and married Diana. The most boring part was definitely the Scottish dialect, which could keep many readers constantly referring to a dictionary. The characters were good, and they kept the story moving briskly, although none of the book seemed very real. I was satisfied with the ending and consider it a good book, but I doubt that I will read it again due to that Scottish dialect being so often used.

[lewelma]

I have not read Rob Roy, so I cannot comment on the summary

The best part of the book was the end, where Francis returned to London and married Diana. The most boring part was definitely the Scottish dialect, which could keep many readers constantly referring to a dictionary. The characters were good, and they kept the story moving briskly, although none of the book seemed very real. I was satisfied with the ending and consider it a good book, but I doubt that I will read it again due to that Scottish dialect being so often used.

I think that your ds has tried to answer too many questions in this one paragraph. I would suggest that he picks just one. For example, why was marring Diana the best part? Or how did the characters keep the story moving briskly? Or Why did the book not seem very real. etc. For 8th grade, I personally would like to see a single question developed with 4 to 8 detailed sentences.

 

HTH,

 

Ruth in NZ