Read “If We Must Die”

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44694/if-we-must-die

Write a 200 word analysis that answers one of the following questions:

According to the speaker, how should a person face death? Explain your answer in detail.

Consider the time period during which McKay wrote If We Must Die. How might the social conditions of the era and McKays experience as a black writer in Harlem have informed his views on death and bravery?

In the context of this poem, what does it mean to be brave? Cite evidence from this text, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

Name: Analysis Rubric

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      Proficient     Competent     Insufficient     Unacceptable
Word Count    
Points:
20 (20.00%)
Meets or exceeds word count
   
Points:
16 (16.00%)
Nearly meets word count
   
Points:
12 (12.00%)
Lack of word count
   
Points:
10 (10.00%)
Minimal word count
Analysis    
Points:
20 (20.00%)
Fully analytical. Goes above and beyond.
   
Points:
16 (16.00%)
Somewhat analytical
   
Points:
12 (12.00%)
Lack of analysis
   
Points:
10 (10.00%)
No analysis
Citation    
Points:
20 (20.00%)
Quote with proper citation (author name/page number) included
   
Points:
16 (16.00%)
Quote included but lacking proper citation (author name/page number)
   
Points:
12 (12.00%)
Quote included but lacking attempts at citation
   
Points:
10 (10.00%)
No quote or proper citation
Fig/Conn Device    
Points:
20 (20.00%)
1 figurative/connotative device and its presence in the work included seamlessly
   
Points:
16 (16.00%)
Alludes to 1 figurative/connotative device in the work but somewhat lacking clarity in understanding of the device or its presence in the work
   
Points:
12 (12.00%)
Somewhat alludes to 1 figurative/connotative device in the work but wholly lacking clarity in understanding of the device or its presence in the work
   
Points:
10 (10.00%)
No figurative/connotative device mentioned
Grammar/Mechanics    
Points:
20 (20.00%)
Contains 0-4 errors of spelling, grammar, paragraphing or manuscript format
   
Points:
16 (16.00%)
May contain 5-8 errors, but they do not interfere with overall effectiveness
   
Points:
12 (12.00%)
Contains 8 or more errors which distract readers
   
Points:
10 (10.00%)
Contains serious problems with mechanics, which significantly hinder the overall readability