Please grab your SpringBoard books and turn to p 48 (Deconstructing a Writing Prompt). In the writing section of your journal, respond to the following

Please grab your SpringBoard books and turn to p 48 (Deconstructing a Writing Prompt). In the writing section of your journal, respond to the following. What is this writing prompt asking for? If you were to respond to this prompt in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

Write a well-organized essay in response to the following question: What is one of the key themes evident in Bless Me Ultima, and how does the author use literary devices to communicate this theme? Remember theme is not just a topic, but the author’s message on that topic. Provide evidence to support your claim and explain how that evidence illustrates the theme.

ENTRY TASK

Welcome!

Today we will learn how to:* deconstruct and appropriately respond to a writing prompt and* write an effective thesis to guide a well-organized essay.

OBJECTIVES

Before you begin a writing task, it’s important to stop and make sure you understand what the prompt is asking for. It can be easy to get caught up in ideas and details and forget the main task. You may write a response that demonstrates excellent thinking and flawless grammar, but if you do not respond to the prompt, so what?

One way to be sure you understand a writing prompt is to analyze it for these five things ...

DECONSTRUCTING A PROMPT

1. Subject: What is the subject you need to write about? A well-written prompt will identify the subject, but it may be vague. For example, a prompt might tell you to think of a childhood experience. What common themes or ideas (either implicit or explicit) are associated with the subject?


2. Speaker: Who is writing the answer? (You are, but are you writing it as a student, a citizen, an authority?) Use your inferencing skills to determine what perspective you should take as the writer.


3. Type of Response: What kind of response are you writing – expository, persuasive, synthesis, personal narrative? Are you expected to write an essay, a paragraph, or a few sentences? An effective prompt indicates the type of writing you need to do.


4. Task: What is the prompt asking you to do? For example, your task may be to take a stand on an issue and write a five-paragraph persuasive essay. Read the details carefully to identify exactly what you need to do.


5. Hints: Does the prompt give you suggestions to get started? The prompt may suggest ideas to think about or literary devices to identify and analyze.


Prompt 1: Think of something at your school that you would like to change in order to create a more positive learning environment. The change could affect anything from a policy or procedure to an attitude or tradition. In a well-organized persuasive letter, write to an adult at your school presenting the problem, your solution to that problem, and why the environment would change.

1. Subject: something at your school that you would like to change in order to create a more positive learning environment2. Speaker: a student, a learner3. Type of Response: persuasive letter4. Task: write a persuasive letter to an adult at your school presenting the problem, your solution to that problem, and why the environment would change5. Hints: three parts (problem, solution, outcome), to a school official, could be anything from a policy or procedure to an attitude or tradition


1. Subject: Something at my school that I could change, perhaps a policy (like the Tardy Policy) or the exclusive cliques that cause some students to feel left out of social groups, affecting their ability to learn in class.2. Speaker: I am the speaker. I am a student in this school. I will have to use personal experiences and voice will be important.3. Type of Response: I am to write a persuasive letter, using appropriate formatting and deciding whether to be formal or informal. I will need to persuade an adult and use the most persuasive techniques I know.4. Task: Construct a persuasive argument. Present the problem, my solution, and why the environment would change. I will need to include elements of the argument, such as my claim and specific examples to support my claim. It will also be important to show the counterarguments.5. Hints: The prompt gives me a hint on organization because I need three separate chunks: to address the problem, my solution, and why the environment will change. The prompt does not give me the adult to write to, so it might be smart to choose someone who can actually help me initiate the change.


Work independently, with a partner, or with your group to analyze prompt 2 for your group’s assigned element. Use the My Notes space to record your group’s assigned element.


Prompt 2: Contemporary life is marked by controversy. Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue with which you are familiar. Then, using appropriate evidence, write an essay that carefully considers opposing positions on this issue and proposes a solution or compromise.

1. Subject:2. Speaker:3. Type of Response:4. Task:5. Hints:


Prompt 2: Contemporary life is marked by controversy. Choose a controversial local, national, or global issue with which you are familiar. Then, using appropriate evidence, write an essay that carefully considers opposing positions on this issue and proposes a solution or compromise.

1. Subject: controversial local, national, or global issue that you are familiar with2. Speaker: a citizen3. Type of Response: argumentative essay4. Task: write an argumentative essay that considers opposing positions on the issue and proposes a solution or compromise5. Hints: use appropriate evidence, carefully consider opposing positions, choose something you’re familiar with


Work independently, with a partner, or with your group to analyze this prompt for all 5 elements.




1. Subject: Key theme & lit devices in Bless Me Ultima2. Speaker: A reader interpreting literature3. Type of Response: Literary analysis essay4. Task: Write an well-organized essay that explains how the author uses literary devices to communicate a key theme in Bless Me Ultima. Identify a key theme and then how the author uses multiple lit devices to communicate that theme.5. Hints: Theme is not topic, but the author’s message on a topic. Provide evidence of the author using multiple lit devices to communicate your chosen theme and then explain how your evidence supports your claim that the author is using these lit devices to communicate this theme.


The five-paragraph essay is an excellent way to organize your thinking in a clear and logical progression. A clear, arguable thesis provides a roadmap for your essay. Your entire essay is built upon your thesis, so it’s important to get it right! It should be a CAR that drives your essay:

Clear (not vague or confusing)Arguable (debatable claim, not a fact)Roadmap (lay out where you’re going: how will you support your claim?)

ORGANIZATION IN WRITING

Your thesis:

1) describes your topic, what your essay will be about.2) introduces a specific claim you are making about your topic.3) describes three ways in which you will support and develop your claim.

THESIS = subject + claim + 3 points of support


Let's look at this example:

"Going back to college was a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission, and

enrolling in classes."

Can you find the three different components in this thesis statement?

Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

1) The Subject or Topic of the Essay:

"Going back to college..."

The essay is about going back to college.

But there is a lot to say on this subject, so now you have to narrow it down to one specific claim.


2) The Claim Made About the Subject or Topic of the Essay:

"Going back to college was a complex process..."

The topic is narrowed down to the complexity of going back to college. Now the topic is easier to talk about.

You just need to listthree points to support this claim.


3) Three Points of Support for the Claim:

"...a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission

and enrolling in classes."

Three reasons going back to college is complex:

1) you need to research a school2) you need to apply for admission3) you need to enroll in classes


"Going back to college was a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission, and

enrolling in classes."

1.subject or topic2.claim3.three points of

support


Supporting your Claim:

Your thesis statement comes in your introductory paragraph; then you need devote at least one paragraph

for each supporting point.

One paragraph will be about researching a school.The next paragraph will discuss applying for admission.

And the third paragraph will be about enrolling in classes.

These will be followed by the concluding paragraph, summarizing how these points prove your claim.


Do I have to list three points of support in my thesis?

Not necessarily, but it is one way to make sure that your thesis is a CAR (clear, arguable roadmap).


To write a strong thesis for your Bless Me Ultima essay, consider:

1) What is the subject?2) What claim will you make about the subject?3) What will your three points of support be?


Try using this format for your thesis: In the novel (title), (author’s name) uses (lit device 1), (lit device 2), and (lit device 3) to communicate that (theme). In the novel Bless Me Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya uses juxtaposition, imagery, and symbolism to communicate that although outside influences and pressures abound, the creation of our destiny is ultimately in no one’s hands but our own.


Each paragraph then has a topic sentence that connects back to the thesis. You can think of your topic sentences as baby theses.

Baby thesis 1 / topic sentence 1: How Anaya uses Lit Device 1 to communicate themeBaby thesis 2 / topic sentence 2: How Anaya uses Lit Device 2 to communicate themeBaby thesis 3 / topic sentence 3: How Anaya uses Lit Device 3 to communicate theme


Mama/papa thesis: In the novel Bless Me Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya uses juxtaposition, imagery, and symbolism to communicate that although outside influences and pressures abound, the creation of our unique destiny is ultimately in no one’s hands but our own.Baby thesis 1: Anaya uses juxtaposition to highlight the intensity of the tug-of-war between the opposing forces vying for Antonio’s identity.Baby thesis 2: Additionally, the imagery Anaya employs indicates Antonio’s confusion as he attempts to reconcile the contradictory influences pressuring him.Baby thesis 3: Finally, Anaya uses symbolism to indicate that no one but Antonio can decide his destiny.


Now just follow up your topic sentence with evidence that supports it and an explanation of how your evidence supports it!Baby thesis 1: Anaya uses juxtaposition to highlight the intensity of the tug-of-war between the opposing forces vying for Antonio’s identity.Next sentence: An example from the text of an instance where Anaya uses juxtaposition to communicate this idea (with enough context that the example makes sense).Next sentence: An explanation of how the juxtaposition helps communicate this idea.


Remember that the purpose of your entire paper is to prove or support your thesis. Choose each piece of evidence carefully to support your thesis, and ALWAYS explain how each piece of evidence supports your thesis.


The two key questions you are answering in your Literary Device Glossary entries are these:

1) How does the usage of this lit device in this passage help achieve the author’s purpose in this passage?2) How does the usage of this lit device in this passage help achieve the author’s purpose in the work as a whole?

LIT DEVICE GLOSSARY

When you think about “author’s purpose,” what is the key purpose for which authors write texts?

LIT DEVICE GLOSSARY

You may talk about how the author’s use of foreshadowing in this passage brings attention to this very important plot event. Now go one step further – why is this plot event so important to the development of the theme (the achievement of the author’s purpose: to deliver a message)?

LIT DEVICE GLOSSARY

You may say that the use of metaphor in this passage indicates that a certain character is trustworthy or wise. Now go one step further – how does this help send the author’s message and thereby achieve his purpose?

LIT DEVICE GLOSSARY

“Anaya uses the golden carp to symbolize Antonio’s confusion and demonstrate how conflicted Antonio is.” Yes, but WHY is it important that the author communicate how conflicted Antonio is? How does that help Anaya achieve his purpose? His purpose goes deeper than showing us that Antonio is conflicted – he is showing us that Antonio is conflicted to communicate a message. What is that message, and how does this help deliver it? “Anaya uses Antonio’s inner conflict to demonstrate the importance of questioning and examining one’s beliefs and choosing one’s own path instead of walking a path that others have chosen.”

LIT DEVICE GLOSSARY

Review proper citations, both for in-text parenthetical citations and a works cited! See the example I gave you in the Lit Device Glossary assignment and the document called “Citations” under Helpful Resources on my website.

LIT DEVICE GLOSSARY

TOMORROW: Vocab quiz 3 on Vocab boxes 5 & 6

DUE WED 12/16 midnight to Turnitin.com: Lit Device Glossary entry 2 (Joy Luck Club)

DUE FRI 12/18: ALL LATE WORKI will accept revisions up until semester finals (Tues 1/26).

ASSIGNMENTS

Remember that in order to submit revisions, you must ALWAYS submit your graded original with rubric to the revised work box. For Bless Me Ultima essay revisions, please type up and submit your revision on Turnitin.com. Lit Device Glossary revisions are submitted to the revision assignment on Turnitin.com.

REVISIONS

Please grab a Chromebook and check my feedback on your Lit Device Glossary entry 1 on Turnitin.com while I hand back Bless Me Ultima essays and Lit Device rubrics. You have the rest of the period to work. I recommend working on Lit Device Glossary entry 2 (Joy Luck Club) as it is due Wed midnight.

WORK TIME

TOMORROW: Vocab quiz 3 on Vocab boxes 5 & 6

DUE WED 12/16 midnight to Turnitin.com: Lit Device Glossary entry 2 (Joy Luck Club)

DUE FRI 12/18: ALL LATE WORK (with late tickets) – I will accept revisions up until semester finals (Tues 1/26).

ASSIGNMENTS

Documents

Please grab your SpringBoard books and turn to p 48 (Deconstructing a Writing Prompt). In the writing section of your journal, respond to the following