November
Friday, November 7, 2008 (classwork)
Introductions and Thesis Statements
What is the purpose of an intro sentence?
To capture the reader’s attention and indentify the focus and topic of
the essay.
What is an intro?
A lead sentence and thesis statement.
What is a lead sentence?
A sentence or group of sentences that captures the reader’s attention.
What are some ways to capture your reader’s attention?
Dialogue – “I can’t believe I failed Math?
What am I going to tell my parents?”
Anecdote – On a cold fall day, Dad and I were golfing.
We were laughing and enjoying the day when I asked…
Statistic – Nine out of ten students love the
Yankees.
Descriptive – Dark and stout yet sweet and smooth
Opinion – More intelligent than dogs, cleaner
and neater than birds, cats make perfect pets.
Interesting fact – These celebrities of the animal
kingdom have been featured everywhere from Broadway to King Tut’s
tomb!
Quote – “I will travel the globe to play golf,” says
golf superstar Tiger Woods, “as long as I can bring my father!”
Question – Are you looking for a sport to enjoy
in your youth, middle age and senior years? Then look no more! Buy yourself
some clubs!
What is a thesis statement?
A sentence that briefly and clearly tells the reader what the entire piece
is all about.
Monday, November 10, 2008 (classwork)
What is a conclusion?
A conclusion is a paragraph at the end of an essay that “sums up” the ideas of the essay without being redundant.
What are some ways to creatively conclude an essay?
• Hypothetical anecdote. This is a situation that would,
hypothetically, put the reader in contact with your topic.
EXAMPLE: So, if you’re ever strolling past your neighborhood
pond and you come across a fascinating slick, green hopping creature, stop
and take another look! From egg to tadpole, from tadpole to frog, these creatures
are amazing!
• Series of questions. In this, you are asking a question
or series of questions that specifically refer the reader back to the main
ideas.
EXAMPLE: Do you enjoy being serenaded by a chorus of croakers?
Would you enjoy a nature walk by the marsh or pond? Are you entertained by
the flopping about of tadpoles and leaping of long-legged green frogs? If
so, you should get to know the common, yet fascinating frog!
• Description. Using descriptive words and/or phrases
to restate your main ideas in a creative way.
EXAMPLE: Whether long-tailed tadpole babies or long-legged
leaping adults, these slick green amphibians are the delight of the pond!
Now that you know these creatures a bit better, you will appreciate them
more!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 (classwork)
Eleven
Choose one question from each color and answer in paragraph form.
Due Friday morning.
*Explain one of the comparisons that Rachel makes to explain what it's like to get older.
*Why can't Rachel tell Mrs. Price the truth about the red sweater?
*What ages that Rachel mentions do you associate with special events/adventures in your life?
*Put yourself in Rachel's shoes - write a BRIEF letter to your BFF about your bad day and
how it made you feel.
Monday, November 17, 2008 (class notes)
Comma Punctuation Prompt
When something you read something that makes you "stop & think".
It's like making connections!
Text to Self - This passage made me stop and think about the time I......
Text to Text - This passage made me stop and think about the book/story/article I read....
Text to World - This passage made me stop and think about that picture I saw/that guy in the news/etc....
Tuesday, November 17, 2008 (class notes)
Expository Pillar. Click on it to download a blank one!
Thursday, November 17, 2008 (class notes)
Author's Purpose
1. To entertain people / make them laugh.
2. To persuade or convince to reader(s) to believe something.
3. To inform or teach the reader(s) something.
When you read any book/story/piece, it is important to understand why it was written.
Keeping this is mind - what do you/your book club think the author's purpose was in "Around the River Bend"?
Friday, November 21, 2008 (class notes)
Author's Purpose
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 (classwork)
Respond to 2 of the following questions (one of each color)
*What was the author's purpose in writing this story?
*What was MY purpose (as the teacher) in choosing this story for you to read?
*The "letting go" of Ol' Yeller at the end of the story symbolizes the author "letting go"
as well. Explain.
*How do you think the author has "changed" throughout the story? Explain. Refer
to other books/texts if needed.