AXES Structure with Flexibility

Rationale Structure and support provide a foundation for academic writing Structure and support provide a foundation for academic writing Too much structure will squelch the writer’s voice Too much structure will squelch the writer’s voice EL students need graphic organizers, visuals, as well as cultural and /or personal connections EL students need graphic organizers, visuals, as well as cultural and /or personal connections This slide would be too overwhelming for EL students, keep it simple and to-the-point This slide would be too overwhelming for EL students, keep it simple and to-the-point Using ART lifts the weights and lowers the affective filter Using ART lifts the weights and lowers the affective filter

AXES PARAGRAPH Developed by the writing labs at CSU’s Developed by the writing labs at CSU’s A format to help you write structured paragraphs. A format to help you write structured paragraphs. Acts like a checklist to make sure you have all the necessary pieces in your paragraphs. Acts like a checklist to make sure you have all the necessary pieces in your paragraphs. For use with single paragraphs or body paragraphs in an essay. For use with single paragraphs or body paragraphs in an essay. Not for introductions or conclusions. We will work on these strategies separately. Not for introductions or conclusions. We will work on these strategies separately.

A= Assertion Your claim, somewhat like a topic sentence only you have something to prove. Your claim, somewhat like a topic sentence only you have something to prove. This statement will direct your paragraph. This statement will direct your paragraph. Usually 1-2 sentences responding to the prompt, either directly or indirectly. In a single paragraph response this should address the whole prompt. In an essay this might address the part of the prompt you will focus on in that particular paragraph. Usually 1-2 sentences responding to the prompt, either directly or indirectly. In a single paragraph response this should address the whole prompt. In an essay this might address the part of the prompt you will focus on in that particular paragraph. IT IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE TRUE! IT IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE TRUE! Can you support it? Can you support it?

Prompt: What story does this painting reveal? Write an assertion (claim) that can be proven by the evidence or clues in the painting.

Organize Your Thoughts EXAMPLES FACTS Evidence It is what you SEE EXPLANATIONS OPINIONS Commentary It is what you THINK about what you see SIGNIFICANCE IMPORTANT What do I understand now? It is what you FEEL about what you think and see

Prompt: What story does this painting reveal? Write an assertion (claim) that can be proven by the evidence or clues in the painting.

A= Assertion Your claim Your claim Usually 1-2 sentences Usually 1-2 sentences This statement will direct your paragraph and respond to the prompt This statement will direct your paragraph and respond to the prompt IT IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE TRUE! IT IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE TRUE! Can you support it? Can you support it?

X = eXample FACTS & Evidence FACTS & Evidence Your support for what you claim Your support for what you claim CONCRETE DETAILS-Details and descriptions from the text quoted or paraphrased, statistics, examples from real life. CONCRETE DETAILS-Details and descriptions from the text quoted or paraphrased, statistics, examples from real life.

Write down EXAMPLES (things you see) that may help you understand this picture.

E = Explanation OPINIONS & EXPLANATION OPINIONS & EXPLANATION Do not repeat your example, rather elaborate on how your example supports your claim Do not repeat your example, rather elaborate on how your example supports your claim EXPLAIN WHAT YOU SEE using your background knowledge and REASONING! EXPLAIN WHAT YOU SEE using your background knowledge and REASONING!

Write down an EXPLANATION for each of your examples showing HOW they help you understand something about the painting.

S = Significance Why is it important? How does it relate to the reader? How does this relate to the other points you made in your essay Why is it important? How does it relate to the reader? How does this relate to the other points you made in your essay Make connections with your life, community, culture, world Make connections with your life, community, culture, world What should I have learned? What should I have learned?

What is the significance of this piece of art? What would the artist want us to learn from it? Why?

Put It All Together! 1. Write your Assertion. 2.Write down one of your eXamples that supports your assertion. 3. Write down the Explanation of your example. 4. Write down one more example and explanation to support your assertion. 5. Write down your Significance- So what? 6. Your paragraph should be 8 sentences long.

Find one more example that supports your assertion and follow it with an explanation.

Review What is an assertion? How do you write a good one? What is an assertion? How do you write a good one? Examples are types of ________ to prove your assertion. Examples are types of ________ to prove your assertion. What are explanations? What is their purpose? What are explanations? What is their purpose? The significance tells why your assertion is _________? The significance tells why your assertion is _________?Questions??

About the Painting: “Street Preacher” by Alex Rubio “Many contemporary Chicano artists focus on issues of culture and identity rather than economics. The paintings of Alex Rubio stand out in their confrontation with the negative aspects of popular Mexican-American life. Neon orange, pink and green lines surround a distorted figure in Rubio's "Street Preacher." Although the man clutches a Bible in one hand and religious tracts in the other, he is clearly not pious. His clothing, tattoos and twisted face reveal his internal evil. Even his rosary is worn as a status symbol rather than an object of devotion. On a slip of paper beneath him is written a "confession" in which the preacher justifies his past actions by saying that he has now found salvation.”

Now you try the same process using your graphic organizer!

Works Cited “Street Preacher” (1995) by Alex Rubio Esu Comes to Mammy, 1998 Esu Comes to Mammy, 1998 by John Yancey Benito Huerta In Case of Emergency, Pull, 1999 “Chicana” by Arlette Lucero California State University San Marcos axes.htm axes.htm

Esu Comes to Mammy Esu is a complex deity in Yoruba cosmology. Esu Elegba opens the way, moves between spiritual and physical worlds, is a messenger of the gods, Lord of the crossroads and the one who tests the judgment of the foolish and arrogant. Mammy, Aunt Jemima, is an American stereotype meant to de-feminize the African American woman and reassure racist assumptions about the role of African Americans in the U.S. There are many other layers of metaphor and allegory in this work.