Do Now: Writing “Circumstances”

Read “You start believing that you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly. And then you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. And because you’re Indian you start believing you’re destined to be poor. It’s an ugly circle and there’s nothing you can do about it. Poverty doesn’t give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance. No, poverty only teaches you how to be poor.” –Junior Spirit Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian (Sherman Alexie)

Think Through the narrator Junior, Sherman Alexie argues the point that the circumstances we are born into can play a major role in the path our lives will take. Think about the environment or situation in which Junior grows up. How much control does he have over what happens in his life?

Your task today: Write an essay explaining how one’s environment or circumstances can affect one’s life.

Brainstorming First, let’s think of what the prompt means by “environment” and “circumstances.” 1. How would you describe Junior’s environment in “Why Chicken”? 2. What are other possible environments or circumstances a person could face?

Prompt: Prompt: Write an essay explaining how one’s environment or circumstances can affe ct one’s life. For the next two minutes, write a sentence stating two ways a person’s environment can affect that person’s life. Hint: Use the language of the prompt to write your complete sentence.

Take a breath and indent. Think of a character in a movie, television show, or book whose environment determined the path he or she took in life. For the next four minutes, explain how that person’s environment affected them.

Take a breath and indent. Think of a current or historical event in which someone’s life was affected by their environment. For the next four minutes, explain how that person’s life was affected by their environment or circumstances.

Take a breath and indent one more time. In the next two minutes, end your essay by answering the question “so what?” Explain to your readers why your message should matter to them.

Final Step! Take three minutes to edit and revise your paper. Follow these steps: ◦Carefully and slowly re-read what you wrote. ◦Re-write sentences or add/delete words to make sure your point is clear. ◦Add transitions at the beginning of your paragraphs (first, for example, in addition)