Writer’s Notebook Turn to the writing section of your notebook. Title this entry “Bloodworth” by Gary Soto and write today’s date. Writer’s Notebook Expectations for Memoir Unit: Bring your notebook to class EVERY DAY Try your best to write as much as you can. Don’t worry about being “right.” If you can’t answer the prompt, write about something similar.

“Bloodworth” by Gary Soto Choose one of the two options for your prompt today: Write about a time you got into a fight with someone. (This could be a verbal fight or physical fight with anyone.) What were you fighting about? How did you feel as you were fighting? Be as descriptive as possible. Write about a time you felt close to a parent or another family member. What was it that made you feel connected with this person? How did you feel? Be as descriptive as possible.

How do you think Gary Soto’s experiences have shaped who he is? Soto was born in Fresno, California, in April 1952, to working-class Mexican-American parents. His father died in 1957 when he was only five years old. To help support his family after his father’s death, he worked in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley. He was not motivated in school as a child but became interested in poetry during his high school years. In college, he decided to become an English major. He eventually earned a Master of Fine Arts degree and taught at the University of California. His first collection of poems, The Elements of San Joaquin, won the US Award of the International Poetry Forum in 1976 and was published in 1977. He has written numerous other books of poetry. He has also written three novels, Amnesia in a Republican County, Poetry Lover, and Nickel and Dime; a memoir Living Up the Street, for which he received the Before Columbus 1985 American Book Award He now lives in northern California. How do you think Gary Soto’s experiences have shaped who he is?

While Reading Underline examples of figurative language. Similes Metaphors Personification Idioms Hyperboles

Let’s Try… Check out the similes on page 93. “I had to escape holding my nose like a doorknob.” “Miss Sue shook me like a wet umbrella…” What are the purposes of these similes? Let’s try: Write an original simile to insert in your quick write.

Let’s Try… Soto gives a few flashbacks from page 93 to the bottom of page 95. What’s the purpose of his flashbacks? Let’s try: Write a brief flashback to insert in your quick write that helps explain something in your writing.

After Reading Skip a line in your notebook. Answer the following questions in your notebook: Describe Gary Soto in the short memoir. What is he like as a kid? What is he like as a teenager? How does he change? (Support your answers with examples from the text.) Why do you think Soto acts the way he does as a kid and as a teenager? How have his experiences driven his actions and defined who he is? What is the purpose of this short memoir? What precept or “big idea” is Soto trying to share through his story?