Bellringer—Thursday What effect does the poet produce by beginning the poem with the statement, “Some men there are who find in nature all / Their inspiration,”? She creates a reaction of disbelief from the reader by exaggerating nature’s impact on humanity. She creates unity by introducing a universal theme. She creates a sense of conflict between humans and nature. She creates suspense as the reader wonders what contrast will be drawn between these men and other people.

“Henrietta’s Dance” Day 4

Objective I can analyze an author’s style by determining the author’s choices and purpose.

From Yesterday… In _____________ (title) ________________ (author’s name) mainly uses a _________________ structure to _____________ (author’s main purpose: persuade, inform, or explain) readers that ________________________________.

How Do We Determine a Writer’s Style? Rebecca Skloot, like all writers, has a unique style. Style is the combination of the writer’s choices for diction, imagery, details, figurative language, and syntax. Skloot, like all writers, makes these style choices to achieve a certain purpose. Today we are going to look to focus on Skloot’s use of diction and imagery. This will help us with our Culminating Writing Task, which asks us to determine if Skloot’s style is effective.

Let’s Define Some Terms… What is DICTION? A writer’s choice of words What is IMAGERY? Language that appeals to the five senses. What are DETAILS? Bits of information that explain or describe What is FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE? Figurative language includes figures of speech, such as metaphors, simile, and allusions. What is SYNTAX? The arrangement of words and sentences What is TONE? The writer’s attitude toward the subject

Read the paragraph and model how to make a list of examples of the author’s vocabulary. Ask students, “Are these words formal or informal?” Ask students, “Are these words concrete or abstract?” Ask students, “What word best fits these words? Are they bitter, cold, somber, or whimsical?” Ask, “Why do you think the author chose these words?” On the board, write a sentence that summarizes the students’ comments. Say, “If I were going to summarize the diction for this section on our DIDLS handout, I would write something like this: Skloot uses an informal, concrete vocabulary that shows that she is writing for a wide audience. The words, such as ‘casket’, ‘unmarked grave’ and ‘don’t know much about HeLa’ show that Skloot wants the reader to feel that this is a somber and lonely scene.”

Partner Work! Looking at your assigned section, work with your partner to describe the author’s diction and explain the author’s purpose for using that diction under the first column in their DIDLS handout. SECTIONS 1. From the beginning until “knew nothing of the cells’” 2. From “As a train …” to “big enough for one culture: HeLa.” 3. From “Though it took… to “Some have yet to find answers” 4. From “There are at least two issues…” to the end of the text. The suggested four sections are 1. From the beginning until “knew nothing of the cells’” 2. From “As a train …” to “big enough for one culture: HeLa.” 3. From “Though it took… to “Some have yet to find answers” and 4. From “There are at least two issues…” to the end of the text.

Guiding Questions and Prompts Are most the words Skloot uses concrete or abstract? Are these words informal or formal? Are these words mostly positive or negative? Why do you think the author chose these words? Students should identify that Skloot uses an informal, concrete diction throughout that has a somber or sentimental characteristic. Students who read sections that describe the science may disagree, saying their diction was more formal and academic. Ask students to consider the entire piece. In general is most of the vocabulary informal or formal? Concrete or abstract? Students should respond that the vocabulary is informal and concrete. She is using words that set a scene.

Ask students, “Why do you think the author uses these images Ask students, “Why do you think the author uses these images?” “What do these images remind you of?” Say, “If I were going to summarize the imagery for this section on our DIDLS handout, I would write something like this: Skloot uses the imagery of the undertaker meeting the body at the train station and Henrietta being buried in an “unmarked grave” in a “tobacco field” where “cattle roam” to show readers that Henrietta was forgotten. Skloot wants readers to visualize Henrietta’s death as lonely and somber, giving the reader the impression that nobody cared about her. If students are having difficulty, ask them to close their eyes and visualize the scene created by this passage. Ask them to share what they see… Ask them, “In what kind of a movie would this scene appear?”

Partner Work Round 2 SECTIONS 1. From the beginning until “knew nothing of the cells’” 2. From “As a train …” to “big enough for one culture: HeLa.” 3. From “Though it took… to “Some have yet to find answers” 4. From “There are at least two issues…” to the end of the text. Read your new section and identify the images in the text. Then discuss with your partner why the author chose those images. After discussing, work with your partner to write a summary sentence for imagery in the first column of your DIDLS handout.

Exit Ticket Objective Opinionated Academic Narrative Nostalgic Cynical Diction and imagery are two of the elements that make up an author’s style. Choose one of the words from the list that fits Skloot’s style so far and explain your answer. Write your response on a sticky note and put it on the cityscape poster before leaving today! Questions for Consideration: Does Skloot insert strong opinions or is her story more factual? Who do you think is Skloot’s audience? How might this help to clarify Skloot’s style? Objective Opinionated Academic Narrative Nostalgic Cynical Humorous Objective is without any opinion or judgement. Opinionated is full of strong opinions and judgements. Academic means that it is suited for a school, usually high school or university. Narrative means story-like. Nostalgic means recalling the past fondly. Cynical is full of doubt. Humorous is funny or light-hearted.