Craft Moves and self-assessing Reading Unit 2

Interpretations, Points of View This week the focus has been on looking at texts through different lenses, we do this by digging deeper. Yesterday we looked at why authors use different points of view and how that affects our interpretations of text. Today we are going to look at other Craft Moves that authors use to influence how readers interpret what they read. Let’s look back at the Craft Moves handout to refresh our memories.

Model: Finding Craft Moves in “Those Shoes” 1st person narration (whole text) Inner thinking (many places but especially when he is doing his homework) Dialogue (many places but the dialogue with himself on the playground was important) Revealing Actions (when he gives his shoes away)

Why did they use those moves? What was their aim? 1st person narration To stir empathy and build the mood Inner thinking Stir empathy, build suspense, build a mood Dialogue Show motivations and set up the problem Revealing Actions Support the theme and show resolution The ultimate goal of writers is to communicate their central idea or theme! Now let’s take this information and write about it

What are some of the author’s craft moves that help the reader find the central idea or theme? There are several author’s craft moves in this text which helps lead us to the theme that “to give to others helps them, but also can make us happy”. The author used first person narration in the entire story to stir empathy for Jeremy’s poor childhood, which sets up the way giving is hard for him. The author also used inner thinking when we saw Jeremy thinking all his spelling words said “shoes”, this built a mood, and again was building us up for the theme. When Jeremy finally decided to give his shoes to Antonio, this revealing action brought a resolution to the story and revealed the theme, since both he and Antonio were happy he gave his shoes away.

What are some of the author’s craft moves that help the reader find the central idea or theme? There are several author’s craft moves in this text which helps lead us to the theme that “to give to others helps them, but also can make us happy”. The author used first person narration in the entire story to stir empathy for Jeremy’s poor childhood, which sets up the way giving is hard for him. The author also used inner thinking when we saw Jeremy thinking all his spelling words said “shoes”, this built a mood, and again was building us up for the theme. When Jeremy finally decided to give his shoes to Antonio, this revealing action brought a resolution to the story and revealed the theme, since both he and Antonio were happy he gave his shoes away.

Self-Assess I want to look at what I’ve written and make sure I’m on track. Did I state a clear idea or claim about a theme or central idea? Did I support my idea with relevant evidence for the text? Did I explain how the evidence supports the theme or central idea? Did I discuss how author’s craft is used and its effect on the text?

Your Turn with “Fish Cheeks” 1st person narration