Outcome a benchmark 3 practice English 2

directions: Evaluate the tone created in the excerpt from Markus Zusak's chapter, the end of the world (part II)” on page 530- 531 and the included image. In a formal multi-paragraph response, identify the tone in each and CONTRAST how the tone towards death (the character) is developed in each piece. Additionally, analyze how this tone develops a theme about death and his character.

How do I begin???? Silently read the passage and circle examples of when Death is kind, compassionate, loving, gentle. Label the examples you circled above with the corresponding DIDLS device. Is it diction, imagery, details, language or sentence structure that helped you determine death’s character? 2. Analyze the image for detail. Look at what he is holding (scythe, sickle), his eyes, the veins in his hand, his hood, and the “death list”. What tone do you see from these details? 3. Complete the outline planning sheet for paragraph 1. (tone)

THESIS In Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, the author uses sad details to convey Death’s caring tone towards humans and his job. This contrasts against the creepy details in the image which conveys Death as a threatening creature who takes pleasure in stealing peoples’ lives.

Background for passage The tone towards Death as a character in the passage is caring. Death as a narrator tells the reader from the beginning how exhausting he finds his job. He doesn’t like seeing the survivors, and he sometimes grows attached to his victims, which makes his job difficult. When he finally must come for the people on Himmel Street, he is truly saddened.

T+C+S, “quotation,” (Citation). After picking up Barbara Steiner and a few of her children, he sees Rudy, picks up his soul wrapped in a blanket, and explains, “With him, I tried a little harder. I watched the contents of his soul for a moment and saw a black-painted boy calling the name of Jesse Owens as he ran through an imaginary tape. I saw him hip-deep in some icy water, chasing a book, and I saw a boy lying in bed, imagining how a kiss would taste from his glorious neighbor. He does something to me, that boy… he steps on my heart. He makes me cry,” (Zusak 531).

Analysis of Quotation #1 The fact that Death stops to remember the important moments of Rudy’s life, instead of simply carrying him away shows that he cares for Rudy. His reaction to having to take him away shows just how heartbroken he is. Death’s attitude towards his job is one of gentleness and care.

Transition to Image The caring tone of the passage is completely different from the threatening tone of the image.

T+C+S + example 2 + Analysis In the image, the viewer sees a dark, hooded figure, holding a weapon, and carrying a scroll titled “death list.” The combination of these details creates an evil image of Death, a character who takes pleasure in terrifying his victims and taking their lives. One specific detail that stands out to convey a threatening tone is that Death is holding a scythe. The weapon portrays dying as a violent and terrifying situation.

Concluding Statement for paragraph 1 Death, in this image, has a very threatening attitude, unlike the caring Death in the passage who gently carries the souls of the victims away.

Editing time! First, self- edit Then, peer edit Use the outline as a checklist. Do you include all the necessary components? Does your thesis statement include both contrasting tones? Did you lead-in to both your quotation from the passage and your summary of the detail(s) in the image? Does your partner include everything they need? Read the analysis of each quotation/example. Does your partner… Explain the effect of the detail Connect to the tone

Paragraph 2 How do the contrasting tones help develop the theme of the topic?

What message is conveyed between these two works? Let’s brainstorm!

Transition sentence from paragraph 1 to paragraph 2 Furthermore, these contrasting tones between the passage and the image help the reader understand that most people are afraid of the unknown.

Theme explanation The details of the image make death seem like a threatening creature, an interpretation that most people believe in, or have at least seen before. It makes sense because humans have a natural instinct to want to live, so the opposite would seem terrifying.

Introducing support In the passage from The Book Thief, the reader understands that this character of Death is actually a caring and gentle one. In the moment they died, Rudy and his family are all asleep and because of this, had nothing to fear. Had they been awake when the bombing started, they certainly would have felt threatened, knowing that Death could be waiting around the corner.

T+C+S, “quotation,” (citation). For example, Death explains that the shops and homes on Himmel street were torn apart by bombs. Shortly after he goes to the Steiners’ home and explains, “I ran my fingers through Barbara’s lovely combed hair, I took the serious look from Kurt’s serious sleeping face, and one by one, I kissed the smaller ones good night,” (Zusak 531).

ANALYSIS & Concluding statement This detailed description conveys his caring tone through his gentle actions. He explains that they were asleep, and that there was no fear in their face. He softly carries them away. Had they been awake, they certainly would have felt fear as the bombs were dropping, thinking that Death is near, and not knowing what would happen. The caring tone in the passage contrasting with the threatening one of the image proves that people are afraid of the unknown.

Editing time! First, self- edit Then, peer edit Use the outline as a checklist. Do you include all the necessary components? Does your thesis statement include both contrasting tones? Did you lead-in to both your quotation from the passage and your summary of the detail(s) in the image? Does your partner include everything they need? Read the analysis of each quotation/example. Does your partner… Explain the effect of the detail Connect to the tone

Questions? Concerns? What more clarification or help do you need when it comes to writing about tone and theme?