Story Comparison Day #2 December 2 nd, 2014

Warm Up: Boredom Date: December 2 nd, 2014 Prompt: Think of the last time you were really bored. How did you overcome this? What do you think your solution may say about you? Take it a step further: How did your solution relate to “The Storyteller”?

For certain classes only…  Hot Potato  When you receive the “potato,” you will need to share one adjective to describe either story. You MAY NOT reuse a previously-used word.

Agenda  Learning Target: Today I will continue my exploration of expository writing by comparing and contrasting two texts.  Packet Turn-In  Expository Writing Tips  Double Bubble Map  Create Rough Draft (if time allows)

Vocabulary Packet Submission  If you have yet to turn in your completed vocabulary packet, please pull it out and have it on your desk now.  I will come around and put a check for completion.  Maximum grade: 100%

Expository Writing Tips  How can you give your writing the best chance for success?  Some tips:  Get to know the writing prompt.  Dissect and analyze it to know what you’re being asked to do.  Organize your thoughts in advance.  Use an outline or Thinking Map  I strongly recommend an outline after using a Thinking Map  Remember to make it interesting.  Include stories along with facts and examples to drive your ideas home (make them stronger).  Just write.  Don’t get obsessed with perfection. Writing is a process. This means that you make it better over time.

Organize Your Thoughts In Advance  I typically like to start off with my topic and dissect it.  By taking it apart, I get to clearly see what I am being asked to do.  Example:  School lunch reform has been a point of discussion recently. What changes do you think need to occur to make school lunches more profitable? Do you think that school lunches can be profitable and nutritious? Why or why not?  Currently there are male-only sports teams and female-only sports teams, but ladies such as Monae Davis (female little league pitcher) are breaking those barriers. Write a letter to one of your school’s coaches persuading him or her to support or ban co-ed sports teams.  In 1865, the American Civil War came to an end. What were the key events that led to its end? Explain the causes and effects of the end of the Civil War.

Organize Your Thoughts In Advance  Now, let’s look at your actual prompt. What are you being asked to do?  Read "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes and "The Story-Teller" by Saki. In your review, compare how the authors reveal theme in each story. Detail what is similar and what is different about the way each accomplishes conveying his message.  What are the verbs?  Read, compare, reveal, detail, accomplishes conveying  What are the verbs modifying/telling us to do?  Read what? “Thank You Ma’am” and “The Storyteller”  Compare what? How the authors reveal theme in each story.  Detail what? What is similar and different about the way each author conveys (shows/illustrates) his message.

Organize Your Thoughts in Advance  Next, create an outline and/or Thinking Map (I like to do both).

Remember to Make It Interesting  Think of stories, examples, facts, or statistics to support any of your outer bubbles.

Organize Your Thoughts in Advance  Go Green Overview:  Blue: Main idea  Example: School lunches provide food for those who may not have a lot of money.  Pink: Supporting Detail  Example: For example, lower-income students are eligible for free or reduced lunch in public schools.  Green: Specific Fact or Example  Example: At Title I schools such as ECMS, many students have qualified for this program. For some of those students, their school lunch may be the only nutritious meal they get all day long.

Organize Your Thoughts in Advance  Another Go Green Example:  Blue: Main idea  Example: Girls and boys should be given equal opportunities to play sports.  Pink: Supporting Detail  Example: Genetically, females have certain strengths that males do not and vice versa.  Green: Specific Fact or Example  Example: A study published in the American Journal for Pediatric Medicine stated that females are predisposed to be 60% stronger than males of the same height and weight in lower-body based activities such as leg presses and running. (not a real study)

Organize Your Thoughts in Advance Thesis: Introduction: Body #1: _______________________ Body #2: _______________________ Body #3: _______________________ Conclusion:

Sample Outline  Thesis:  Body #1:  Supporting Detail 1:  Fact or Example:  Supporting Detail 2:  Supporting Detail 3:  Body #2:  Supporting Detail 1:  Supporting Detail 2:  Supporting Detail 3:  Body #3:  Supporting Detail 1:  Supporting Detail 2:  Supporting Detail 3:

Just Write  Once again…  don’t get obsessed with perfection. Writing is a process. This means that you make it better over time.  Take your time to create a strong foundation and all you will need to do is fill in the small details, transition words, and more detailed explanations.

Your Turn (Begin Your Rough Draft)  Below is your topic. Remember to 1) dissect it, 2) organize your thoughts, 3) make it interesting, and 3) just write your draft.  Read "Thank You Ma'am" by Langston Hughes and "The Story-Teller" by Saki. In your review, compare how the authors reveal theme in each story. Detail what is similar and what is different about the way each accomplishes conveying his message.

Homework  Read for 30 minutes.  Continue working on your essay Rough Draft.  Genius Hour projects will be due on December 12 th.

Closing  Hot Potato  When you receive the “potato,” you will need to share one adjective to describe either story. You MAY NOT reuse a previously-used word.