7 th Grade Literature

 Connect to Your Life Label the next blank page in your LNb, “Names/Nombres.” Then answer the following questions in complete sentences. Think about a time when someone new joined your class. How did the newcomer try to fit in? If you were in a situation where you were the newcomer, how might you (or did you) try to fit in?

 When you encounter unfamiliar words in your reading, use context clues to determine its meaning.  Look at words, sentences, and paragraphs around the word to find clues to decipher the meaning. The scene at the fire was chaotic, with people running around and fire-engine sirens screaming.

 Use context clues to figure out the meanings of the underlined words. The first draft of her essay was convoluted, but the second draft was clear. Jason wanted an exotic name, such as Gottfried or Prometheus. Was that part of the initial plan or one of the later plans? Two stores will merge by combining their operations and merchandise.

 “Names/Nombres” is a personal essay, a short form of nonfiction that expresses the author’s thoughts and feelings about one subject. Personal essays often include anecdotes in which authors use story elements, such as character, setting, and plot.

 Main characteristics: Short work of NONFICTION, centered around one main issue. Written to inform, entertain, persuade, or give an opinion. Usually autobiographical and focuses on the writer’s personal experiences. Usually told from first person point-of-view.

 Three Reasons for Writing 1. To Inform (Expository) 2. To Persuade (Persuasive) 3. Entertain (Narrative or Poetry)

 Writing to Inform Often called expository writing. Expository writing shows or explains facts. Examples:  Biography of Barack Obama  News report about a shooting  Note to a friend  Essay about “ killer bees ” Remember: Expository = Expose

 Writing to Persuade Attempts to influence the reader. Usually makes an argument.  Examples: Political speeches Advertisements A cover letter for your resume An essay urging readers to recycle

 Writing to Entertain Narratives: stories. Have a beginning, middle, and end A story may have a lesson, but the author ’ s main purpose is to entertain.  Examples of Writing to Entertain Harry Potter books Poems about love Narrative essay about the big game Script for a TV show

 Review Informative or expository writing provides factual information about a topic. Persuasive writing expresses an opinion (may use facts to support). All narratives are written to entertain, but so is poetry.

 Practice You will be graded on participation and completion, not on accuracy. 1. On a separate sheet of paper, number one through ten. 2. I will describe a piece of writing. 3. You will write the author ’ s purpose: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

 The story of a teenage boy learning to understand and live with his father, who is an alcoholic Vietnam war veteran.

 A list of the 25 richest athletes in the world.

 An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever.

 An “ X-men ” comic book.

 The story about a young girl with low self-esteem learning to love herself.

 A National Geographic article about the eating and breeding habits of the endangered bald eagle.

 A website saying that a new shopping mall should not be built because it threatens an endangered bald eagle ’ s home. The website also lists other reasons why the mall should not be built.

 A poem about bald eagles.

 A magazine ad telling you to buy Nike Hyperdunk shoes because you ’ ll jump higher.

 A sign saying, “ Rest Stop Five Miles Ahead. ”

1. Entertain 2. Inform 3. Persuade 4. Entertain 5. Entertain 6. Inform 7. Persuade 8. Entertain 9. Persuade 10. Inform

 Setting is the place and time in which the action of a story occurs.  Most fiction writers spend a good deal of time describing the setting of their stories.  Writers of nonfiction may or may not establish a clear setting, or them may do so a little bit at a time.

 Turn to page 41. Read the paragraph at the top of the second column that begins, “I suffered most…”  We will read this paragraph aloud. Try to picture the scene being described as you listen.

 Complete the setting web with your partner. Think about the following: Where does this scene take place? What are Julia’s relatives doing? What effects might their behavior have on those sitting hear them?