Writing on Theme English 9

Do Now Take a worksheet from the front table. In the open space on the back of the worksheet, write the theme of the story “Everyday Use.”

What is Theme? What is the theme of “Everyday Use?” What is Alice Walker trying to tell us/her readers? How do you know? What, in the story, tells us the theme/hints at her main point?

Writing We are going to spend the next day or two writing about the them of the story. Do you remember what a good paragraph needs? Let’s Review!

Parts of a Paragraph 3 Main Parts – First Sentence – the topic sentence. States your main point/idea Middle/Body Sentences Provides support for your topic sentence The Last Sentence Reminds your readers of the point you just made

Parts of a Paragraph What makes a good topic sentence?

Topic Sentence Go beyond the statement of simple fact State an opinion or theory – something that you will need your supporting details to prove Ex: Shakespeare wrote Hamlet Shakespeare’s Hamlet is the most well written tragedy. Ex: I have a cat named Roxy My cat, Roxy, is vicious. A good Topic Sentence has two parts A limited subject A precise opinion about that subject

Forming a Topic Sentence The first part of the topic sentence is your limited subject. Your subject must be specific! If you are going to write about Literature, pick a specific (or limited) part of literature. Short stories. Which short story? Unless you are writing a 60 page paper, you essay should focus on one or two specific works of literature. Use your Topic Sentence to introduce you specific subject

Forming a Topic Sentence The second part of the topic sentence expresses your opinion about the limited subject. If you do not state an opinion about your subject, your subject and topic will be too vague. Remember Roxy the cat? This part of your sentence is a word or phrase that makes a judgment about your limited subject. Say you are going to write about “Everyday Use.” What will be your judgment? Is it about heritage? Culture? Family? Whatever you choose as your judgment will be your precise opinion Saying it is a “good story” is not a precise opinion!

Unity Everything you say in a paragraph must support your main point! Each idea and supporting detail must support the one main point stated in the topic sentence Your writing should excluded any ideas that are irrelevant or do not support the main idea/point of the paragraph. Ex: Topic Sent: The author uses the words to other characters to characterize Alfred as a bad person Supp. Det.: Mr. Carr catches him stealing Supp. Det.: It is weird that Alfred stole lipstick Supp. Det.: Even Alfred’s mother calls him “a bad lot” Conclusion: The author uses other character’s words to show Alfred is a bad person.

Unity The idea of unity is pretty simple. Do not include any information that does not directly support your main point/idea. Do not be led astray by a word or idea that you think of when writing… (like the lipstick Alfred stole!) Re-read your paragraphs. Cross out anything that does not belong!

Be Clear! Explain your support – Remember – your reader is NOT inside your head and can’t read your mind. Be sure that you explain how your support relates to the main idea/topic sentence! EX: In the early morning, I am easily annoyed by my roommate. I have to shut the ice-covered windows. A white tornado of dandruff swirls around the room. A mass of smoke from cigarettes hovers near the door. No wonder I find my roommate annoying. What is wrong with this paragraph?

How about this… In the early morning, I am easily annoyed by my roommate. I have to shut the ice-covered windows that John, my roommate, insists on opening every night, even during the winter. A white tornado swirling around the room shows me that his dandruff problem is still in full force. A mass of smoke from John’s pack-a-day habit hovers near the door. No winder I find my roommate annoying. Much better, right?

Stick to your Topic! Reminders of the precise opinion in the topic sentence Remind your reader what it is you are saying about your subject (yes, they just read it in your topic sentence, but it helps to be reminded) Two techniques to help remind the reader: Repeat the exact words of the opinion Use other words that suggest the same opinion Let’s look at the sample paragraph…

In the early morning, I am easily annoyed by my roommate. I am annoyed each time I have to shut the ice-covered windows that John, my roommate, insists on opening every night, even during the winter. A disgusting white tornado swirling around the room shows me that his dandruff problem is still in full force. A chocking mass of stale smoke from John’s pack-a-day habit hovers near the door. No wonder I find my roommate annoying.

Keep it Smooth! Transitions A paragraph is more than just a list of reasons why you think/believe your main idea/opinion. Smooth transitions between supporting sentences help the paragraph to flow. Transitions make the paragraph feel less clumsy and chunky. They are like road signs that point the reader through the paragraph, helping the reader to understand how supporting details relate to each other and the topic sentence.

In the early morning, I am usually annoyed by my roommate. For example, I am annoyed each time I have to shut the ice-covered windows that John, my roommate, insists on opening every night, even during the winter. I am also disgusted by a white tornado swirling around the room, which shows me that his dandruff problem is still in full force. Most bothersome, though, is the choking mass of stale smoke from John’s pack-a-day habit that hovers near the door. No wonder I find my roommate annoying.

Drafting Your Paragraph Now it is your turn. The theme of a story is the author’s intended message. The theme of “Everyday Use” is often stated as: Heritage is not an artifact of the past, but part of a living ongoing creation. Write a one or two paragraph essay explaining how Alice Walker creates and conveys her theme. Using the graphic organizer worksheet, create a map of your ideas and support. Show me the completed graphic organizer before you begin drafting your paragraph!