1. Commenting on Quotations Paraphrase, Infer, Conclude

2. After your quotes…
Explanation– explain to the reader how it is relevant
3 sentences
paraphrase
Infer
conclude

3. “Summertime, when children were sent to the fields to help plant and weed, was peak season for rats and field mice. Shin remembers eating them every day. His happiest, most contented childhood moments were when his belly was full.”(21)

4. Lead in with WHO and WHEN
When describing his earliest struggles to find food, Shin recalls how eating rats and mice in the fields were “his happiest, most contented childhood moments”(21).

5. Comment Paraphrase: Retell in your own words
Shin’s best memories are of when he had something to eat.

6. Comment
Infer: Point out one specific word or action and state what it reveals about the situation/character
In this case, he was content with eating rats, which anyone outside of the camp would find disgusting.

7. Comment
Conclude: State how this proves your point and link back to thesis.
This shows how strict control – in this case, control of food supply – allows those in power to manipulate the emotions of others.

8. First of all, careful control of living circumstances allows those in power to manipulate actions. When describing his earliest struggles to find food, Shin recalls how eating rats and mice in the fields were “his happiest, most contented childhood moments”(21). Shin’s best memories are of when he could eat rats, which anyone outside of the camp would find disgusting. Being kept near starvation and living without caring guardians meant that his emotions were completely skewed, and he found happiness and contentment only in scavenged vermin. This strict control of daily life– in this case, control of food supply – meant food became the clearest motivator within the camp, and could be used as manipulation to turn prisoners against each other.

9. You try!
Shin did not want to leave the cell. He had never trusted – never loved – anyone before. In the years ahead, he would think of the old man in the dark room far more often and with far greater affection than he thought of his parents. But after guards led him out of the cell and locked its door, he never saw Uncle again. (65)

10. Explanation= 3 statements
Paraphrase
Infer
Conclude