1. Literary Analysis - Session #4
Writer’s Workshop
Literary Analysis - Session #4

2. Goal: I can quote parts of the text and explain how it supports my claim. Goal: I can write a rough draft of the body of my essay.
When we analyze a character, we need to find evidence from all parts of the text to support our claim. We also need to make sure we explain how the evidence supports our claim. Together, the evidence and the explanation are important parts of a body paragraph.

3. This was your homework. You should already have gathered your evidence
This was your homework. You should already have gathered your evidence. Now you are ready to draft your body paragraphs.

4. Mini Lesson - Let’s Review a Body Paragraph
Key Features of a Body Paragraph
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences w/ textual evidence
Explain (Elaborate how the evidence supports claim)
Transitions
Conclude (concluding sentence or transition sentence)
It is apparent …
This is just one …
Consequently,
This demonstrates that …

5. Active Engagement: Find the Parts
First, Via proves to be a protective older sister to Auggie because she wants to help him be mentally prepared for his first day of school ever and wants to know how it went. For example, on page 36 the text states “ ‘Everyone’s just as nervous as you are,’ said Via in my ear. ‘Just remember that this is everyone’s first day of school. Okay?’ ”. Because Via has been through middle school before, she knows what to expect. She is just trying to protect her younger brother from being nervous by telling him everyone is nervous. She is also is shown to be protective when she inquires about his first day. On page 96 she asks “ ‘So how was school?’ ” and “ ‘No one was mean?’ ”. This shows she is protective because she wants to know if the day went well and if anyone was not nice to him. There are older siblings who would not ask or care, but Via is not one of them. She wants to know because she cares and wants to help. Via is quite protective of Auggie, but that does not mean she does not resent her brother from time to time.

6. Mini Lesson – Ways to Cite Evidence
Make sure that you use EXACT phrases or sentences from the text.
Give the page number as a reference.
Only use the part of the quote that supports your point.
Here are a few examples of how this would be punctuated correctly.
For example, on page 75, “Mrs. Baker didn’t put anything up. Nothing at all.”
“Mrs. Baker didn’t put anything up. Nothing at all” (75).
Use single quotation marks for dialogue within a piece of text you are quoting.
“ ‘I can't move.’ Maria whispered, ‘I am too scared.’ ”

7. Active Writing Time – Rough Draft the Body of Your Essay
Using your essay organizer, write a rough draft of your first body paragraph
Remember that EACH body paragraph should include:
Topic sentence that connects to your claim
Evidence from the text (direct quote and page number)
Analysis (explanation of how the evidence supports claim)
Transitions
Concluding sentence
**Remember every sentence in a literary essay has a specific job and purpose!

8. Mid-Workshop Moment – Transitions
Possible Transitions to Use
Transitions To Introduce Evidence or Explanation
For example
For instance
One reason
According to the text
This evidence suggests ______
This shows ____ because ______
This is significant because _______
Words or Phrases To Indicate More Information
Besides
Furthermore
In addition

9. Share
Read your partner’s body paragraph.  Note the things your partner did well and offer areas in which they can improve.
Did you partner write a topic sentence that connects back to their claim?
Did they include two pieces of evidence from the text to support their claim?
Did they explain how their pieces of evidence support their claim?
Can you find any transitions they used?
Did they write a concluding sentence to wrap up the paragraph?

10. Writer’s Workshop Homework
•Finish drafting the body of your essay.
When you return to class, you should have a rough draft of THREE of your four paragraphs (intro and two body paragraphs).