1. © 2012 Wendy O’Sullivan dba High Yield Lessons
WRITING WORKSHOP
Exploring Promethean Traits
in Frankenstein
Common Core Standards
Extended Response
© 2012 Wendy O’Sullivan dba High Yield Lessons
These materials are protected by copyright law. For each purchased copy of this work, a limited license is granted allowing use to one teacher for use with that teacher’s class(es).

2. Frankenstein Analyzing Promethean Traits in Robert Walton
Before today, we have reviewed what makes a person a promethean, read the Letters in Frankenstein, and discussed Robert Walton and his exhibition of promethean traits; you should be prepared to write a literary analysis response on this topic. This workshop will guide you through the first steps necessary in writing a response, and then you will practice writing part of the extended response on your own.

3. Universal rules of literary analysis writing
As we begin writing, keep in mind these mandatory writing rules for literary analysis writing:
It must be written in PRESENT TENSE!
It must be written in THIRD PERSON!
DO NOT USE: I, ME, WE, YOU, YOUR, ETC.

4. The Writing Prompt

5. The Prompt
In a well-developed extended response (3 – 4 paragraphs), using specific textual evidence, explain and analyze why Robert Walton reveals his promethean ambitions to Victor Frankenstein.

6. WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

7. Writing the Introduction
Examine the prompt:
Why does Robert Walton reveal his promethean ambitions to Victor Frankenstein?
Note: This is an “extended response” assignment, which means you will only be writing 3 – 4 paragraphs; you are not writing a lengthy essay.
So, the introduction information should be brief and to the point. It should respond directly to the prompt and move quickly to your claim.

8. Writing the Introduction
Why does Robert Walton reveal his promethean ambitions to Victor Frankenstein?
On a scratch piece of paper, BRAINSTORM!
How can you introduce this topic? What is it asking you to talk about? What details could you begin with in your response?
The prompt asks you to talk about promethean ambitions, so perhaps you could jot down notes about promethean traits.
Follows the “thief of fire”: Prometheus
Impatient with limitations
Universe is withholding
Elitist
Lonely, difficult journey
Suffers punishment for their actions

9. Writing the Introduction
Why does Robert Walton reveal his promethean ambitions to Victor Frankenstein?
Now that you have some notes on promethean ambitions, BRAINSTORM how this topic applies to the prompt. Then, turn the brainstorm into an introduction of the topic.
Example Introduction (please record on your handout):
Just as Prometheus suffered isolation and punishment for his actions, any follower of the “thief of fire” is also destined for a life of solitary despair.

10. Writing the Introduction
Introduction Continued:
Now that you have introduced the topic, we need to begin to connect it to the prompt and the claim statement.
Just as Prometheus suffered isolation and punishment for his actions, any follower of the “thief of fire” is also destined for a life of solitary despair.
BRAINSTORM: How can we connect this information and relate it to Robert Walton?
Walton is on a “promethean quest”
He feels isolated and lonely
He is trapped physically (by the ice)
He is trapped mentally/spiritually (doesn’t have a friend)
Turn that brainstorm into a transition sentence from the introduction to the claim statement: (Record the following on your handout)
After pursuing his own promethean quest for years, Robert Walton struggles with the solitary confinement of his mind, body, and soul. His promethean ambitions have isolated him.

11. WRITING THE CLAIM STATEMENT

12. Writing the Claim
Now that you have introduced the topic, you need to write your claim statement. What will you prove is true?
Why does Robert Walton reveal his promethean ambitions to Victor Frankenstein?
BRAINSTORM answers to the prompt.
He wants a friend who will understand his quest.
Many men on the ship with him but he feels alone.
After he meets Frankenstein he begins to love him like a brother.
He thinks Frankenstein is an amazing man.
He thinks that Frankenstein will understand him.

13. Writing the Claim
Next, take the brainstorming and turn it into a claim statement.
If you had to completely and thoroughly answer the prompt in only one sentence, what would your “answer” be?
Remember: Your claim statement must respond to the prompt and be the anchor that controls the entire argument.
The following is a claim statement that I have created as an example for you. (Please Remember: Writing is unique to the writer. So, do not think of this as the “correct” or “right” answer to the prompt. There can be many ways to respond to this prompt. This is just one of those ways.)
Please record the claim statement on your paper.

14. Claim statement
Why does Robert Walton reveal his promethean ambitions:
Answer: He is lonely and desperately desires a friend who will understand and appreciate his ambitions.
Why does he choose Victor Frankenstein?
Answer: He is fascinated by Victor and believes that he is the one best suited to understand him and be his friend.
CLAIM STATEMENT: (Record on your handout)
He is lonely and desperately desires a friend who will understand and appreciate his journey, and he believes he has found that friend in Victor Frankenstein.

15. Extended response: paragraph 1
Just as Prometheus suffered isolation and punishment for his actions, any follower of the “thief of fire” is also destined for a life of solitary despair. After pursuing his own promethean quest for years, Robert Walton struggles with the solitary confinement of his mind, body, and soul. His promethean ambitions have isolated him. He is lonely and desperately desires a friend who will understand and appreciate his journey, and he believes he has found that friend in Victor Frankenstein.

16. Selecting & abridging supporting evidence

17. STEP ONE: FINDING EVIDENCE
Textual evidence must be used to support your claim, but you must be careful not to let the evidence make the argument for you.
The evidence helps you to prove that your claim is true, and it gives credibility to your argument.
You must carefully select evidence which will support your response to the prompt.
Review your text and notes to locate the best passages.
Highlight, mark, or record the best passages.
For this practice, we will use the passages already selected. Use your handout as a guide.

18. Step two: abridging evidence
After you have located and selected your supporting passages, you should abridge them.
Try to avoid using long passages as much as possible.
When you use lengthy passages, you are letting the author make the argument for you.
You want to use evidence to help support your writing and your ideas, not to let it “speak for itself.”
When you abridge the passages, you will narrow them down to the most necessary, relevant, and accurate parts to support your claim.
The final selected and abridged evidence should be the BEST evidence you can find to support your claim.

19. Passage #1
“But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection. I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me; whose eyes would reply to mine” (19).

20. Task #1
Using your handout, take a moment now to look at the chosen passage again carefully.
What portions stand out to you as the most important in supporting the claim?
Because you cannot include the entire quote in your evidence, select only the best parts of it.
Please highlight or underline the portions of the evidence that you believe can BEST be used to support the claim statement.

21. Passage #1
Samples of abridged evidence is given on the following slide. Note, your selections may be different from these. That does not mean yours are wrong; they are just different.
Note: The abridged evidence should go to the “heart” of supporting the claim. Do you believe it does? Why or why not?

22. Passage #1
“But I have one want which I have never yet been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection. I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathise with me; whose eyes would reply to mine” (19).

23. Passage #2
“My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery, without feeling the most poignant grief? He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated, and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence” (28 – 29).

24. Task #2
Using your handout, take a moment now to look at the chosen passage again carefully.
What portions stand out to you as the most important in supporting the claim?
Because you cannot include the entire quote in your evidence, select only the best parts of it.
Please highlight or underline the portions of the evidence that you believe can BEST be used to support the claim statement.

25. Passage #2
Samples of abridged evidence is given on the following slide. Note, your selections may be different from these. That does not mean yours are wrong; they are just different.
Note: The abridged evidence should go to the “heart” of supporting the claim. Do you believe it does? Why or why not?

26. Passage #2
“My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery, without feeling the most poignant grief? He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated, and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence” (28 – 29).

27. Passage #3
“I was easily led by the sympathy which he evinced, to use the language of my heart, to give utterance to the burning ardour of my soul; and to say, with all the fevour that warmed me, how gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise. One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race” (29).

28. Task #3
Using your handout, take a moment now to look at the chosen passage again carefully.
What portions stand out to you as the most important in supporting the claim?
Because you cannot include the entire quote in your evidence, select only the best parts of it.
Please highlight or underline the portions of the evidence that you believe can BEST be used to support the claim statement.

29. Passage #3
Samples of abridged evidence is given on the following slide. Note, your selections may be different from these. That does not mean yours are wrong; they are just different.
Note: The abridged evidence should go to the “heart” of supporting the claim. Do you believe it does? Why or why not?

30. Passage #3
“I was easily led by the sympathy which he evinced, to use the language of my heart, to give utterance to the burning ardour of my soul; and to say, with all the fevour that warmed me, how gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise. One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race” (29).

31. Passage #4
“Sometimes I have endeavored to discover what quality it is which he possesses, that elevates him so immeasurably above any other person I ever knew. I believe it to be an intuitive discernment; a quick but never-failing power of judgment; a penetration into the causes of things, unequalled for clearness and precision; add to this a facility of expression, and a voice whose varied intonations are soul-subduing music” (30).

32. Task #4
Using your handout, take a moment now to look at the chosen passage again carefully.
What portions stand out to you as the most important in supporting the claim?
Because you cannot include the entire quote in your evidence, select only the best parts of it.
Please highlight or underline the portions of the evidence that you believe can BEST be used to support the claim statement.

33. Passage #4
Samples of abridged evidence is given on the following slide. Note, your selections may be different from these. That does not mean yours are wrong; they are just different.
Note: The abridged evidence should go to the “heart” of supporting the claim. Do you believe it does? Why or why not?

34. Passage #4
“Sometimes I have endeavored to discover what quality it is which he possesses, that elevates him so immeasurably above any other person I ever knew. I believe it to be an intuitive discernment; a quick but never-failing power of judgment; a penetration into the causes of things, unequalled for clearness and precision; add to this a facility of expression, and a voice whose varied intonations are soul-subduing music” (30).

35. Writing the supporting paragraphs

36. Paragraph #2: Topic sentence
CLAIM: He is lonely and desperately desires a friend who will understand and appreciate his journey, and he believes he has found that friend in Victor Frankenstein.
Your topic sentence must respond to and support your claim statement. It also must control your paragraph.
Because this claim has two parts, I will break up each part into its own paragraph.
Topic Sentence (please record on your handout):
Although Robert Walton is completely committed to his ambitions, he has come to feel that the quest alone is not enough, and he longs for a friend and companion.

37. PARAGRAPH #2: Plot Context
What is Plot Context?
Plot context is used to locate the reader in the story to the evidence that you will use to support your topic sentence.
Plot Context is NOT BOOK SUMMARY.
Plot Context should be brief and relevant to the topic sentence and the argument you are making.
Plot Context should let your reader know what is happening in the story, and it should lead into the evidence you will be using.

38. PARAGRAPH #2: Plot Context
First, look back at the evidence you have abridged, and select the best evidence to support the topic sentence.
Then, you need to give brief background information to help “locate” the reader in the story.
For this example, I will begin with evidence from Passage #1.
As such, I need to “set up” the evidence with the plot context.

39. Paragraph #2: Plot Context
PLOT CONTEXT (FOR DIRECT QUOTE INTEGRATION): In a letter written to his sister, Walton states,
PLOT CONTEXT (FOR NATURAL QUOTE INTEGRATION): Walton confesses in a letter written to his sister that
Note: Both of these styles of plot context helps to “set up” the evidence. They simply let the reader know where we are in the story and what is happening. It gives a foundation for the evidence.

40. INTEGRATING EVIDENCE
By integrating your evidence, you make it a part of your writing.
You should never let a quote “stand alone.” The evidence must support your argument by becoming a part of it.
Integrating your evidence makes your argument stronger.

41. How do you integrate evidence?
There are two basic techniques to use when integrating your evidence. They are:
Direct Quote Integration
Natural Quote Integration

42. Direct Quote Integration
When integrating quotes, you have the option of using either direct or natural quote integration.
However you choose to integrate your quotes, you must make sure that you do it correctly.
Although there is nothing wrong with using direct quote integration, when you are writing a literary analysis, you should use this type of quote integration sparingly.

43. Direct Quote Integration
INCORRECT QUOTE INTEGRATION:
Please do not ever do the following:
Walton writes a letter to his sister. “I have no friend.”
The above is an example of a “dropped in” quote. It is not integrated in any way. Do not do this!
CORRECT DIRECT QUOTE INTEGRATION:
When you use direct quote integration, you will introduce who is speaking and then state what he or she said.
In a letter written to his sister, Walton states, “I have no friend” (Shelley 19).

44. Natural quote integration
Because literary analysis is written in the third person and in present tense, you may need to make changes to the evidence so that it fits these criteria and works grammatically with your writing.
You will use [brackets] to indicate any changes you make.
Textual Evidence Example:
“I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me; whose eyes would reply to mine.”
Natural Quote Integration Example:
Walden is a promethean who “desire[s] the company of a man who [can] sympathize with [him]” (19).

45. Natural Quote Integration
Natural quote integration is the best choice for a literary analysis because it truly “integrates” the evidence into your own writing.
It becomes a part of your argument.
When you do this correctly, if you did not have quotation marks surrounding the evidence, you should not be able to tell the difference between your own words and those from the text.
Please continue your paragraph by writing the integrated evidence on your paper.
Walton confesses in a letter written to his sister that his “one want” is to “have [a] friend” who will “sympathize” with him (19).

46. How & why? Analyzing evidence
Analysis is the most important part of your paragraph!
This is where you show your thinking.
This is where you analyze, discuss, and explain HOW and WHY the chosen evidence proves your topic sentence (or thesis statement) is true!
Analysis should be the bulk of your paragraph.

47. How do you write analysis?
Look at your topic sentence.
Look at your evidence.
Now, ask yourself “how” and “why” questions.
How does “x” relate to “y”?
Why does “a” prove “b”?
Continue asking and answering “how” and “why” questions to form the analysis.

48. Forming the Analysis
CLAIM: Although Robert Walton is completely committed to his ambitions, he has come to feel that the quest alone is not enough, and he longs for a friend and companion.
Why does Walton want a friend?
Walton wants a friend because he is a solitary man on a lonely journey.
How does wanting a friend relate to being a promethean?
Only someone like himself can truly understand what he is doing. He can not be friends with just “anybody.” He is an elitist, and he needs a friend who will appreciate his quest and praise him for it.

49. Writing the Analysis
Now that we have asked and answered “how” and “why” questions about the chosen evidence, we need to take those answers and turn them into a well written analysis.
DO NOT begin analysis with phrases like: “This quote shows . . .” or something similar. I know it is a quote, and I know it is showing something. Stating the obvious is just “filler” and is not needed!
Also, DO NOT simply repeat what the quote says.
Please continue your paragraph by recording the following analysis on your paper.

50. Paragraph #2: Analysis
As a Promethean, Walton believes that the only friend who can ever fully understand his heart is one who shares his passions and thirst for knowledge of the secrets of the universe. The journey he is on is a solitary one, and he is desperate to be understood by a friend who can see into his heart and share the journey, the joys, and the sorrows with him.

51. Continuing the Analysis
At a minimum, you must include at least one piece of textual evidence with supporting analysis in your body paragraph.
However, in order to provide an even more thorough response, try to use at least one or two more quotes to fully support your topic sentence.
Remember, for each additional piece of evidence that you use, you must include an analysis explaining how and why that evidence proves your argument is true.

52. Paragraph #2: evidence & analysis continued
First, make sure you transition from the analysis of the first evidence to the integration of the next evidence.
Each sentence must clearly lead to the next.
Transition/Context/Evidence: Please record on your handout.
As Walton continues his letter, he indicates that although he is surrounded by shipmates, he does not believe that he will ever find such a friend “among merchants and seamen” (20).

53. Forming the Analysis
As Walton continues his letter, he indicates although he is surrounded by shipmates, he does not believe that he will ever find such a friend “among merchants and seamen” (20).
Why does Walton not believe the merchants and seamen could be his friend?
He is an elitist.
He believes he is “above” the men.

54. Paragraph #2: Analysis Record the analysis on your handout:
The sailors on board his ship simply do not meet his intellectual or cultural standards. They are not fellow prometheans, and he does not believe any of them possess the appropriate mind or ambitions to understand his quest.

55. Completed paragraph #2
Although Robert Walton is completely committed to his ambitions, he has come to feel that the quest alone is not enough, and he longs for a friend and companion. Walton confesses in a letter written to his sister that his “one want” is to “have [a] friend” who will “sympathize” with him (19). As a Promethean, Walton believes that the only friend who can ever fully understand his heart is one who shares his passions and thirst for knowledge of the secrets of the universe. The journey he is on is a solitary one, and he is desperate to be understood by a friend who can see into his heart and share the journey, the joys, and the sorrows with him. As Walton continues his letter, he indicates that although he is surrounded by shipmates, he does not believe that he will ever find such a friend “among merchants and seamen” (20). The sailors on board his ship simply do not meet his intellectual or cultural standards. They are not fellow prometheans, and he does not believe any of them possess the appropriate mind or ambitions to understand his quest.

56. YOUR ASSIGNMENT Complete the extended writing response.
Write a second body paragraph.
Topic Sentence that supports the claim and controls the paragraph
Plot Context and Integrated Evidence
Analysis of how and why the evidence proves the argument is true
Write a conclusion paragraph.
Re-word / re-visit the claim statement
Provide a final “so what” or “why it all matters” thought or statement.
2-3 Sentences.