1. supportsymbolismsymbolclaim The Most Common Problems

2. symbol claim Topic Sentence Problems Writing Prompt What is one symbol that Ursula Le Guin uses to develop a theme in “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”? You did not count, as you must always do when you see a writing prompt. This particular writing prompt asks for 4 separate elements: (1) author, (2) text, (3) symbol, (4) theme. You did not identify a literal object as a symbol. Remember – the word literal means “real” and it refers to something that can be touched or sensed. All Topic Sentence problems come from a failure to understand the Writing Prompt.

3. In “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” Ursula Le Guin uses the symbol of the “the ones who walk away” to develop the theme fortunate people can’t stand to know about the pain in the world. Example Topic Sentence Writing Prompt What is one symbol that Ursula Le Guin uses to develop a theme in “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”? Author Text Symbol Theme

4. E E E Problems You haven’t explained what your chosen symbol represents. It must be clear that you understand what symbolism means and what your symbol (the literal “thing”) represents in the story. You have not explained how your symbol relates to your theme or tone. Your original claim is not supported until you explain how your evidence supports to your theme or tone. All E E E problems come from a failure to explain or understand symbolism. support symbolism

5. In “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” author Ursula Le Guin uses the symbol of the “ones who stay” to symbolize sacrifice, which helps develop the theme “people often go to great lengths to make others feel miserable in pursuit of their own happiness.” A first example of this is stated when Le Guin speaks of the citizens learning to accept their own privilege of living a good life even with their tears and anger: “Their tears at the bitter injustice dry when they begin to perceive the terrible justice of reality and to accept it.” Here, the reader can infer that the city’s citizens symbolically must accept the cold sacrifice that they must make to be truly happy. support Has the author explained how the evidence supports the theme? symbolism Has the author proven that s/he knows what symbolism is? Has the author explained what the literal symbol represents in the story?