Warriors Don t Cry In Class Essay (80 points) Assignment: Write a 4-paragraph persuasive essay, which clearly describes a theme in the novel, Warriors Don t Cry. Requirements: 1.Thesis that directly answers the prompt 2. 4 paragraphs (introduction, 2 body paragraphs, conclusion) 3.Written in correct MLA Format (1 margins, double spaced, typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman Font) 4.Grammar (correct punctuation, capitalization, spelling, no run-on sentences, use appositives, etc.) *you will lose points for not fulfilling any of these requirements or may need to resubmit your work Calendar: Outlining: Tuesday, January 22 nd. In class writing for: CD block Wednesday, January 24 th EF block Thursday, January 25th
F (0-10) D (11-13) C (14-15) B (16-18) A (19-20) NOVEL & HISTORY KNOWLEDGE /15 -Shows little to zero understanding of the novel -some novel or a basic the novel with factual errors -clear play s basic plot with a few errors OR complex novel with some factual errors - clear novel s plot OR complex thematic ideas with some errors in basic plot -clear novel s basic plot and complex thematic ideas INTRODUCTION & CONCLUSION /10 -Little to zero introduction & conclusion - Introduction s hook and background information do not give necessary context for thesis - Introduction s hook and background information give some of the necessary context for thesis - Introduction s hook and background information gives necessary context for thesis - Introduction s hook and background information gives necessary context for thesis & builds interest for the reader with an engaging hook and novel information. - conclusion gives little information about WHY/HOW the topic is important - conclusion gives some information about WHY/HOW the topic is important - conclusion gives necessary information about WHY/HOW the topic is important - conclusion connects about WHY/HOW the topic is important with broader social/historical issues THESIS & ARGUMENT /15 -No thesis -Thesis is vague and does not make an argument -Thesis does not make a strong argument -Thesis directly answers prompt & makes a reasonable argument. - Thesis directly answers the prompt and makes a strong argument OR is an argument that was NOT discussed in class. There is not an argument Argument is not persuasive. Argument is coherent and somewhat cohesive or persuasive. Argument is persuasive and cohesive. Argument is persuasive, cohesive, and concise. CONTEXT /15 -little to zero context -Context gives reader a vague idea of what is happening before the quote OR the context is incorrect. -Context gives the reader an idea of what is happening (who, when) before the quote, but leaves reader with questions. -Context gives the reader a clear picture of what is happening before quote. -Context explains to the reader exactly what is happening before the quote, giving them a clear picture of why.
EVIDENCE /5 -Zero evidence Evidence is vaguely related to thesis. -Evidence relates to claim -Evidence supports claim -Evidence closely supports claim COMMENTARY /15 Writing Conventions /5 -little to zero analysis Writer makes errors so that reader cannot understand content. -does not include a speaker tag and page number. -analysis partially explains the meaning of the quote Errors in writing make it hard for readers to understand the content. -includes a speaker tag OR page number. -analysis explains meaning of quote without using it to support the thesis OR supports thesis without explaining quote Writer follows writing conventions but makes errors that impede the reader s understanding. -includes a speaker tag and page number. -analysis explains the meaning of the quote and uses it to support the thesis. Writer follows writing conventions with a few errors that do not impede the reader s understanding. -includes an appropriate speaker tag and page number. -analysis explains the meaning of the quote and uses it to closely support the thesis. Writer follows writing conventions and may use complex grammatical and sentence structures. /80 Commendations: Things to consider: Grade:
Warriors Don t Cry Essay Brainstorm Directions: Copy down examples that our class brainstormed. Class themes 1. Put Reading Guides in order (from Ch. 1 through Ch. 18). **If there are any reading guides you didn t complete, please put a blank one in its place. 2. Decide on a theme statement that you ll write your essay on. **Tip 1 some of your reading guides include theme statements that you ve already written about. ** Tip 2 The paragraphs you wrote at the end of the book include themes, too. Hopefully, you listened when your classmates shared their writing. ** Tip 3 Choose from the list that you copied down above. Write that theme here, using as many of following words as you can: courage, dignity (selfrespect), ally, determination, injustice, retaliate, harass, institutionalized racism, segregation, integration A theme in Melba Pattillo Beals memoir Warriors Don t Cry is
3. Look through your Reading Guides (and book) for quotations that you think will back up your theme. Write all the ones you can find here. *Don t forget page numbers. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Now that you ve brainstormed themes and evidence, write your thesis statement in the box and the Concrete Details below it. A theme in Melba Pattillo s memoir Warriors Don t Cry, is Topic Sentence 2: Topic Sentence 1: Concrete Detail 2: Concrete Detail 1: *don t forget page number *don t forget page number
Directions: Use bullet points to ORGANIZE your ideas. Do NOT write everything out at this stage. I. Introduction: A. Hook: (question, startling statement, quotation about your theme) B. Background: (Title, author, characters, summary of book) C. Thesis: (argument) II. Evidence 1/Body Paragraph 1: A. Topic Sentence: (topic and argument; comes from the thesis) B. Context (What was happening? Where? Who was involved?): C. Concrete Detail (speaker tag & quote with proper citation): D. Commentary i. What does CD mean? ii. How does it prove your thesis? E. Conclusion (Restate topic sentence)
III. Evidence 2/Body Paragraph 3: A. Topic Sentence: (topic and argument; comes from the thesis) B. Context (What was happening? Where? Who was involved?): C. Concrete Detail (speaker tag & quote with proper citation): D. Commentary i. What does CD mean? ii. How does it prove your thesis? E. Conclusion i. Restate topic sentence: IV. Conclusion: (So what? Why does this topic matter?) I. Restate thesis. II. Explain the lesson and importance of your topic. Concluding statement: In conclusion, When/if, then In conclusion, people who because of often find themselves In conclusion, when people are confronted with, they find themselves doing, thereby creating.