Theme: Racial Tensions
Characters: Henry and Keiko
Goals of this essay:
1) Identify a controversial theme, issue, or character from the novel.
2) Using engaging language;
3) Audience: enhance the understanding of your audience by focusing on minute details from the text;
4) Teach how to write a persuasive introductory paragraph by focusing on the larger context;
5) Review the following techniques: process, definition, classification and division, or comparison and contrast, and persuasion. These techniques will help each student break ideas into several parts through classification and division, and then analysis;
6) Teach paragraph unity and development;
7) Review how to summarize reading; and
8) Review how to use quotes in-context.
Evaluation Criteria:
An introductory paragraph that not only engages the reader but also explains why this theme/issue, or character fits into a larger context or answers the question why should we care about this? Be sure to use engaging language.
Clearly identifies a controversial theme or issue or character from the novel.
Identifies pro/con of the theme/issue or character.
Argumentative thesis which includes three supporting points. Before you submit your essay, underline the thesis statement.
Body paragraphs that support the thesis of the essay. Each paragraph should begin with an effective topic sentence. Each body paragraph must be fully developed (10 – 12 sentences) and contain evidence from the reading as well as clearly explained/reasoned analysis.
Reference specific details from the text.
Use no more than two block quotes. Be sure to correctly cite each quote.
Include three extended examples.
One opposition paragraph.
One refutation (counter-argument) paragraph.
Conclusion
A passing essay will not have more three sentence-level errors.
Length: 5 – 7 pages
Works Cited page
