Text Connections and Writer's Style

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Homework:
Students will spend the next two days entering their book reviews onto the spreadsheet and printing a complete copy.  The book review is a huge summative grade which must be completed!

Objectives:  Students will better understand how to write the writer's style and connections parts of their book review. Students will have work time so that they can be sure to have their book reviews done by the end of the day Friday. Lessons: We will watch two YouTube videos.  (They are not the most exciting, but they do contain the information students need to know.  Students can also review these videos on their own time so they can better understand the ideas.) Author's Style, Tone, and Mood BORING, but has notes Text Connections Text Connections Text to Self Text to World Text to Text Example from the text connections video: Text to Text When I stopped reading today, Harry was in a real difficult situation.  He had just had a big argument with his friend Ron.  I think Harry will do his best to work things out with Ron because Harry displays loyalty to his friends.  I was in a similar situation once.  Although we were mad at on another, we figured out that an argument wasn't worth ruining a long friendship.  I think that Harry and Ron will realize that they will have a better chance of meeting their goals if they get over their disagreement. (94 words) This could be longer.   The connection needs to be explained better.  This is also only on one small section of the story.  I think it could cover a little more than just this.  How does it fit into the big picture? Another connections example: Text to Text Frankenstein's monster is similar to the villain Syndrome from the movie The Incredibles. As a child, Syndrome is neglected and made fun of by everyone. Even Mr. Incredible, the one person the villain looked up to, thinks he is freaky. As a result, Syndrome dedicates his life to killing all heroes, including Mr. Incredible. In Frankenstein, the monster is made fun of as soon as he comes alive, especially from his "father", Victor. As a result, the monster takes his negative feelings out on the one who he thought would care for him, his creator Dr. Frankenstein. Both characters take revenge and use violence because of being isolated and hated during their youth. Writer’s Style Notes: When writing about the writer's style, think about this order of explanation: Text, Technique, Impact First, find a sample text that demonstrates the writer's style. Use a direct quote from the text. Be sure to include the page number. Then identify the technique that the text demonstrates. Then explain the impact that writer's technique has on the reading of the text. (I need to develop a list of impacts.  For example, how does using a 1st person point of view impact the delivery of the story compared to using a 3rd person point of view?) State your Claim Support with EvidenceExplain why it matters for the reader  Example I noticed that Susan Cooper wrote the first half of this book from a first person’s point of view to let the reader see things as the main character, Little Hawk, goes through them.One example is when Little Hawk was hunting while on his manhood journey. The text says, “I scrambled down through the snow to look for my arrow.” (p. 42). Another example is when Little Hawk died. The text says, “I never heard the sound of the second shot that blasted a great hole in my chest and killed me.” (p. 128). A third example is when Little Hawk is a ghost and he is watching his tribe prepare for war. The text says, “I watched, and I listened, with dread.” (p. 300). Using the first person’s point of view, the reader is able to see things as the main character goes through them from his point of view. The reader gets to know Little’s Hawk’s thoughts and feelings about things. After Little Hawk dies, the author changes the narration to a third person limited point of view. Little Hawk is still narrating the story, but now the reader can also see John Wakeley’s thoughts and feelings. It is better than having a third person story teller that is not part of the story. Example I noticed that this book uses good imagery to paint vivid mental pictures for the reader. One example is when Little Hawk killed a deer. The text says, “Then I shifted the deer so that he was tilted downward on a snowbank and I cut his neck in the proper place to bring the blood out.” (p. 44). Another example is when Little Hawk is stuck out in a storm. The text says, “Overhead, the big trees began to creak and groan. The wind howled into my fire bringing icy snow with it.” (p. 50). A third example is when Little Hawk is dead. The text says, “The boy stood shocked into silence, staring aghast at my shattered chest and the bright blood, and at my face with the wide open eyes that could no longer see.” (p. 133). These uses of imagery are important because the reader gets to know exactly what is going on and gets to see with great detail what is going on. That way the reader fully understands what is going on.