- Students should be working on their book reviews!
- I moved the date up only because students will have computers Thursday and Friday, and there is no reason why they can't get all their work typed in before the weekend.
- I will discuss the requirements for the poster next week.
I tried to come up with a formula for the students to use when they talk about the writer's style. The hardest part is explaining why the writer chose to do something. What is the effect of good word choice? Why use a 1st person point of view as compared to a 3rd person limited? How does the writer's use of figurative language add to the experience of the piece?
I would like students to give this a shot on the book review. We will be talking about writer's choices all year, and this is not the only book review students will be doing.
Requirements for Writer’s Style
Cite evidence and explain your claims about Gary Soto’s writing style. Choose 2 or 3 to explain.
- Pick TWO writer’s style topics to discuss.
- 150- 200 words each (use Word to count)
- Claim- 1 sentence
- Cite- 3 examples with page number
- Explain- 2 sentences of why it matters
Cite evidence and explain your claims about Gary Soto’s writing style. Choose 2 or 3 to explain.
1. Imagery Gary Soto use imagery in his story to…. (Claim)
Find examples in the text and use line numbers. (Cite)Some suggested talking points: The five senses Creates an image in your mind’s eyeExplain how the writer’s choice of imagery matters. (Explain)
2. Figurative Language Gary Soto uses figurative language in his story to…. (Claim) Find examples in the text and use line numbers. (Cite) Some suggested talking points: Simile –comparison using like or as Metaphor- comparison where one thing is another Explain how the writer’s choice of figurative language matters. (Explain)
3. Choice of narrator Gary Soto uses (Narrator choice) because he … (Claim) Find examples in the text and use line numbers. (Cite) Some suggested talking points: 1st Person Point of View 3rd Person Objective 3rd Person Omniscient 3rd Person Limited Omniscient Explain how the writer’s choice to lead the reader through the story
matters. (Explain)
4. Sentence Structure Gary Soto’s sentence structure is… Some suggested talking points: Smooth and Expressive Sentence Fluency (Claim) Variety in Sentence Beginnings (Claim) Variety in Sentence Length and Structure (Claim) Easy to Read Expressively; Sounds Great When Read Aloud (Claim) Rhythm, Rhyme, Alliteration, and Other “Sound” Effects (Claim) Sentences are Structured so They’re Easy to Understand (Claim) A Short Note on Sentence Structure (Claim) Find examples in the text and use line numbers. (Cite) Explain how the writer’s choice of sentence structure matters. (Explain)
5. Word Choice Gary Soto’s word choice matters because he is trying to … Some suggested talking points: Specific and Memorable Word Choice (Claim) Strong Verbs That Tell How Actions are Performed (Claim) Adjectives and Adverbs That Make Things More Specific (Claim) Words and Phrases Readers Remember Long After They’ve
Finished Reading (Claim) Words and Phrases Used Accurately and Effectively (Claim) Language That is Appropriate to Purpose and Audience (Claim) 5 Cent words compared to 50 cent words (Claim)
Finished Reading (Claim) Words and Phrases Used Accurately and Effectively (Claim) Language That is Appropriate to Purpose and Audience (Claim) 5 Cent words compared to 50 cent words (Claim)
Find examples in the text and use line numbers. (Cite)Explain how the writer’s choice of word choice matters. (Explain)
ExampleI noticed that the way this book was structured was in a very conversational way. It had very good imagery. One example is when he goes to the place where Londell works and the text says how the houses were all boarded up and smelled of rotting carpets, and how he felt he was in a ghost town. It also shows how his grandmothers Band-Aid on her leg was very brown from pus, and when Harold sees Londel it shows how big and muscular he was. This imagery helps place me in the story. It also allows me to understand the ambience and setting of the story.
This example is not the best, but it works for now. It is only 107 words and the wording is a little rough.
The claim is unfocused. Is it conversational or imagery?
There needs to be more evidence for the claim in the middle.
There should be specific quotes and page numbers from the book.
This is a start.
This example is not the best, but it works for now. It is only 107 words and the wording is a little rough.
The claim is unfocused. Is it conversational or imagery?
There needs to be more evidence for the claim in the middle.
There should be specific quotes and page numbers from the book.
This is a start.
Assessment:
