Thursday

Ricochet River Essay--2-3 pages handwritten (yes, that's a front and a back and maybe another front)
Due at the end of the period. This is a rough draft, but you will receive 20 points for it. You will receive another 20 points for the final draft, which is due Monday.

Prompt: Pretend that you are on the novels selection committe and are helping compile a reading list for next year's sophomore English classes. Give your recommendation for the novel Ricochet River. Should it be taught to sophomores? 

This is an argumentative essay and you must support your arguments with specific examples. You are required to quote at least four specific parts of the novel and discuss those quotes to strengthen the points you are making. You should also consider counter-examples as you weigh out the novel's 

merits (the pro's and con's). 

Here's a basic example dealing with one of the positive aspects of the novel:

Link is a character who appeals to the average teenager because he talks like a real person, using casual language. For example, when Link is talking with Wade about the landlocked salmon in the millpond he says, "Them lazy, good-for-nothing fish is lost relatives of your Old Man Chinook" (133). Not only does Link use the casual phrase "good-for-nothing," but he also uses incorrect grammar, saying "is" instead of "are." Because many students have grandfathers of their own who talk this way, the book is appealing to the average teenager and should be taught next year at South High.

As you prepare to write, you should consider the following, although you do not have to include these points:

• Are the issues in the novel pertinent to the lives of teenagers? How? 
• Is the novel engaging/interesting?
• Does the novel present good ideas concerning the issues in the story?
• Is the novel well written?
• Is the reading level appropriate for sophomores?
• Is the subject matter appropriate?
• How does it compare to other novels that are taught or could be taught?

*Remember, when selecting novels to teach to students, it is important to pick quality literature that leaves the reader a more enlightened person by the end of the book. Be careful about simply arguing that the book is fun or not fun.

If you need help finding certain parts of the book for your quotes, it might help to go to this link with chapter summaries: Ricochet River
1. Add intro. Pull the reader in. Nice hook, maybe talk about being on the novels selection committee and how important good literature is.
2. You MUST have specific examples (actual quotes).
3. You MUST discuss the quote and EXPLAIN how it makes the novel good or bad.
4. Do your best to use fluid and smart language.