for the in-class essay "Family Redefined"
Today:
1. Read Ricochet River to page 55. We will read approximately 10 pages per day, including Tue and Thursday nights and weekends.
Celilo Falls video
2. In groups of 3, discuss Link, Jesse, and salmon.
- Link: Why do you think Robin Cody decided to name him "Link"? Linked to what?
- Jesse: Why do you think Robin Cody decided to make Jesse ambidextrous? (both right and left handed)?
- Salmon: What is the importance of the salmon to the Native American people in this novel?Why might Link like salmon so much?
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ESSAY LIKE THIS:
INTRO
1. Write a hook. Usually that is a general statement about the topic or maybe a question about it.
You might summarize a story from the real world for your introduction. Or you could speak in generalities about all people and how the topic relates to humanity.
2. Write a sentence developing that idea, using a specific detail or two.
3. Write a another sentence developing that idea, using a specific detail or two.
4. Make a statement about the issue (or problem) that you are going to address. This is where you will mention the novel, The Bean Trees. You will state that the book deals with the issue you are talking about. Give a detail or two.
5. Develop that idea by stating specifics and also state that Where the Heart Is deals with this same issue.
6. Write a thesis (the point that you are going to make). Your thesis needs to be very specific and focused. Additionally, write a thesis that is interesting. Nobody wants to read something boring, and you definitely don't want to spend an hour and a half writing something boring. That's boring ;^)
7. Consider writing a thesis that refers to three ideas you will develop in your essay.
BODY PARAGRAPH
8. Topic Sentence. State the idea you will develop in this paragraph. This ideas supports your thesis. You will have at least three ideas that you will make in this paper, of course. Each of the points that you will make will deal with a different issue in the movie and the book (in both).
Remember, by the end of the essay the reader needs to be able to see that the novel and movie really do deal with the ideas you are developing. Details and elaboration are essential.
9. Write a sentence developing that idea, using a specific detail or two. In our essay, this will be an example from the novel The Bean Trees.
10.Then elaborate. Your elaboration will likely tie in with Where the Heart Is.
Elaboration is your thoughts and explanation.
Elaboration often answers questions that would start with "why," how," or "what."
"What are you talking about. I don't understand that."
11. Elaborate more."How do you know that? Explain it to me."
"Wait.Why is that true? I don't quite get that. Explain it more so I get it."
12 Elaborate more
13.State that this same idea applies to Where the Heart Is.
14. Explain by writing another sentence elaborating upon that idea. Use a specific detail or two.
This is where you will explain the example from the movie.
Remember, sentences of elaboration answer "why," how," or "what" questions.
15. Explain how this first idea of yours supports your thesis/main idea of the essay.
BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Repeat with a second idea.
16-23.
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Repeat.
24-31.
CONCLUSION
32. Sum up your ideas referring to three points you've developed in your essay.
33, You may want to touch upon each of the main points you made. 34, 35.
36. Write a final concluding statement restating your thesis.
37. Write a final sentence that opens the topic up to life in general.
Feminist novels and movies deal with the idea that in our fragmented society, the concept of family must be redefined. In the past, society defined family as 2.5 well-groomed children raised by a stay at home mother and a father who went off to work in a gray flannel suit. Single parent families were often called "broken families," and children raised in these families were looked down upon and referred to as "disadvantaged" children (or worse!) Today, many families do not conform to that mold. In the United States, less than half of all children under age 18 live in a traditional family with both parents, and that number will likely continue to fall.
Pew Research Study: Fewer Than 46% of Children Live in a Traditional Family
In the book The Bean Trees and the movie Home is Where the Heart Is, the concept of family is redefined. Your assignment is to explain what makes up a family according to these works. The essay you write must have:
An introduction to the idea of family.
A thesis (what "family" really is (according to the book and movie)
3 supporting paragraphs with examples from the book and movie
How does Turtle's "family" help her grow up to be a happy, well-adjusted person?
1. Protects you--Turtle was so abused that she might have been killed
Dr. Pelinowski says she had many broken bones when she was little. "Failure to thrive" (165).
Turtle clings to Taylor for protection and comfort.
2. Love and care for you--Taylor decides to take Turtle. Esperanza and Estevan are willing to risk their lives to help her become adopted; Mattie takes takes them in
3. Teach you lessons--you have to adapt to change, like people dying. If you have someone to love you, it makes it easier.
Other examples of family:
Mattie makes sacrifices to take care of refugees.
Where the Heart Is
1. Protects you--Novalee protects Lexi and her kids.
2. Love and care for you--Forney babysits her; Sister Husband takes them in; during the tornado Novalee is more concerned for Americus than for her own life.
3. Teach you lessons--
Other examples of family:
Novalee protects Lexi and her kids.
Forney makes sacrifices to take care of his sister.
Sister Husband risks her own life to help an AA member.
Write an introductory paragraph for your essay.
Hook
Write question that introduces us to the idea of family.
HOMEWORK:
Write an introduction to your essay on what makes up a family
Write at least six (6) sentences
have a thesis (your idea about what a family really is)
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