lesson 7: respond to a writing prompt
In this unit, we've been studying figurative language devices like simile, metaphor, personification...speakers and writers use these in order to make their messages more interesting.
The text that we've been using to study figurative language in action is Dr. Martin Luther King's 'A Letter from Birmingham Jail.'
You probably (hopefully) have a paper version that you've printed from earlier lessons, but if you don't click here to go to that last lesson and review the letter again.
It's important to have the letter close by for the next several lessons, as we will be writing a 5 paragraph essay analyzing it for stylistic elements.
It will be inconvenient and annoying to have to click a million things just to look at the letter every time you want to, and you'll need to frequently!
So, take my advice and print it off! Trust me, I've been down this road a time or two.
Now, let's proceed into the lesson...
Click the interactive on slide 1 for your 'mission'!
The text that we've been using to study figurative language in action is Dr. Martin Luther King's 'A Letter from Birmingham Jail.'
You probably (hopefully) have a paper version that you've printed from earlier lessons, but if you don't click here to go to that last lesson and review the letter again.
It's important to have the letter close by for the next several lessons, as we will be writing a 5 paragraph essay analyzing it for stylistic elements.
It will be inconvenient and annoying to have to click a million things just to look at the letter every time you want to, and you'll need to frequently!
So, take my advice and print it off! Trust me, I've been down this road a time or two.
Now, let's proceed into the lesson...
Click the interactive on slide 1 for your 'mission'!
Writing prompt
Remember this?
Ok, so what does this say and what does it mean for you?
Great question!!
Use the interactive on slide 2 to help you figure out exactly what this means and what you are supposed to do.
HINT: You need to read and analyze 'A Letter from Birmingham Jail' and explain in 25 sentences why it's effective. (HINT: it uses figurative language devices [which ones,can you find them?]), it's structured well [explain how] and it is presented with impact [isn't it?])
Great question!!
Use the interactive on slide 2 to help you figure out exactly what this means and what you are supposed to do.
HINT: You need to read and analyze 'A Letter from Birmingham Jail' and explain in 25 sentences why it's effective. (HINT: it uses figurative language devices [which ones,can you find them?]), it's structured well [explain how] and it is presented with impact [isn't it?])
thesis statement
A who-whatz-it?
A thesis statement.
Ok, we should back up a little bit. You are, by the time all is said and done in this unit (unit, NOT THE LESSON--stop freaking out), going to have a five paragraph essay in the following format:
Introduction--5 sentences
Body 1--5 sentences
Body 2--5 sentences
Body 3--5 sentences
Conclusion--5 sentences
For a total of 25 sentences.
ONE of those sentences, and ARGUALBY THE MOST IMPORTANT of those sentences is your thesis statement.
The thesis is one sentence that tell your reader exactly what your essay is going to be about. It is located in the introduction paragraph, usually the last sentence.
A thesis statement is written in response to a given prompt.
Hey!! We HAVE one of those!! What is it again?
Oh yeah:
What stylistic elements does King use to influence his readers?
Wait, what's a stylistic element again?
Now that's the million dollar question! This unit hasn't explained that phrase, stylistic element, but good thing you are on the weebly so I can tell you the this curriculum assumes you understand that stylistic element means this: what aspects of an effective argument does Dr. King use that make his letter so effective?
So stylistic (root word: style) devices (meaning little tricks) means how does someone do something well?
Put a third way: How does Dr, King use figurative language, structure and presentation (that list of three things would be considered the stylistic elements) to make an impact on his audience?
I hope that makes more sense than it did when you first read the prompt!
In the next lesson, you'll be asked to write a paragraph incorporating a thesis statement that responds to this prompt.
In this lesson, we learn about thesis statements. Now that we understand the prompt better, let's go into the lesson to find out what exactly a thesis statement is!
A thesis statement.
Ok, we should back up a little bit. You are, by the time all is said and done in this unit (unit, NOT THE LESSON--stop freaking out), going to have a five paragraph essay in the following format:
Introduction--5 sentences
Body 1--5 sentences
Body 2--5 sentences
Body 3--5 sentences
Conclusion--5 sentences
For a total of 25 sentences.
ONE of those sentences, and ARGUALBY THE MOST IMPORTANT of those sentences is your thesis statement.
The thesis is one sentence that tell your reader exactly what your essay is going to be about. It is located in the introduction paragraph, usually the last sentence.
A thesis statement is written in response to a given prompt.
Hey!! We HAVE one of those!! What is it again?
Oh yeah:
What stylistic elements does King use to influence his readers?
Wait, what's a stylistic element again?
Now that's the million dollar question! This unit hasn't explained that phrase, stylistic element, but good thing you are on the weebly so I can tell you the this curriculum assumes you understand that stylistic element means this: what aspects of an effective argument does Dr. King use that make his letter so effective?
So stylistic (root word: style) devices (meaning little tricks) means how does someone do something well?
Put a third way: How does Dr, King use figurative language, structure and presentation (that list of three things would be considered the stylistic elements) to make an impact on his audience?
I hope that makes more sense than it did when you first read the prompt!
In the next lesson, you'll be asked to write a paragraph incorporating a thesis statement that responds to this prompt.
In this lesson, we learn about thesis statements. Now that we understand the prompt better, let's go into the lesson to find out what exactly a thesis statement is!
Re-Read 'A Letter From Birmingham Jail'
Hopefully you have that piece printed off, you'll need to refer to it very often while you are planning your essay.
If you do not have it printed off, at least have it saved as a Word or PDF on your computer where you can access it easily without having to click a million clicks in the lesson each time you need to re-read it or parts of it.
When you re-read it (you can skim it, that's fine) take a moment to circle, underline, make a list of some of the stylistic elements that are listed at the top of slide 2 of the lesson.
As you read the letter with a keen eye for the use of stylistic elements of a clear claim, figurative examples, and purposeful structure (just to name a few), your answer to the prompt may become more clear.
In fact, you may begin formulating a response to the prompt...you may begin to form your THESIS statement.
View this 5 minute video for an introduction to thesis statements.
If you do not have it printed off, at least have it saved as a Word or PDF on your computer where you can access it easily without having to click a million clicks in the lesson each time you need to re-read it or parts of it.
When you re-read it (you can skim it, that's fine) take a moment to circle, underline, make a list of some of the stylistic elements that are listed at the top of slide 2 of the lesson.
As you read the letter with a keen eye for the use of stylistic elements of a clear claim, figurative examples, and purposeful structure (just to name a few), your answer to the prompt may become more clear.
In fact, you may begin formulating a response to the prompt...you may begin to form your THESIS statement.
View this 5 minute video for an introduction to thesis statements.
Write your thesis statement
Slide 3 of the lesson gives you the format that a thesis statement requires,
I'd like to point out that a thesis statement is ONE SENTENCE.
Be sure to look at the example on slide 3 of the lesson.
You may also use this an example:
In his writing. "A Letter from Birmingham Jail, " Dr. Martin Luther King uses the three stylistic elements of claim, figurative language and purposeful structure to make a lasting impression on his audience.
Now it's your turn!!
Open a word doc. and write one sentence that responds to the given prompt.
Slides 4 and 5 offer you some ways to improve your thesis statement
I'd like to point out that a thesis statement is ONE SENTENCE.
Be sure to look at the example on slide 3 of the lesson.
You may also use this an example:
In his writing. "A Letter from Birmingham Jail, " Dr. Martin Luther King uses the three stylistic elements of claim, figurative language and purposeful structure to make a lasting impression on his audience.
Now it's your turn!!
Open a word doc. and write one sentence that responds to the given prompt.
Slides 4 and 5 offer you some ways to improve your thesis statement
Assessment: portfolio
On slide 6 of the lesson, you are given a link to the 'Thesis Statement' worksheet.
Please complete this worksheet and upload it into the dropbox for this lesson.
Good work!!
Keep you 'Letter from Birmingham Jail" handy and I'll see you in lesson 8!
Please complete this worksheet and upload it into the dropbox for this lesson.
Good work!!
Keep you 'Letter from Birmingham Jail" handy and I'll see you in lesson 8!