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Writing about Reading  Read a short story.  Think while reading:  What is the “big idea” in this story?  What does the writer want to say about the “big idea”?  Write a multi-paragraph essay that explains the theme and how the writer reveals the theme to the reader.

Theme  Theme = Big Idea + Author’s Attitude Toward the Big Idea.

Examples  Big ideas = love, friendship, bullying, family, hard work, growing up, etc.  Themes =  Love is worth sacrificing some personal ambitions  Friendship helps humans endure  Those who bully should be punished  There are many ways to build a family  Hard work pays off in the end  Honesty is an important trait when growing up

Brainstorm Together  BIG IDEAS in Monster:  THEMES in Monster:

“Thank You, M’am”  Plot summary: A young man learns an important lesson when he tries to steal the purse of a woman and instead of being angry with him, she takes him home and feeds him. Plot ≠ Theme Before you read

Remember: This is Plot:  Exposition  Characters  Setting  Rising Action  Climax  Falling Action  Resolution This is Theme:  Big Ideas and the author’s point of view on those ideas.  How the events in this story reflect the lives of all humans.

“Thank You, M’am”  BIG IDEA = Compassion can change a person’s life.  Put a star next to the lines that show the BIG IDEA in this story. While You Read

“Thank You, M’am”  In the short story, “Thank You, M’am,” Langston Hughes communicates the theme though the dialogue between and actions of the characters. Write an essay analyzing how the theme is communicated through the characters. Use evidence from the passage to support your reasons. After you read

Text-Dependent Analysis  INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT:  In the short story, “Thank You, M’am,” Langston Hughes communicates the theme through the dialogue between and actions of the characters.

Text-Dependent Analysis  TASK (WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO):  Write an essay analyzing how the theme is communicated through the characters.

Text-Dependent Analysis  REMINDER TO USE TEXT EVIDENCE:  Use evidence from the passage to support your reasons.

Step 1: Organize & Plan Example of dialogue: Page #:Page # Example of actions: Page #:Page #

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Text-Dependent Analysis  Para 1 = Introduction & thesis  Para 2 = How the theme is revealed through the dialogue.  Para 3 = How the theme is revealed through the characters’ actions.  Para 4 = Conclusion

Introduction  In the short story, “Thank You, M’am,” Langston Hughes expresses the theme through the characters’ dialogue and actions. One of the themes of this story is compassion can change a person’s life. The interactions between the teenager, Roger, and Mrs. Mrs. Jones reveal this theme to the reader.

Two Body Paragraphs  Finish the topic sentence I provided.  Add two pieces of text evidence that show how the theme is revealed in the story.  Add citations after both examples (xx).  Explain how the two examples connect to and prove your topic sentence.

SEES Body Paragraphs  S tate your point in a topic sentence.  E xplain/expand on your point.  E vidence from the text to support your point.  S o what? Explain how the evidence proves your point.