Islam in America Magazine Article Introducing the Selection Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources Writing Skills Focus: Preparing for Timed Writing Feature Menu

Islam in America Magazine Article How do people from different cultures learn to live together?

Islam in America Introducing the Selection She’s just another typical American teenage girl...

Islam in America Introducing the Selection She likes to go to the movies. She likes to hang out with her friends. She wants to get into a good college. And she’s also an observant Muslim.

Islam in America Introducing the Selection [End of Section] How can she remain true to her faith and her identity as a Muslim in a country like America? Should she avoid the larger culture? Or find a way to be a part of it?

Researchers consult a variety of materials when trying to learn about a topic. Research materials can generally be classified as one of two main categories: Islam in America Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources primary sources secondary sources

A primary source is a firsthand account—original material that has not been interpreted or edited. Islam in America Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources lettersspeeches oral histories interviews Primary sources

A secondary source contains information that has been retold, summarized, or interpreted by a writer. Islam in America Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources encyclopedia articlesbiographiestextbooks Secondary sources

Islam in America Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources newspaper articlesmagazine articles Some resources may be primary or secondary, depending on the specific content: Eyewitness reports, editorials, and opinion pieces in newspapers and magazines are primary sources. Otherwise, the articles are secondary sources.

When doing research, carefully evaluate the writer’s purpose—or reason for writing. provide information? express personal feelings? describe something? persuade me to do or believe something? Ask yourself: Does this writer want to Islam in America Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources

Into Action: Use a chart to note details from “Islam in America.” Then, use your notes to determine the author’s purpose. Islam in America Informational Text Focus: Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources Detail Type Facts [End of Section] Direct statements by author Quotations/Examples Author’s Purpose: “Islam in America” 1.5 to 1.9 million Muslims in America

Preparing for Timed Writing Islam in America Writing Skills Focus: Preparing for Timed Writing As you read the article, write down the information that a non-Muslim might want to know about Islam. This might include facts about Islam or different ways that Muslims practice their faith. [End of Section]

Vocabulary

Islam in America Vocabulary affiliations n.: connections; relationships. misperceptions n.: incorrect ideas or understandings. integration n.: process of combining or including. prohibits v.: forbids; prevents.

Islam in America Vocabulary It would be inappropriate for the interviewer to ask about the applicant’s political and religious affiliations. The sentence below may help you understand how the word affiliations is used in “Islam in America.” Why might such questions be inappropriate in a job interview?

When she was a student, she joined several extremist groups. Islam in America Vocabulary Now those affiliations were making it hard for her to get a visa.

Islam in America Vocabulary The news story described in careful detail the businessman’s affiliations with well-known criminals. From the businessman’s point of view, would this kind of publicity be positive or negative?

Islam in America Vocabulary The integration of immigrants into American society often takes several generations. Read the sentence below to help you understand how the word integration is used. What are some of the reasons that integration of new or different people can take so long?

The first step in many cake recipes involves the integration of sugar into butter Islam in America Vocabulary until the two ingredients are completely combined.

Islam in America Vocabulary She was trying to focus on the integration of exercise into her busy life. Did she think she was spending too much time exercising or too little?

Islam in America Vocabulary Misperceptions about each other’s cultures can lead to unnecessary tension and hostility between individuals, groups, and nations. How is the word misperceptions used below? How could misperceptions lead to misjudgments and mistakes?

I need to work on changing some of my parents’ misperceptions about my friends. Islam in America Vocabulary It’s wrong to conclude from their sloppy clothes that they are lazy or bad students.

Islam in America Vocabulary One of the most common misperceptions about Islam is that the religion condones, or approves of, terrorism. How might you recognize a misperception?

Islam in America Vocabulary It is false to say that Islam prohibits the education of girls, although some majority-Muslim countries do deny education to girls. Read the sentence below to understand how the word prohibits is used in “Islam in America.” How is prohibit somewhat different in meaning from prevent? If you prohibit something, does that prevent it from happening?

This sign prohibits parking on this part of the street, Islam in America Vocabulary while this sign forbids cars from entering the street from the wrong direction.

Islam in America Vocabulary Our building prohibits the residents from keeping pets in their apartments, except for fish and birds. May the apartment residents have dogs or cats? [End of Section]

The End

QuickWrite

Islam in America QuickWrite Think about the people you know in school or in your neighborhood who have diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Write a few sentences explaining how cultural differences can enrich a community. [End of Section]

Background

Build Background Islam in America Magazine Article In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed an immigration bill that made it easier for people to immigrate to the United States based on their skills—rather than their country of origin. This led to a surge in immigration from Middle Eastern countries.

In his remarks at the signing of this immigration bill, President Johnson said, “Our beautiful America was built by a nation of strangers... joining and blending in one mighty and irresistible tide.” Build Background Islam in America Magazine Article [End of Section]

Read with a Purpose

Islam in America Magazine Article As you read, think about the ways that we, as a society, define what it means to be American. [End of Section]