Analysis using evidence

General Pattern Topic Sentence Transition into evidence (context) Evidence from text Analysis of evidence Transition into next piece of evidence Concluding sentence/Transition to next

Poem Much Madness is divinest Sense - (620) Much Madness is divinest Sense - To a discerning Eye - Much Sense - the starkest Madness - ’Tis the Majority In this, as all, prevail - Assent - and you are sane - Demur - you’re straightway dangerous - And handled with a Chain - -Emily Dickinson

Model Dickinson believes that society is afraid of those who do not follow societal norms. Society sees those people and their actions as “Madness” and treats them as “straightway dangerous.” By comparing the way society treats those who are unconventional to “handl[ing them]…with a chain” Dickinson asserts that society views people with different views as lunatics, or even animals. Dickinson is of the belief that this treatment is unnecessary as their action and beliefs are not aggressive; she describes their choices of difference as “Demur[ing],” indicating those people are simply not following along with the crowd.

Model paragraph to follow Dickinson seems to appreciate those who deviate from the expected. One of the examples that shows her support is when she states that “Much Madness is divinest Sense—” indicating that which society sees as lunacy, is in fact truth. The use of the word “divinest” to describe the “sense” of these people shows her admiration by using a word that denotes inspiration from God and connotes that it is of the highest quality. She asserts that those with “a discerning Eye” can recognize the untraditional views and beliefs as insight and truth as these people have the ability to “discern” to analyze and recognize those views for what they are, “divinest Sense” and truth. In this sense she compliments those who look beyond the obvious and those who “demur” from society’s expectations.

Let’s try this together Instructions for joining a new society by Herberto Padilla One: Be optimistic. Two: Be well turned out, courteous, obedient. (Must have made the grade in sports.) And finally, walk As every member does: One step forward And two or three back; But always applauding, applauding.

With this evidence what could we argue the theme is? _____(Topic Sentence goes here)_______ The title “Instructions for joining a new society” implies that the act of going somewhere new is difficult or confusing enough that one might need instructions. Padilla includes this to_____(what does this show us?)_______. The phrase telling everyone to “walk/as every member does” shows his belief that____(what does this mean?)_________. Padilla thinks this is ridiculous as “every member” does the same thing and even though it is flawed, everyone must join them and take “one step forward/and two or three back.” This shows his belief that society is unwilling to acknowledge the errors they make and if one wants to be accepted, they need to make the same errors. Padilla asserts that not only should a new member of society make the same mistakes, but they should also believe they are doing well and make sure they are “always applauding” themselves and each other. This shows his belief that society is ______(overall message)______.

Can we find solid textual evidence? Heberto Padilla argues that when one joins a society they must be careful and make sure they are likeable. Transition & Evidence that shows this . One must make sure that the members of the society view them as acceptable in order to succeed. The poem also shows his belief that you cannot question a society or its members when you join it Transition & Evidence that shows this. The word choice shows both what the society values, but also what is expected of a new member. The choice of “ specific word choice ” and “ specific word choice ” show his belief that this is ridiculous as “1st word choice” is a word/phrase that is _(what is the connotation, the emotion, the symbolic meaning?) and “2nd word choice” is a word/phrase that is _(what is the connotation, the emotion, the symbolic meaning?). Together these elements of the poem show Padilla’s belief that one must be careful in joining a new society as society is judgmental and does not welcome people with different beliefs and values.

Now it’s all you. 