The Writing Puzzle Mrs. Mazurier LA1-H

Understand the PROMPT What will you write?What will you write? What/Who is the topic?What/Who is the topic? What will you do? (include a verb)What will you do? (include a verb) How do I develop the essay?How do I develop the essay? An essay Fiddler Jones Discuss the theme of the poem “Fiddler Jones” Using details from Fiddler Jones’ life that can be found in the poem PROMPT = Fiddler Jones has a unique approach to life. The details of his life support the theme of the poem “Fiddler Jones.” Using the details, discuss the theme of the poem.

INTRODUCTION Puzzle Pieces HookTAGSThesis

Puzzle Piece #1 = THESIS Use the Topic  Theme approach we have discussed to create a theme statementUse the Topic  Theme approach we have discussed to create a theme statement –If we are true to ourselves, we will live a life without regret. –If you are true to yourself, you can live a life without regret. Remove the 1 st & 2 nd person (if necessary):Remove the 1 st & 2 nd person (if necessary): –If one is true to themselves, one will live a life without regret. –If people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret.

Puzzle Piece #2 = TAGS Title: “Fiddler Jones”Title: “Fiddler Jones” Author: Edgar Lee MastersAuthor: Edgar Lee Masters Genre: PoemGenre: Poem Summary: 1-3 sentences. Do not give away too much detail. Think Who/What/When/Where. KISS!Summary: 1-3 sentences. Do not give away too much detail. Think Who/What/When/Where. KISS! –Fiddler Jones speaks from his grave to describe a life lived with joy.

Puzzle Piece #3 = HOOK A HOOK captures the reader’s attention and begins to focus it on the topic you will discuss.A HOOK captures the reader’s attention and begins to focus it on the topic you will discuss. Common HOOKS: famous quote, statement to make people think, thought-provoking question, a statistic, anecdote (a brief story/scenario)…Common HOOKS: famous quote, statement to make people think, thought-provoking question, a statistic, anecdote (a brief story/scenario)… Quote EXs:Quote EXs: 1.U. S. President Harry S. Truman once said, “Never, never waste a minute on regret. It’s a waste of time.” 2.“To thine own self be true” - William Shakespeare put these words into the mouth of Polonius, one of literature’s true fusspots. However, the advice remains some of the best Shakespeare ever offered.

CONNECTING the Pieces U. S. President Harry S. Truman once said, “Never, never waste a minute on regret. It’s a waste of time” (HOOK). This idea of regret being a waste can be seen in (CONNECTION) the poem, “Fiddler Jones” by Edgar Lee Masters, when the title character speaks from his grave to describe a life lived with joy (TAGS). Through the personality and talents of Fiddler Jones, the theme of the poem becomes clear: (CONNECTION) if people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret (THESIS).U. S. President Harry S. Truman once said, “Never, never waste a minute on regret. It’s a waste of time” (HOOK). This idea of regret being a waste can be seen in (CONNECTION) the poem, “Fiddler Jones” by Edgar Lee Masters, when the title character speaks from his grave to describe a life lived with joy (TAGS). Through the personality and talents of Fiddler Jones, the theme of the poem becomes clear: (CONNECTION) if people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret (THESIS).

BLOCK OUT (outline) Introduction Body Paragraph: Personality Conclusion Find specific quotes (evidence) for each body paragraph Create commentary that explains how/why each quote shows the theme to be true. Body Paragraph: Talents

BODY PARAGRAPH Puzzle Pieces Personality

Puzzle Piece #1 = TS TS = Topic SentenceTS = Topic Sentence –This needs to relate to your claim (THESIS): Through the personality and talents of Fiddler Jones, the theme of the poem becomes clear: if people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret. –EX: Fiddler Jones had the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him.

Puzzle Piece #2 = CD CD = Concrete DetailCD = Concrete Detail –Examples should relate to what you’re trying to prove in this paragraph (TS): Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him. –All examples should be proof that Fiddler Jones had the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him.

Puzzle Piece #3 = CM CM = CommentaryCM = Commentary –1-3 sentences explaining how/why the CD relates to the TS (Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him ) and reveals the THESIS (Through the personality and talents of Fiddler Jones, the theme of the poem becomes clear: if people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret). –Explain how the example shows Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist and/or sees beauty all around him.

Puzzle Piece #4 = CS CS = Concluding SentenceCS = Concluding Sentence –MUST summarize CM and tie back to THESIS (explain how the CDs you used reveal your thesis of being true to oneself in order to live without regret) –Can restate TS in a new way –Can transition into the next TS

CONNECTING the Pieces First, Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him (TS). He sees a pasture, for example, not as a cash crop but as “a meadow to walk through to the river.” Fiddler hears beauty in the raucous cries of crows and robins and “the creak[ing] of a windmill.” To him, they sound like a “medley of horns, bassoons, and piccolos” (CDs). Fiddler is not interested in being a financial success. This is clear from the difficulty he has farming his 40 acres due to the beauty around him causing constant distractions. However, these distractions are a good thing, because Fiddler discovers the person he is meant to be - not a farmer, but someone who is content with simple pleasures (CM). He teaches readers the secret to living a full life is stopping to appreciate the world around them (CS).First, Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him (TS). He sees a pasture, for example, not as a cash crop but as “a meadow to walk through to the river.” Fiddler hears beauty in the raucous cries of crows and robins and “the creak[ing] of a windmill.” To him, they sound like a “medley of horns, bassoons, and piccolos” (CDs). Fiddler is not interested in being a financial success. This is clear from the difficulty he has farming his 40 acres due to the beauty around him causing constant distractions. However, these distractions are a good thing, because Fiddler discovers the person he is meant to be - not a farmer, but someone who is content with simple pleasures (CM). He teaches readers the secret to living a full life is stopping to appreciate the world around them (CS).

CONNECTING the Pieces TRANSITIONS ARE THE CONNECTORS!TRANSITIONS ARE THE CONNECTORS! Addition Transitions: moreover, besides, in addition, further, also, and then, then too, again, next, secondly, equally important, as another consideration, furthermore, finally, lastly, first, second, etc.Addition Transitions: moreover, besides, in addition, further, also, and then, then too, again, next, secondly, equally important, as another consideration, furthermore, finally, lastly, first, second, etc. Contrast Transitions: however, conversely, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, but, nevertheless, notwithstanding, and yet, still, even so, for all that, equally important, yet, though, thereforeContrast Transitions: however, conversely, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, but, nevertheless, notwithstanding, and yet, still, even so, for all that, equally important, yet, though, therefore Example Transitions: for example, in this situation, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, take the case of, proof of this, evidence of thisExample Transitions: for example, in this situation, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, take the case of, proof of this, evidence of this Summation Transitions : as a result, finally, in conclusion, consequently, thus, therefore, accordingly, due to, in summary, in shortSummation Transitions : as a result, finally, in conclusion, consequently, thus, therefore, accordingly, due to, in summary, in short

CONCLUSION Puzzle Pieces Tie back to Hook Tie back to TS Tie back to Thesis Final Thought

Tie back to Hook, TS, & Thesis HOOK: U. S. President Harry S. Truman once said, “Never, never waste a minute on regret. It’s a waste of time.”HOOK: U. S. President Harry S. Truman once said, “Never, never waste a minute on regret. It’s a waste of time.” THESIS: Through the personality and talents of Fiddler Jones, the theme of the poem becomes clear: if people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret.THESIS: Through the personality and talents of Fiddler Jones, the theme of the poem becomes clear: if people are true to themselves, they will live lives without regret. TS #1: First, Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him.TS #1: First, Fiddler Jones has the soul of an artist, finding beauty all around him. TS #2: Second, sharing his gift of music brings joy not only to others, but also to Fiddler.TS #2: Second, sharing his gift of music brings joy not only to others, but also to Fiddler.

CONNECTING the Pieces More people need to follow the example of “Fiddler Jones” and find what makes them content. Whether it is taking the time to stop and smell the roses, or finding that one activity that is not a job or chore, but a release and an enjoyment, people need to live their lives so as to be true to themselves and eliminate regret (Tie Back to TS and Thesis). For as President Truman says, “[Regret] is a waste of time,” and lives are much too precious to waste doing that which one does not enjoy (Tie Back to Hook).More people need to follow the example of “Fiddler Jones” and find what makes them content. Whether it is taking the time to stop and smell the roses, or finding that one activity that is not a job or chore, but a release and an enjoyment, people need to live their lives so as to be true to themselves and eliminate regret (Tie Back to TS and Thesis). For as President Truman says, “[Regret] is a waste of time,” and lives are much too precious to waste doing that which one does not enjoy (Tie Back to Hook).