Organization Help before the in-class writing exam on Friday, Oct. 23

PLAN YOUR ESSAY, CHOOSE YOUR QUOTES, AND THINK ABOUT YOUR ANALYSIS NOW FOR THE IN-CLASS ESSAY EXAM: FRIDAY, OCT. 23

RE-READ THE QUESTIONS AND SELECT AN ESSAY

ESSAY OPTION #1: In the novel The Kite Runner, Hosseini works hard to create VISUAL symbols to help the reader better understand the relationship between Amir and Hassan. Using the pomegranate tree, kites, and the slingshot, explain how each is a VISUAL SYMBOL of both the quality and status of the relationship between the two boys. ********* In your conclusion, give an explanation as to WHY these symbols are effective for most readers.

ESSAY OPTION #2 In the novel The Kite Runner, Hosseini works hard to foreshadow the fact that Hassan and Amir are truly “brothers.” Using chapters 1-18, locate THREE examples of foreshadowing developed by Hosseini which are designed to lead the reader toward understanding that Amir and Hassan are brothers in every sense of the word. ********* In your conclusion, explain how the reader’s perception of Amir and his actions [ and LACK of action] changes once we understand they are brothers.

TURN THE ESSAY QUESTION INTO A THESIS STATEMENT

THESIS STATEMENTS: WHY ESSAYS WORK OR FAIL 1. They are the LAST sentence of your introduction paragraph 2. They turn the essay question into a statement of fact 3. Whatever order you write things in is the order you must discuss them in – period! It’s a “Road Map” for the reader of your paper so they know what to expect and in what order. Essay #1: Ex.: The author utilizes three unique visual symbols in the novel, The Kite Runner, to help the reader better understand the relationship between Amir and Hassan: a slingshot used by Hassan, a pomegranate tree the boys often sit in together, and a kite the boys fly in a contest. Essay #2: Ex.: Throughout the novel, The Kite Runner, the author utilizes the writing technique of foreshadowing to hint to the reader that Amir and Hassan are brothers in every sense of the word.

FIND, COPY, AND CITE YOUR QUOTES IN THE ORDER YOU PLAN TO USE THEM

Essay #1 * Decide which order you want to place the three symbols in for your body paragraph – tweak your THESIS STATEMENT to reflect the same order * Choose a quote which shows both the QUALITY and the STATUS of their friendship at that moment *KEY: Place these quotes in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER * Find one quote FOR EACH SYMBOL which you think will help you say something IMPORTANT about the relationship between Amir and Hassan * Copy EACH completely and correctly cite each one: “ “ ( Hosseini __). Essay #2 * Locate three places in the novel where you believe Hosseini is foreshadowing that Amir and Hassan are brothers * Find one quote FOR EACH INSTANCE OF FORESHADOWING. *KEY: Place these quotes in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER * Copy EACH completely and correctly cite each one: “ “ ( Hosseini __).

PONDER THE LITTLE PICTURE FOR YOUR BODY PARAGRAPH

ANALYSIS OF EACH POINT IN THE BODY PARAGRAPH….SUPER IMPORTANT ALTHOUGH YOU CAN’T WRITE IT DOWN AHEAD OF TIME, YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT NOW! THINK: Essay #1: How does each symbol, ON ITS OWN, show some particular facet of the relationship between Amir and Hassan? Each quote must be analyzed for this – why? You MUST tie the symbols to the larger question of proving the symbols help a reader better understand their relationship. Note: For your conclusion, you COMBINE the facets into a single, overall image of their relationship. Essay #2: How does each instance of foreshadowing, ON ITS OWN, hint at the true relationship between Amir and Hassan [ the fact they are brothers ]? Note: For your conclusion, you describe the overall feeling the reader gets from A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THE FORESHADOWING BUILDING up to the point where the truth is revealed. What does foreshadowing really do?!? It’s building __!

PONDER THE BIG PICTURE FOR YOUR CONCLUSION

FINAL ANALYSIS FOR YOUR CONCLUSION : ALTHOUGH YOU CAN’T WRITE IT DOWN AHEAD OF TIME, YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT SO YOU ARE READY TO WRITE IT DURING THE EXAM: THINK: How do you plan to connect the dots? Each item you identified and found a quote to prove is like a “dot” that must be connected by YOU to the big picture. Essay #1: How do ALL OF THE SYMBOLS, together, help the reader to better understand the overall quality and status of their relationship? What is the “big picture” the author wants us to see and understand? If you think he’s trying to make larger point about friendship, comment on that as well. Essay #2: How do ALL OF THE INSTANCES OF FORESHADOWING, together, help the reader to intuitively begin to feel like or believe that Amir and Hassan are truly “brothers” PRIOR to Amir finding out from Rahim in Pakistan? Comment also on why finding out they are half brothers changes the reader’s perception of the whole relationship between Amir and Hassan now….

BRAINSTORM YOUR TITLE NOW: BE CREATIVE- MAKE IT RELATE TO YOUR ESSAY TOPIC Write it on your quotes sheet so you have it

1. Bring your book and any notes 2. Bring your copied quotes 3. Bring something to write with AND paper