1. Unit 1: Cultural Conversations Writing Workshop for EA#1

2. Before we start…
Take out your SpringBoard notebook. Today, you will be compiling information you can use for your essay (Embedded Assessment #1)
In the SpringBoard section, write the following heading at the top of the page:
NOTES FOR EA#1 DATE

3. Choosing a mentor text
Let’s start with something basic. Look through your SpringBoard book and find two essays, memoirs, interviews, or short stories that you can use as mentor texts.
Underneath your heading, write the following:
MENTOR TEXT: (insert name of your mentor texts and page numbers here)

4. Breaking Down the Prompt
Now let’s look at your writing prompt:
Your assignment is to write a reflective essay explaining your cultural identity.
Do you understand this prompt? How do you plan to begin? Let’s use your mentor texts as examples.
Read them again and mark the text to identify some techniques the writer uses to make their work interesting to you!

5. Questions and Notes…
In your SpringBoard notebook, answer the following questions (you do not have to copy these questions – they are from p. 45):
How will you generate ideas about aspects of your culture that might help convey your sense of identity?
How does your sense of cultural identity compare to that of your parents, your peers, or even strangers?
How can a cultural conflict – either external or internal – clarify how your cultural identity influences your perspective?
How might you use a particular cultural element (food, language, clothing, etc.) as a metaphor or central idea to focus your essay?
What will you include in a preliminary outline of an organizational structure?

6. Create a preliminary outline!
Now, let’s map out your essay. Below is an example of what I might use as an outline for a cultural identity essay of my own, using an experience to tie the story together:
Introduction: Parents and language, two worlds, etc.
Body 1: Short anecdote about growing up bilingual and learning both languages
Body 2: Talk about how difficult it can be to deal with others understanding your situation. Quote mentor text (interview)
Body 3: Experiences from my mixed culture. Quote mentor text (Ethnic Hash)
Body 4: Concession/refutation. Talk about how sometimes we can’t expect people to understand us if we can’t understand ourselves. Quote mentor text (Ethnic Hash)
Conclusion: Tie all the stories together. Where am I now and what have I learned from being multicultural? Talk about using those experiences to connect with others.

7. Homework…MY HEAD HURTS!
OK, you have worked very hard today!
Your homework is to come up with a rough draft. We can look at it next class and do some editing! Bring it in for a grade!

8. DUE DATES! Embedded Assessment #1 is an important project!
Due dates are:
October 20th (B day)
October 21st (A day)
Feel free to bring me a rough draft before the due date and I can help you edit, or schedule a time to meet with me if you need additional help!