1. PreAP English II

2. Objectives You will learn how to break down a timed writing prompt. You will begin to brainstorm ideas about the central question. You will plan your response.

3. Materials Copy of Life of Pi One sheet of blank paper for taking notes, brainstorming ideas, generating a beginning thesis (you may bring this one piece of paper to class on the day of your timed writing!)

4. Prompt In literary works, a symbol is an object, action, or event that represents an abstract idea or creates a range of associations beyond itself. Read the following passages from Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and consider what Richard Parker symbolizes. Then write a well- developed essay in which you explain what the symbol of Richard Parker reveals about the theme of Life of Pi. Do not merely summarize the plot. You may want to consider literary devices such as point of view, diction, syntax, imagery, or detail.

5. Prompt If you have the prompt printed in front of you, highlight the section that explains what you will have to do. Hint: Look for the word “then” and whatever follows it! Reduce the prompt into a question that you will attempt to answer.

6. Prompt In literary works, a symbol is an object, action, or event that represents an abstract idea or creates a range of associations beyond itself. Read the following passages from Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and consider what Richard Parker symbolizes. Then write a well- developed essay in which you explain what the symbol of Richard Parker reveals about the theme of Life of Pi. Do not merely summarize the plot. You may want to consider literary devices such as point of view, diction, syntax, imagery, or detail.

7. Breaking down the prompt: A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. When analyzing a symbol, you must consider what that symbol represents. What does it mean beyond just the object or character, itself?

8. Prompt: Break it down Consider Richard Parker as a symbol. What does Richard Parker symbolize? Richard Parker is more than just a tiger. What ideas does Richard Parker represent?

9. Richard Parker = Symbol

10. Richard Parker as a SYMBOL Insatiable Hunger Ferociousness/ savagery Survival Skills Ability to kill “the animal inside” Predator Can be tamed / controlled The “Wild” The beast; inhuman

11. Rephrase as a question: What does Richard Parker reveal about the theme of the novel? You will need to discuss the following in your essay: What is the theme of the novel? AND How does Richard Parker reveal that theme?

12. Theme Remember that a theme is a statement that reveals a truth – a truth about life, humanity, society, the world, etc. Theme should be conveyed as a thematic statement (not just a topic), so think of a complete sentence – not one word. A theme should be universal. This means it can be applied to other books, films, poems, etc. It will not include specifics like character’s names, plot details.

13. Theme – an example from Landscape with the Fall of Icarus NOT a theme: Theme! Death Death is a “thematic idea” or “topic,” but not a “thematic statement.” What is the painting saying about death? What is the overall message? In Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, Brueghel reveals that life continues on, even in the face of death. Notice that this is a complete sentence! It is a statement about what the artist is communicating about the idea of death.

14. Thesis Statement Your thesis is a 1-2 sentence statement that declares the purpose of your essay. In analytical essays, you are typically trying to persuade the reader that your analysis of the tone or theme is supported by the text. In a timed writing, your thesis should address the prompt. Thesis Template: In Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Richard Parker symbolizes ____________________________________, revealing ______________________________________. the idea Richard Parker represents thematic statement

15. 1 Possible Organization Strategy I. One sentence opening + Thesis Statement II. Paragraph #1: Answer Question 1 (What does RP symbolize? ) Flesh out the paragraph by explaining how literary devices in the text establish the symbol. III. Paragraph #2, 3, etc.: Answer Question 2 with multiple examples (What does the symbol reveal about the theme?) Be sure to refer to moments from the passage (or other places in the novel) that support your claim.

16. Scoring Notes AP essays are graded on a 9 point scale. An 8 or 9 is very difficult to achieve as a sophomore writer; an appropriate goal would be earning in the 5-7 range at this point in the year. Essays that only summarize the plot will score a 1 or 2 (on that 9 point scale). Your essay must involve some level of analysis (not summary!) to be minimally successful. Lack of evidence will result in a score of 3 or lower. You must incorporate direct quotations from the passage and embed them into your response to earn a 4 or higher.

17. Scaffolding: Since this is my first timed writing of 10 th grade, what “lucky charms” can I bring to class to help me out? Typically you will only have the prompt and the passage in front of you, but THIS TIME… you have seen the prompt ahead of time. you may bring your copy of Life of Pi to find additional supporting evidence. you may bring ONE SHEET OF NOTEBOOK PAPER (with notes from this ppt, a draft of your thesis, and any other planning ideas – writing on only one side of the piece of paper) to use as an aid during the timed writing.