Block Day 11/5-6 ~ Short Story #2: Through the Tunnel

ROOTS

• man - hand
• mand - command

MEMORIZATION

• Beatitudes Quiz!
• When you finish the quiz, complete Journal 27 below.

SAT Vocab - Write a sentence using FIVE of these SAT words. 

1. Contrition - a state of feeling crushed by guilt
2. luminous - bright or shining
3. supplication - the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly
4. sputtering - spitting or spraying
5. beseeching - urgently requesting someone to do something
6. minute - tiny
7. clambered - to climb, move, or get out of something in an awkward or laborious way
8. incredulous - unbelievable
9. gout - a type of arthritis

SHORT STORY #2: Through the Tunnel

Journal 27
1. Have you ever taken a risk to prove yourself before? Do you find it convincing that Jerry takes such a large risk and survives? Why/why not?
2. Write a sentence using FIVE of the SAT words from the list above.
3.Write an overview of the plot of Through the Tunnel using the bold terms from yesterday's notes (exposition, complication, rising action, climax, epiphany, falling action, denouement).
4. What similarities in THEME are shared between this story and Two Kinds?
5. Write a thesis that answers one of the two prompts (see notes below):

• Compare/contrast the approach of the mothers in the stories Two Kinds and Through the Tunnel. 
• Compare/contrast the two messages about growing up in Two Kinds and Through the Tunnel. 

_________________________________________________________________________________
Writing Instruction
*Essays back

Notes: What makes a good thesis?

For starters: Are these Strong Thesis Statements?

1. The myth, Midas, has a great lesson.
2. My essay is about the lesson on greed in Midas. 
3. While greed is universally known to lead to disaster, Midas is one Greek myth that shows the painful effects of greed on the individual, the family, and society

How do you write a STRONG Thesis Statement?
      *In this case, strong means clear and specific.

1st -Figure out the question.
         What traits make a hero universal hero?
         Why has the hero changed?
         How has the hero changed since Greek times?
         Which traits do I view as the true hero?
         
2nd - Answer the question.  
  One possible format to use is the CAB thesis:

       Contest
                   Although the Greek heroes were often demigods and quite selfish,
          Assert
                   they do have some major similarities with the typical modern hero
          Because
                    because they share the traits of self-sacrifice, loyalty and courage.

3rd - Check it.

• Did I take a debatable position? No Summary!!!
• Is my thesis specific enough? Avoid general words. For example, if you contain words like "good" or "successful," then state what makes it good or specifically what the standard for success is.
• Does it pass the "So What?" test? If not, you may need to clarify, connect your ideas to a larger issue, or narrow your topic down somehow. 
• Does my thesis match my body paragraphs? If the topics of your body paragraphs do not match your thesis, then one of them has to change. It is ok to change your thesis. This often happens as your write and think more deeply about a topic. For this reason, many people write the introduction to the essay last. 

For more help, go to this website.
For more practice, go to this website.

HW: Complete Journal 27

P.S. If you want to regain five points on your essay grade, you may rewrite your thesis as a CAB style thesis (Only grades B and below are eligible). Points must be redeemed in person during flex next week.