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Office Hours – Monday-Thursday from 4-5 PM and/or by appointment.

Please take out your homework while Mr. Hew checks it. Please come to class earlier so we save time checking homework.

All absent work is now being placed in the Absent Work Folder.

Literary Devices Test this Friday, October 28, 2011!!!

11th Grade American LiteratureAIM: How do we develop a thesis statement

and a hook for your synthesis essay on the American Dream? (October 26, 2011)

Objective(s) and StandardsSWBAT develop a thesis statement that

explains whether or not they believe the American Dream exists and why.

SWBAT develop a hook for their synthesis essay that captures their readers’ attention and explains their argument.

AIM: How do we develop a thesis statement and a hook for your synthesis essay on the American Dream? (October 26, 2011)

Your Assignment – Synthesis EssayLet’s look over what

you are being asked to do for your synthesis essay!

The Claim (Your Thesis, What You are Arguing) (2-3 Minutes)

Usually comes in the opening section of your essay.

States your belief and what it is that you wish to argue.

Needs to be a reasonable argument that can be backed up with evidence.

Can be straightforward, specific, and clear, i.e. “I believe that…”In this type of writing, you are allowed to write

in 1st person. In literary essays, you are not allowed to.

AIM: How do we develop a thesis statement and a hook for your synthesis essay on the American Dream? (October 26, 2011)

Working with a Partner (3 Minutes)

Please turn to your partner now and give them feedback on the thesis statement that they selected.

Does it answer these two questions following questions?:Does the American Dream still exist today? Why or why not?

Mr. Hew’s Thesis StatementI believe American Dream exists now and its

alive and well because things are good.

Is this a well-developed thesis statement?Why or why not? Can it be improved?

Mr. Hew’s Claim, or Thesis StatementI believe the American Dream does still exist

today, but it may take generations for it to be realized, if at all, because of racial, economic, and educational obstacles that severely limit the opportunities of immigrants, minorities, and lower-class citizens.

Is this a well-developed thesis statement?Why or why not? Can it be improved?

A Few Quotes that Support Mr. Hew’s Claim (Evidence)“Yet only part of my blood loves that memory.

/ Another voice speaks / of native lands/ within this nation. / Lands invaded when the earth became owned.”- “Ellis Island” by Joseph Bruchac

A Few Quotes that Support Mr. Hew’s Claim (Evidence)“Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, /

And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth, / Stealing my breath of life, I will confess / I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!” - “America” by Claude McKay

A Few Quotes that Support Mr. Hew’s Claim (Evidence)““We musn’t keep mamma and the others

waiting,” said she. “To Wallack’s Theatre as fast as you can drive!” said Richard loyally.””- O. Henry’s “Mammon and the Archer”

A Few Quotes that Support Mr. Hew’s Claim (Evidence)““Why don’t you ask her?” demanded old

Anthony. “She’ll jump at you. You’ve got the money and the looks, and you’re a decent boy. Your hands are clean. You’ve got no Eureka soap on ’em. You’ve been to college, but she’ll over look that.””- “Mammon and the Archer” by O. Henry

Developing a Hook (Setting Readers Up to Agree With You)The hook grabs the readers’ attention and

catches their interest.It often establishes a connection between

readers and writers and provides background information.

It can be, but is not limited to, an anecdote, an image, a definition, or a quotation!

Examples of Well-Developed HooksI like “dropout” as an addition to the American

Dream language because it’s brief and it’s clear. What I don’t like is that we use it almost entirely as a dirty word.

We only apply it to people under twenty-one. Yet an adult who spends his days and nights watching mindless TV programs is more of a dropout than an eighteen-year-old who quits college, with its frequently mindless courses, to become, say, a VISTA volunteer. For the young, dropping out is often a way of dropping in.- Taken from “The Right to Fail” by William Zinsser

Mr. Hew’s HookWatch as Mr. Hew develops the hook for his

synthesis essay.What mistakes does he make?What does he do to constantly improve it?What does he do well as he writes his hook?

Homework1) Go back and find more quotes if needed or

better quotes for your synthesis essay. Continue to look at them and add onto your explanation.

2) Revise your thesis statement.3) Write a hook for your synthesis essay! It

must be a well-developed body paragraph. 4) Study your literary devices – test on

Friday!