The Writing Prompt:The Writing Prompt:Writing About a QuoteWriting About a Quote

Catherine WishartLiteracy Coach

Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved.

Responding to aResponding to a Confusing Quote Confusing Quote

Responding to a Confusing QuoteResponding to a Confusing Quote

• Sometimes quotes are Sometimes quotes are difficult to fully difficult to fully understand:understand:– ““Do we not all agree to Do we not all agree to

call rapid thought and call rapid thought and noble impulse by the noble impulse by the name of inspiration?”name of inspiration?”• George Eliot

http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/inspirational-quotes-1.html

• Writers need a strategy Writers need a strategy when a quote is confusing.when a quote is confusing.

• Re-read the quote again Re-read the quote again carefully. Decide which carefully. Decide which ONE word is the most ONE word is the most important word in the important word in the quote.quote.

• Decide how you can write Decide how you can write about that ONE word. about that ONE word.

Planning a Response to This Quote:Planning a Response to This Quote:The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

• State the quote and the author in the first sentence. State the quote and the author in the first sentence. • Point out that this quote means different things to different Point out that this quote means different things to different

people. people. • Ask, “But what does this quote mean to me?”Ask, “But what does this quote mean to me?”• Think about your thesis statement. Which word in the quote Think about your thesis statement. Which word in the quote

is the most important word in the quote? State which word is the most important word in the quote? State which word you think is most important.you think is most important.– You can start this sentence with: “As for me….”You can start this sentence with: “As for me….”

• Try to list three ideas in your thesis statement that will help Try to list three ideas in your thesis statement that will help you talk about the word you chose. These three ideas will be you talk about the word you chose. These three ideas will be your outline for your essay. your outline for your essay.

A Sample Response to This Quote:A Sample Response to This Quote:The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

According to George Eliot, “Do we not all agree to call According to George Eliot, “Do we not all agree to call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of inspiration?” Of rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of inspiration?” Of course, this quote means different things to different people. course, this quote means different things to different people. But what does this quote mean to me? As for me, the most But what does this quote mean to me? As for me, the most important word in this quote is the word “inspiration.” important word in this quote is the word “inspiration.” Three Three people that I think are inspirational are my mother, Eleanor people that I think are inspirational are my mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Barack Obama. Roosevelt, and Barack Obama.

The Second Paragraph: The Second Paragraph: Answering the First Part of the Thesis Answering the First Part of the Thesis

StatementStatement

• Thesis statement: Three people that I think Thesis statement: Three people that I think are inspirational are are inspirational are my mothermy mother, Eleanor , Eleanor Roosevelt, and Barack Obama. Roosevelt, and Barack Obama.

• This paragraph should talk about This paragraph should talk about my mothermy mother..

A Sample Response to This Quote:A Sample Response to This Quote:The Second ParagraphThe Second Paragraph

My motherMy mother is very inspirational to me. When my mother is very inspirational to me. When my mother was eighteen, she quit high school and got married. But Mom was eighteen, she quit high school and got married. But Mom never felt good about not finishing high school. So when she was never felt good about not finishing high school. So when she was thirty years old, Mom went back to school and worked to get her thirty years old, Mom went back to school and worked to get her high school diploma. She told us how hard this was and we saw high school diploma. She told us how hard this was and we saw her studying every night. Mom told us, “All of my kids will her studying every night. Mom told us, “All of my kids will graduate from high school on time!” Even though the work was graduate from high school on time!” Even though the work was hard, Mom finished her program and graduated from high hard, Mom finished her program and graduated from high school. She is inspirational because she was willing to work hard school. She is inspirational because she was willing to work hard to get her diploma. to get her diploma.

The Third Paragraph: The Third Paragraph: Answering the Second Part of the Thesis StatementAnswering the Second Part of the Thesis Statement

• Thesis statement: Three people that I think Thesis statement: Three people that I think are inspirational are my mother, are inspirational are my mother, Eleanor Eleanor RooseveltRoosevelt, and Barack Obama. , and Barack Obama.

• This paragraph should talk about This paragraph should talk about Eleanor Eleanor RooseveltRoosevelt..

A Sample Response to This Quote:A Sample Response to This Quote:The Third ParagraphThe Third Paragraph

Eleanor RooseveltEleanor Roosevelt is also an inspiration. When she was is also an inspiration. When she was First Lady, she did a lot of great things. One thing she did was she First Lady, she did a lot of great things. One thing she did was she helped the Tuskegee Airmen. She went to where they were helped the Tuskegee Airmen. She went to where they were training and rode in a plane with one of the Tuskegee Airmen. training and rode in a plane with one of the Tuskegee Airmen. People who were prejudiced were angry, but other people People who were prejudiced were angry, but other people realized that the Tuskegee Airmen were doing a great job for the realized that the Tuskegee Airmen were doing a great job for the country. Eleanor Roosevelt liked to fight for the rights of people. country. Eleanor Roosevelt liked to fight for the rights of people. That is why she is an inspiration. That is why she is an inspiration.

The Fourth Paragraph: The Fourth Paragraph: Answering the Third Part of the Thesis StatementAnswering the Third Part of the Thesis Statement

• Thesis statement: Three people that I think Thesis statement: Three people that I think are inspirational are my mother, Eleanor are inspirational are my mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Roosevelt, and Barack ObamaBarack Obama. .

• This paragraph should talk about This paragraph should talk about Barack Barack ObamaObama..

A Sample Response to This Quote:A Sample Response to This Quote:The Fourth ParagraphThe Fourth Paragraph

Finally, Finally, Barack Obama Barack Obama is very inspiring. He has fought is very inspiring. He has fought hard his whole life to protect the rights of other people. Even hard his whole life to protect the rights of other people. Even though his father left when he was very young and his mother though his father left when he was very young and his mother died, Barack Obama went to college and became a senator for died, Barack Obama went to college and became a senator for Illinois. He ran for president is now the forty-fourth president of Illinois. He ran for president is now the forty-fourth president of the United States. He is the first African-American to be the United States. He is the first African-American to be president. president.

A Sample Response to This Quote:A Sample Response to This Quote:The ConclusionThe Conclusion

In conclusion, George Eliot’s use of the word “inspiration” In conclusion, George Eliot’s use of the word “inspiration” in his quote is important to me. This word is important because it in his quote is important to me. This word is important because it reminds me of people who have inspired me to work harder. My reminds me of people who have inspired me to work harder. My mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Barack Obama are all mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Barack Obama are all inspirational people. inspirational people.

Can I Choose the Wrong Word?Can I Choose the Wrong Word?NO!!!NO!!!

• Look at the same quote Look at the same quote again:again:– ““Do we not all agree to Do we not all agree to

call rapid thought and call rapid thought and noble impulse by the noble impulse by the name of inspiration?”name of inspiration?”• George Eliot

http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/inspirational-quotes-1.html

• This time, let’s say the This time, let’s say the writer decides that the writer decides that the word “noble” is the most word “noble” is the most important word in the important word in the quote. quote.

• The writer decides what The writer decides what that ONE word means and that ONE word means and plans an essay. plans an essay.

Planning Another Response to This Quote: The Planning Another Response to This Quote: The Introductory ParagraphIntroductory Paragraph

• State the quote and the author in the first sentence. State the quote and the author in the first sentence. • Point out that this quote means different things to different Point out that this quote means different things to different

people. people. • Ask, “But what does this quote mean to me?”Ask, “But what does this quote mean to me?”• Think about your thesis statement. This time, we will decide Think about your thesis statement. This time, we will decide

that the most important word in the quote is “noble.”that the most important word in the quote is “noble.”– You can start this sentence with: “As for me….”You can start this sentence with: “As for me….”

• Try to list three ideas in your thesis statement that will help Try to list three ideas in your thesis statement that will help you talk about the word you chose. These three ideas will be you talk about the word you chose. These three ideas will be your outline for your essay. your outline for your essay.

Another Sample Response to This Quote:Another Sample Response to This Quote:The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

According to George Eliot, “Do we not all agree to According to George Eliot, “Do we not all agree to call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of inspiration?” Of course, this quote means different things to inspiration?” Of course, this quote means different things to different people. But what does this quote mean to me? As different people. But what does this quote mean to me? As for me, the most important word in this quote is the word for me, the most important word in this quote is the word “noble.” Three things that make a person noble are being “noble.” Three things that make a person noble are being honest, unselfish, and kind. honest, unselfish, and kind.

The Second Paragraph: The Second Paragraph: Answering the First Part of the Thesis StatementAnswering the First Part of the Thesis Statement

• Thesis statement: Three things that make a Thesis statement: Three things that make a person noble are person noble are being honestbeing honest, unselfish, and , unselfish, and kind. kind.

• This paragraph should talk about This paragraph should talk about being being honesthonest..

Another Sample Response to This Quote:Another Sample Response to This Quote:The Second ParagraphThe Second Paragraph

Noble people are Noble people are honest. Honesthonest. Honest people tell the truth people tell the truth even when telling the truth is hard to do. Last year, a friend of even when telling the truth is hard to do. Last year, a friend of mine made a bad choice and went to another friend’s house mine made a bad choice and went to another friend’s house instead of going to baseball practice. When my friend got home, instead of going to baseball practice. When my friend got home, his mother asked, “How was practice today?” Even though it was his mother asked, “How was practice today?” Even though it was hard and he knew he would get grounded, my friend told his hard and he knew he would get grounded, my friend told his mother the truth and admitted that we went to a friend’s house mother the truth and admitted that we went to a friend’s house instead of going to practice. Telling his mother the truth was a instead of going to practice. Telling his mother the truth was a noble thing to do. noble thing to do.

Planning Another Response to This Quote: The Planning Another Response to This Quote: The Third ParagraphThird Paragraph

• Thesis statement: Three things that make a person Thesis statement: Three things that make a person noble are being honest, noble are being honest, unselfishunselfish, and kind. , and kind.

• This paragraph should talk about being This paragraph should talk about being unselfishunselfish. .

Another Sample Response to This Quote:Another Sample Response to This Quote:The Third ParagraphThe Third Paragraph

Noble people are also Noble people are also unselfishunselfish. How are they . How are they unselfish? When a noble person has to make a choice the unselfish? When a noble person has to make a choice the noble person will choose what is best for everybody instead of noble person will choose what is best for everybody instead of what is best for himself or herself. For example, when Martin what is best for himself or herself. For example, when Martin Luther King, Jr. decided to lead the Civil Rights Movement, his Luther King, Jr. decided to lead the Civil Rights Movement, his family was put in danger. His house was even bombed. But he family was put in danger. His house was even bombed. But he was unselfish and decided that putting the needs of all African-was unselfish and decided that putting the needs of all African-Americans before the needs of his family was the right thing to Americans before the needs of his family was the right thing to do. do.

Planning Another Response to This Quote: The Planning Another Response to This Quote: The Fourth ParagraphFourth Paragraph

• Thesis statement: Three things that make a Thesis statement: Three things that make a person noble are being honest, unselfish, and person noble are being honest, unselfish, and kindkind. .

• This paragraph should talk about being This paragraph should talk about being kindkind. .

Another Sample Response to This Quote: The Another Sample Response to This Quote: The Fourth ParagraphFourth Paragraph

Finally, noble people areFinally, noble people are kind kind. When a person is . When a person is kindkind, the , the person worries about other people’s feelings. For example, my person worries about other people’s feelings. For example, my math teacher is kind to me when I am having trouble. Instead of math teacher is kind to me when I am having trouble. Instead of yelling at me or telling me that I can’t do it, my math teacher yelling at me or telling me that I can’t do it, my math teacher takes the time to show me what I did right. Then she helps me takes the time to show me what I did right. Then she helps me figure out where the problem is and convinces me that I can do figure out where the problem is and convinces me that I can do the work. Even though I made a mistake, the way she works the work. Even though I made a mistake, the way she works with me makes me feel confident I can do better. When my with me makes me feel confident I can do better. When my math teacher is kind to me, she is being noble. math teacher is kind to me, she is being noble.

Planning the Conclusion Planning the Conclusion

• Start out with “In conclusion,” and then write Start out with “In conclusion,” and then write that the author’s use of your word is that the author’s use of your word is important.important.

• Explain why the author’s use of that word is Explain why the author’s use of that word is important to you.important to you.

• Restate your thesis statement. Try to use Restate your thesis statement. Try to use different words to say the same thing. different words to say the same thing.

Another Sample Response to This Quote: Another Sample Response to This Quote: The ConclusionThe Conclusion

In conclusion, George Eliot’s use of the word “noble” is In conclusion, George Eliot’s use of the word “noble” is important to me. This word is important because it makes me important to me. This word is important because it makes me think about what really makes a person noble. Truthfulness, think about what really makes a person noble. Truthfulness, generosity, and gentleness are all ways that a person can be generosity, and gentleness are all ways that a person can be noble. noble.

Putting It All TogetherPutting It All TogetherAccording to George Eliot, “Do we not all agree to call rapid thought and noble impulse by the name of

inspiration?” Of course, this quote means different things to different people. But what does this quote mean to me? As for me, the most important word in this quote is the word “noble.” Three things that make a person noble are being honest, unselfish, and kind.

Noble people are honest. Honest people tell the truth even when telling the truth is hard to do. Last year, a friend of mine made a bad choice and went to another friend’s house instead of going to baseball practice. When my friend got home, his mother asked, “How was practice today?” Even though it was hard and he knew he would get grounded, my friend told his mother the truth and admitted that we went to a friend’s house instead of going to practice. Telling his mother the truth was a noble thing to do.

Noble people are also unselfish. How are they unselfish? When a noble person has to make a choice the noble person will choose what is best for everybody instead of what is best for himself or herself. For example, when Martin Luther King, Jr. decided to lead the Civil Rights Movement, his family was put in danger. His house was even bombed. But he was unselfish and decided that putting the needs of all African-Americans before the needs of his family was the right thing to do.

Finally, noble people are kind. When a person is kind, the person worries about other people’s feelings. For example, my math teacher is kind to me when I am having trouble. Instead of yelling at me or telling me that I can’t do it, my math teacher takes the time to show me what I did right. Then she helps me figure out where the problem is and convinces me that I can do the work. Even though I made a mistake, the way she works with me makes me feel confident I can do better. When my math teacher is kind to me, she is being noble.

In conclusion, George Eliot’s use of the word “noble” is important to me. This word is important because it makes me think about what really makes a person noble. Truthfulness, generosity, and gentleness are all ways that a person can be noble.

What Do I Do If I’m Going to Run Out of Time?What Do I Do If I’m Going to Run Out of Time?• First of all, take a deep breath. You can make changes to your First of all, take a deep breath. You can make changes to your

essay still essay still feels feels complete to the reader. complete to the reader. • If you know that you tend to take more time to write, plan a If you know that you tend to take more time to write, plan a

different thesis:different thesis:– Instead of listing 3 points in your thesis, list 2. This way you will have Instead of listing 3 points in your thesis, list 2. This way you will have

to write 4 paragraphs instead of 5.to write 4 paragraphs instead of 5.– NEVER list less than 2 points in your thesis.NEVER list less than 2 points in your thesis.

• If you are trying to write about 3 points but time is running If you are trying to write about 3 points but time is running out, go back and erase the last point on your thesis. out, go back and erase the last point on your thesis. – I could change my last thesis to, “I could change my last thesis to, “Two Two things that make a person things that make a person

noble are being honest and unselfish.” noble are being honest and unselfish.” • My essay will be missing “being kind,” but the reader will still My essay will be missing “being kind,” but the reader will still feel feel like I like I

finished my essay. finished my essay. • Whenever possible, make sure to list 3 points. This is a Whenever possible, make sure to list 3 points. This is a

standard form for essays, and the reader will not only standard form for essays, and the reader will not only feel feel like like you finished your essay, but your reader will also you finished your essay, but your reader will also feel feel satisfied with what he or she read. satisfied with what he or she read.

Make a ChoiceMake a Choice

You May Choose This Quote:You May Choose This Quote:

• ““Affection hides three Affection hides three times as many virtues as times as many virtues as charity does sins” (Horace charity does sins” (Horace Mann). Mann).

Or You May Choose This Quote:Or You May Choose This Quote:

• ““Genius is present in every Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it age, but the men carrying it within them remain within them remain benumbed unless benumbed unless extraordinary events occur extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth” mass so that it flows forth” (Denis Diderot). (Denis Diderot).

Read both of the quotations below. Decide which quote you would like to write about. Try to use the formula for “Answering a Confusing Quote” to write a response to this quotation.

Sources of QuotationsSources of Quotations

• Easy Literacy. http://www.easyliteracy.com.

• Friendship Page. http://www.friendship.com.

• Quoteland. http://www.quoteland.com.

• Quotes Daddy. http://www.quotesdaddy.com.