Tips for In-class Essays

Honors English 11

Bring your annotated Caged Bird book to class Refer to the author by last name only (after

first reference and when you’re referring to him/her as an author). Saying Maya or Ritie for Caged Bird is acceptable when you’re talking about her as a character.

Underline novel/book titles

Remember to. . .

Use proper setup for quotes

Use : after a full sentence Use , after “Angelou notes, “ Use nothing when quote flows perfectly with

your sentence.

Use proper citations for quotes and paraphrases: “K;ajsldkfjpwoiej” (Angelou 57). “laksjdfowijej” (53).

Quoting and Citing

See Question 3 (below) then compare

responses: The author writes, “If growing up is painful for

the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat.” What do you make of the author’s portrayal of race? How do Ritie and her family cope with the racial tension that permeates their lives?

Use specific examples

“The author’s portrayal of race is that being

black is a difficulty, especially when considering racism from other races like with white people. She describes her difficulty as rust on a razor, and that growing up as a Southern black girl is painful. Her family copes by making friends and being respectful.”

Consider this response

“The author’s portrayal of race is that being black is a difficulty, especially when considering racism from other

races like with white people. She describes her difficulty as rust on a razor,

and that growing up as a Southern black girl is

painful. Her family copes by making friends and being respectful.”

Regurgitating

Think of specific examples where the family

“makes friends” or “is respectful”

Advice

“There is no doubt that race has a profound

impact on Southern black suburban families, but they really try to not let it get in the way too much. Momma is respected among the black community because she owns a store and helps other black people. Big Bailey tries to impress white people by getting with other women and buying flashy things. Daddy Clydell uses his friends and white ignorance to make money. Vivian is just beautiful. Each family member learns how to cope in his/her own way.”

Consider this response

Discuss

“There is no doubt that race has a profound impact on Southern black suburban families, but they really try to not let it get in the way too much. Momma is respected among the black community because she owns a store and helps other black people. Big Bailey tries to impress white people by getting with other women and buying flashy things. Daddy Clydell uses his friends and white ignorance to make money. Vivian is just beautiful. Each family member learns how to cope in his/her own way.”

Topic Sentence with a claim (insight)

Three specific examples

Paragraph clincher

“It’s even worse pain to be aware of

displacement. They ignore it and pretend it isn’t there.”

Consider

Evaluate

“It’s even worse pain to be aware of displacement.

They ignore it and pretend it isn’t there.”

Too brief Does understand the

quote Doesn’t identify

“they” Doesn’t offer specific

examples or elaborate

“Maya portrays race as an underlying code that

governs society. Most characters in the book are fearful of others of a different race. Maya portrays race as another aspect of society that separates people. Ritie’s “Momma” handles the concept of race the best. She respects the social norms when it is for the best interest of her family. However, “Momma” challenges the concept of race and the separation that race creates. Momma shows her love for Ritie when she stands up to the white dentist and demands her debt to be paid.”

Consider

Evaluate

“Maya portrays race as an underlying code that governs society. Most characters in the book are fearful of others of a different race. Maya portrays race as another aspect of society that separates people. Ritie’s “Momma” handles the concept of race the best. She respects the social norms when it is for the best interest of her family. However, “Momma” challenges the concept of race and the separation that race creates. Momma shows her love for Ritie when she stands up to the white dentist and demands her debt to be paid.”

Say “Angelou” here because about the author.

Offers several insights Offers a detailed example

which features one character and the complexity of how she deals with race in different situations.

Could add a paragraph clincher.

Good body paragraphs include:

Topic sentences with claims Specific evidence with character references,

sometimes quotes and citations, and even complexities.

Paragraph clinchers which tie to your purpose

Summarize