Week 13: November 28 th – December 2 nd

Week 13: November 28th – December 2nd

Monday, November 28th, 2011Objectives: By the end of this lesson,1. you will be able to explain the criteria for selecting best evidence and identify the best evidence for several mini-thesis statements about Q & A.

Agenda:

1. Do Now 2. Turn in ‘Letter to Ram’ HW3. Best Evidence Criteria4. Partner Practice!5. Independent Practice

Homework:1. Study “(Or) a Love Story”, “Tragedy

Queen”, and how transgress/agency relate to Q&A for tomorrow’s ORQ test

2. Review Mini-thesis statement and Best Evidence Selection for tomorrow’s ORQ

Silent Do Now:1. How was your break?• What was a

highlight from it?2. How do you feel

about your ‘Letter to Ram’?

1. Best Evidence… • Is a quote with a citation (Author’s Last Name, Page #),

example: (Swarup 19)• Is meaningfully quoted

– Not longer than two sentences– Includes everything the reader needs to know to understand the

sentence– Shows the author’s unique thinking

• Directly supports the mini-thesis statement• SHOWS rather than TELLS why the mini-thesis statement is

correct– Does not just REPEAT the argument– Rather, it extends the thinking of your mini-thesis statement

Objective: By the end of this lesson,1. You will be able to explain the criteria for selecting best evidence

2. ORQ Best Evidence Rubric

4 = A 3 = B 2 = C or D 1 = FEvidence shows how the details of the text relate to one another to convey an overall meaning

There is one specific and relevant example from the text that best supports the mini-thesis statement Evidence is meaningfully quoted and/or paraphrased The quote is cited correctly and is introduced with the speaker, author, location in passage, or situation


There is one specific example from the text that supports the mini-thesis Evidence is somewhat meaningfully quoted/paraphrased by includes too much or too little information The quote is not cited correctly and/or is not introduced

Evidence is not connected to the mini-thesis statement

AND / OR

There is no evidence provided

Notes about a 4: Notes about a 3: Notes about a 2: Notes about a 1:


3. Best Evidence Selection Identification Practice

Prompt: Explain why Neelima Kumari is known as the “tragedy queen” and explain what this reveals about her character.

Mini-Thesis 1: In the chapter “Tragedy Queen” by Vikas Swarup, Neelima Kumari is known as the Tragedy Queen of Bollywood because she is able to channel the sadness in her personal life into her films and this shows that although she is beautiful and famous, she is actually damaged and broken on the inside. Quote Score (using

the rubric)Explanation for your score

Ram describes his experience with Neelima Kumar when he says, “A family drama with doses of comedy and action, ending eventually in tragedy. In film parlance, this is how I would describe the time I spent with Neelima Kumari” (Swarup 211).

Ram describes how Neelima Kumar when he says, “The more I see of Neelima, the more I begin to understand why she is called the Tragedy Queen. There is a core of melancholy that surrounds her. Even in her smile I detect a hint of sadness” (Swarup 218).

Neelima describes how she translates he personal life’s emotions into her acting in the quote, “ ’Do not forget that I will forever be known as the Tragedy Queen. And I didn’t become a tragedy queen just by reciting lines given to me by a scriptwriter. I lived the lives of my characters…You have to feel pain, experience it, live it in your daily life before you can become a tragedy queen’ ” (Swarup 226).

“A strange sadness spreads through me when I hear this. In a way, Neelima is an orphan, like me. But unlike me, she has a larger family --- her fans, producers, and directors. And she is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their sake. So that they can remember her forever as a young woman” (Swarup 228).

Ram describes his relationship to Neelima in the quote; “I do not know what Neelima Kumari was thinking when she drew me to her bosom. Whether she saw me as a son or as a lover, whether she did it to forget her pain or simply to gain a cheap thrill. But as I nuzzled my face between her breasts, all consciousness of the outer world ceased in my brain and for the first time I felt as though I was not an orphan anymore. That I had a real mother, one whose face I could see, one whose flesh I could touch” (Swarup 230).


3. Best Evidence Selection Identification Practice

Prompt: Explain why Neelima Kumari is known as the “tragedy queen” and explain what this reveals about her character.

Mini-Thesis 1: In the chapter “Tragedy Queen” by Vikas Swarup, Neelima Kumari is known as the Tragedy Queen of Bollywood because she is able to channel the sadness in her personal life into her films and this shows that although she is beautiful and famous, she is actually damaged and broken on the inside. Quote Score (using

the rubric)Explanation for your score

Ram describes his experience with Neelima Kumar when he says, “A family drama with doses of comedy and action, ending eventually in tragedy. In film parlance, this is how I would describe the time I spent with Neelima Kumari” (Swarup 211).

*Why does this not earn a higher score?*What criteria does this meet on the rubric?

Ram describes how Neelima Kumar when he says, “The more I see of Neelima, the more I begin to understand why she is called the Tragedy Queen. There is a core of melancholy that surrounds her. Even in her smile I detect a hint of sadness” (Swarup 218).

Neelima describes how she translates he personal life’s emotions into her acting in the quote, “ ’Do not forget that I will forever be known as the Tragedy Queen. And I didn’t become a tragedy queen just by reciting lines given to me by a scriptwriter. I lived the lives of my characters…You have to feel pain, experience it, live it in your daily life before you can become a tragedy queen’ ” (Swarup 226).

“A strange sadness spreads through me when I hear this. In a way, Neelima is an orphan, like me. But unlike me, she has a larger family --- her fans, producers, and directors. And she is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their sake. So that they can remember her forever as a young woman” (Swarup 228).

Ram describes his relationship to Neelima in the quote; “I do not know what Neelima Kumari was thinking when she drew me to her bosom. Whether she saw me as a son or as a lover, whether she did it to forget her pain or simply to gain a cheap thrill. But as I nuzzled my face between her breasts, all consciousness of the outer world ceased in my brain and for the first time I felt as though I was not an orphan anymore. That I had a real mother, one whose face I could see, one whose flesh I could touch” (Swarup 230).


4. Finding Best Evidence

1. Read with a purpose and look for key words from your prompt/purpose question

2. Identify relevant evidence through meaningful annotation Write an annotation that explains why you underlined or highlighted that

part of the text3. Identify and compose your mini-thesis statement4. Choose which pieces of evidence best support your mini-thesis

statement by asking yourself: Does it directly support my mini-thesis? Does it completely answer the prompt/part of the prompt I am addressing? Does it extend the thinking (i.e., SHOW) instead of repeating the argument?

5. Choose one piece of evidence and meaningfully quote the text in less than two sentences with a citation

6. Citation = ( + Author’s Last Name + Page Number + )

Example: (Swarup 134)

Objective: By the end of this lesson,1. You will be able to identify the best evidence for several mini-thesis statements about Q & A

5a. Best Evidence Selection PracticeGroupwork

**Re-read pages 264-265 and 282-287**

Prompt: Based on the chapter, “(or A Love Story)” by Vikas Swarup, explain how Ram has been affected by the inequities between rich and poor in India and how this inequity influences his actions in the chapter.

Purpose Question: How is Ram effected by the injustice and the gap between the rich and the poor in India and how does this gap affect the way he feels and acts?

Mini-Thesis: In the chapter “(or A Love Story)” by Vikas Swaup, the inequities between the rich and poor cause Ram to feel sympathy for the other characters who, like himself, are struggling to survive and resentment and anger towards the rich who take advantage of the poor. The poor become like a his family and he does anything to protect them and his resentment of the rich ultimately leads him to confront and expose Swapna Devi for the monster that she is.

Best Evidence to Support the Mini-Thesis: _______________________________________________________________

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Karen

Garlyn

Crystal Marie

Larissa Kayla

Joey

Zuri

Julian

AlerteTrae

Loveng Israel

Hannah

Celeste

Emily

Brunyr

Ricardo

Sophie

10A Front of Room - BoardRm. 407

Door

5b. Best Evidence Selection PracticeExtra Practice with Group

**Re-read pages 270 and 266-267**

Prompt: Based on the chapter, “(or A Love Story)” by Vikas Swarup, explain how family traditions limit the agency of both Nita and Lajwanti .

Purpose Question: How do family traditions limit the amount of power and control that both Lajwanti and Nita have over their own lives and their own identities?

Mini-Thesis: In the chapter “(or A Love Story)” by Vikas Swaup, family traditions limit the freedom of both Lajwanti and Nita because these traditions force them to give their hard earned money away to other family members, thus causing them to become indentured servants .


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EXIT TICKET6. Best Evidence Selection Practice

Independent Work **Re-read pages 267-270**

Prompt: Based on the chapter, “(or A Love Story)” by Vikas Swarup, explain what Ram learns about real love versus “reel love”.

Purpose Question: What has Ram learned about real love and how is this different from what he learned about love from the movies?

Mini-Thesis: In the chapter “(or A Love Story)” by Vikas Swaup, Ram learns that real love, unlike “reel love” as depicted in the movies, grows and develops over time and does not happen instantly. He also learns that real love changes everything.


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Thursday, December 1st, 2011Objective: by the end of this lesson, 1. you will be able to describe the similarities and differences between a thesis statement and a mini-thesis statement based on the criteria of each rubric;2. identify mini-thesis statements and thesis statements and explain why they are this;3. compose a thesis statement in response to the Unit 2 essay prompts.

Agenda:• Do Now• Review HW• Thesis Statements• Modeling• Gallery Walk• Essay TS• MTS vs. TS

Homework:• Vocabulary Essay – read, 2

annotations per paragraph, fill in vocabulary

Silent Do Now:1. What is the structure of

an ORQ?• HINT: (Mini-thesis

statement, Evidence #1…)

2. What is the structure of an essay?• HINT: (Hook, Lead-in,

thesis statement…)

ORQ versus EssayIn the Venn Diagram below, list at least four ways each that the ORQ and essay are

different and similar.

ORQ Essay

Review: What is a Thesis Statement?

• A thesis statement is an argument. It should state your position on an essay question or piece of literature.

• It should clearly reflect your ideas about a piece (or more than one piece) of literature and the essay question.

• Your thesis statement should include two parts: your argument/answer to the essay question as well as information about how you are going to prove your argument in the body of your paper.

• A thesis statement should not be too broad or too narrow.• A thesis statement is the heart of your essay. Your entire

essay needs to be organized around supporting your thesis.

Learning Goal: SWBATIdentify the qualities of a good thesis statement.

Where Does My Thesis Statement Belong?

• Your thesis statement belongs at the end of your introductory paragraph.

• Your thesis statement can be more than one sentence in length. However, it should be no more than three sentences long.

Learning Goal: SWBATIdentify the qualities of a good thesis statement

How will I know if I’ve written a good thesis

statement?

You should ask yourself the following questions: 1. Always refer to your rubric! 2. Did I answer one of the essay questions? 3. Can I think of at least three examples to support my

thesis statement? 4. Can I imagine someone else disagreeing with my

thesis statement? If not, then is my thesis statement merely a summary statement? How can I make it into an argument that reflects my own unique understanding of the texts and ideas from unit one?


Thesis Statement Rubric

Qualities to be Evaluated

4= Advanced Proficient 3=Proficient 2=Needs Improvement

1=Needs Improvement/Below Standard

Thesis Thesis is an argument based on an understanding a text(s) Directly and completely answers the question/prompt and shows an original interpretation of the text Shows a plan for how they will prove their argument in the body of the paper

Thesis is an argument based on an understanding a text(s) Directly and completely answers the question/prompt Shows a plan for how they will prove their argument in the body of the paper, but a element of the plan is too broad or too specific

Thesis/thematic focus lacks clarity or is misplaced. Mostly answers the question/prompt The thesis is not arguable. Thesis statement demonstrates a partial understanding of the text, or a superficial understanding of the text.

Thesis is not clear or appropriate for the assignment. Thesis is not arguable and/or connected to the assignment. Thesis represents a confused understanding of the text or does not reflect that you’ve completed the text

Objectives: SWBAT…1. Review the characteristics of a thesis statement and understand its purpose.2. Identify the qualities of a good thesis statement by analyzing the Thesis

Statement Rubric and evaluating several examples.

Directions: Read the sample essay question and the three sample thesis statements below. Then, use your review notes on thesis statements and your thesis statement rubric to evaluate each of the three examples.

• "The city may have chosen to ignore the ugly growth of Dharavi, but a cancer cannot be stopped simply by being declared illegal" (pg. 134). Often in life, problems go unacknowledged because they’re too painful to face. How does this happen throughout this book and what impact does this have on the characters?

Objective: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:Identify the qualities of a good thesis statement.

Sample Thesis Statement #1: Throughout the novel, the characters ignore problems that are too painful to face. This has a negative impact on the characters. SCORE __________

Sample Thesis Statement #2: In the novel Q & A, the landlord of the chawl tells Ram he should ignore the situation in Shantaram and Gudiya’s family because what happens in a man’s family is only his business. This happens because this is a problem that is too painful to face. SCORE ________

Sample Thesis Statement #3: In the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup, Ram encounters many problems that go unacknowledged because they are too painful to deal with. Ram transgresses this norm throughout the novel by confronting these painful truths and in doing this he exerts his own agency. Examples of these transgressions and agency include Ram’s murder of Shantaram, and his exposure of both Gupta in the juvenile home for boys and of Colonel Taylor’s treason. In all of these examples Ram brings major problems to light and forces those around him to deal with the painful truth. SCORE _________

Thesis Statement Think-Aloud

Sample Essay Question: • Does Salim do the right thing when he learns the truth about Ahmed Khan?

Objective: SWBATIdentify examples of strong thesis statements by watching a teacher-model/think aloud and writing and evaluating partner thesis statements.

Directions: I am going to model writing a thesis statement by thinking and writing out loud. While I do this you need to watch, listen and write: •What do I do before I write? •How might doing these things before I write help me? •What am I thinking/saying to myself throughout this process? •How was my process similar or different than what you go through yourself as you write a thesis statement?

Copy down Ms. Breindel’s Thesis Statement: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Score the thesis statement using the rubric (1-4)____________________Explain why you gave it this score: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Partner Work: Thesis Statement Practice

Directions: For this activity you and a partner will practice writing a thesis statement that fulfills the criteria on the thesis statement rubric and the thesis statement notes. You should refer to both of these while you write your thesis. Your thesis statement will be in response to the following question. Write your thesis statement in marker on the white paper and post it on the wall in the room.

• Essay Question: Why does Vikas Swarup make all of the adults in this novel so unreliable or even dangerous? What is he trying to say about adult/child or parent/child relationships?

Learning Goal: SWBATIdentify examples of strong thesis statements by reviewing the homework from Monday night, watching a teacher-model/think aloud and writing and evaluating partner thesis statements.

Thesis Statement Gallery Walk/Critique

Directions: • After everyone has finished writing their thesis

statement with a partner, get post-it notes and walk around the room and read everyone else’s thesis statements.

• Choose at least 6 thesis statements and give them a score using the thesis statement rubric.

• Write your score on the post-it note and briefly explain why you gave it that score on the bottom of the post-it.

• Place the post-it note next to the thesis.

Learning Goals: SWBATIdentify examples of strong thesis statements by reviewing the homework from Monday night, watching a teacher-model/think aloud and writing and evaluating partner thesis statements.

Mini-thesis Statement versus Thesis StatementExample Mini-thesis

statement o(MTS) Thesis Statement (TS)?

Why? How do you know this?

1. In the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup, Nita’s and Lajwanti’s family traditions limit their agency by causing them not to be self-centered by instilling thoughts in their mind that family is more important than themselves.2. Throughout the story, Ram, the teenage narrator, struggles against the boundaries of his culture and the adults who try to enforce the cultural norms of post-colonial India. Ram transgresses these norms repeatedly in an attempt to be his own agent and to change the rules of this adult world. 3. In the chapter “Tragedy Queen” by Vikas Swarup, Neelima Kumari is known as a Tragedy Queen because she is unable to break free of the depression that has put her into chains; she is not actually like the happy actress that the media makes her out to be,4. Throuhgout the novel, Q&A, there is a constant struggle for agency between the adolescents and the adults, specifically Ram, Nita, and Salim. These adolescents struggle for their agency in situations such as when Ram escapes the crippled school, when Salim strives to become an actor, and when Nita tries to leave prostitution for a married life.

Mini-Thesis Statement versus Thesis StatementIn the Venn Diagram below, list at least four ways each that the Mini-thesis

statement and a thesis statement

Mini-Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

Below your notes, write a THESIS STATEMENT to the following prompt:

• What message do you think Vikras Swarup is trying to convey to the reader about family in the novel Q & A?

Thesis Statements – score of ?

• In the novel, Vikras Swarup is trying to convey that not all families are perfect. Some families have major problems that include abandonment, abuse, and heartbreak.

• Vikras Swarup is conveying the idea that family comes in all shapes and sizes, and doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re related. It means that family can take many forms depending on what it is.

Prompt: What message do you think Vikras Swarup is trying to convey to the reader about family in the novel Q & A?

Thesis Statements – score of ?• In the novel, Q & A, the author, Vikas Swarup conveys

a lot about family through the book. Vikas Swarup displays the struggle, pain, and opposition of families in the book.

• In the novel, Q & A, Vikas Swarup believes family is a very important part of your life. Almost every chapter in the book deals with family in some way. For example in “How to Speak Australian,” Ram feels like family to the Taylors. They treat him as if he was their own.



• In the novel Q & A, Vikas Swarup shows that one’s true family is created by friendship rather than blood. This message is conveyed through Ram’s relationship with his friends and the few adults who opted to take care of him.

• In the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup, family is portrayed as a hindrance or a burden for most of the young adults in the novel. This idea is exemplified by Gudiya’s relationship with her father, through the inaction and ineffectiveness of Meenakshi’s father and through the relationship with Father Timothy and his secret son, Ian.



• In the novel, Q & A, by Vikras Swarup, the author shows that there is no such thing as a happy family by uncovering hidden secrets in families such as sexual and physical abuse, disappointments, and family members being abandoned.

• In the novel Q & A, Vikras Swarup demonstrates the idea that family is not always defined by who is related to you by blood. Throughout the novel, Ram makes many meaningful connections with people who take care of him like he is family, even though they were not actually related.


Unit Two Essay Prompt

Directions: For the unit two essay, you will write about the connection between one of the unit two concepts and the novel. Choose from one of the prompts below:

1. Identify a theme in Q&A and explain how this theme is developed throughout the novel. How does the author develop this theme and convey it to his readers? How is this theme shown rather than told throughout the story?

2. How is Q & A about the struggle for agency? 3. Why does Vikas Swarup choose to write Q&A in narrative order rather than chronological

order? What effect does this have on his readers, the story, and the characters?

Guidelines: • You must develop a thesis statement in response to one of the essay questions above. • Your thesis needs to be arguable and specific. • You need to include at least one vocabulary word from unit two in your thesis. • You need to use your thesis statement to construct an outline.• You need to identify three pieces of best evidence (quotes) that directly and clearly support

your thesis. There should be one quote in each body paragraph.• You need to organize your writing into five clearly written and proof-read paragraphs (intro.,

three body paragraphs and conclusion). • You need to complete multiple drafts of your writing and make significant improvements with

each draft.

Introduction Part Two: 3. Thesis Statement: Your thesis statement needs to be two-three sentences long. Your thesis statement needs to be arguable and specific and needs to directly address the essay question you chose and copied on page one of your outline. 3a. Example: Throughout the story, Ram, the teenage narrator, struggles against the boundaries of his culture and the adults who try to enforce the cultural norms of post-colonial India. Ram transgresses these norms repeatedly in an attempt to be his own agent and to change the rules of this adult world.

• Your Thesis Statement

Friday, December 2nd, 2011Objective: by the end of this lesson,1. you will be able to explain the similarities and differences between a mini-thesis statement and a thesis statement;2. compose a thesis statement and revise it in response to a prompt based on Q&A.

Agenda:• Do Now• Turn in HW – Vocabulary packet• Thesis statements Review• Mini-thesis statement vs. thesis

statement• Gallery Walk• Gallery Walk Debrief

Homework:• Write a thesis statement for your

prompt• Chronological Timeline due

Thursday!

Silent Do Now:Take out your HW – the thesis

statement based on the “family” prompt.

• What is a thesis statement?• Describe 3 characteristics of

thesis statements• Write at least one question

you have about thesis statements or the rubric.

Review: What is a Thesis Statement?

• A thesis statement is an argument. It should state your position on an essay question or piece of literature.

• It should clearly reflect your ideas about a piece (or more than one piece) of literature and the essay question.

• Your thesis statement should include two parts: your argument/answer to the essay question as well as information about how you are going to prove your argument in the body of your paper.

• A thesis statement should not be too broad or too narrow.• A thesis statement is the heart of your essay. Your entire

essay needs to be organized around supporting your thesis.

Learning Goal: SWBATIdentify the qualities of a good thesis statement.

Where Does My Thesis Statement Belong?

• Your thesis statement belongs at the end of your introductory paragraph.

• Your thesis statement can be more than one sentence in length. However, it should be no more than three sentences long.


How will I know if I’ve written a good thesis

statement?

You should ask yourself the following questions: 1. Always refer to your rubric! 2. Did I answer one of the essay questions? 3. Can I think of at least three examples to support my

thesis statement? 4. Can I imagine someone else disagreeing with my

thesis statement? If not, then is my thesis statement merely a summary statement? How can I make it into an argument that reflects my own unique understanding of the texts and ideas from unit one?


Mini-thesis Statement versus Thesis StatementExample Mini-thesis

statement o(MTS) Thesis Statement (TS)?

Why? How do you know this?

1. In the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup, Nita’s and Lajwanti’s family traditions limit their agency by causing them not to be self-centered by instilling thoughts in their mind that family is more important than themselves.2. Throughout the story, Ram, the teenage narrator, struggles against the boundaries of his culture and the adults who try to enforce the cultural norms of post-colonial India. Ram transgresses these norms repeatedly in an attempt to be his own agent and to change the rules of this adult world. 3. In the chapter “Tragedy Queen” by Vikas Swarup, Neelima Kumari is known as a Tragedy Queen because she is unable to break free of the depression that has put her into chains; she is not actually like the happy actress that the media makes her out to be,4. Throuhgout the novel, Q&A, there is a constant struggle for agency between the adolescents and the adults, specifically Ram, Nita, and Salim. These adolescents struggle for their agency in situations such as when Ram escapes the crippled school, when Salim strives to become an actor, and when Nita tries to leave prostitution for a married life.

Mini-Thesis Statement versus Thesis StatementIn the Venn Diagram below, list at least four ways each that the Mini-thesis

statement and a thesis statement

Mini-Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement Rubric


4= Advanced Proficient 3=Proficient 2=Needs Improvement

1=Needs Improvement/Below Standard





Objectives: SWBAT…1. Review the characteristics of a thesis statement and understand its purpose.2. Identify the qualities of a good thesis statement by analyzing the Thesis

Statement Rubric and evaluating several examples.

Partner Work: Thesis Statement Practice

Directions: For this activity you and a partner will practice writing a thesis statement that fulfills the criteria on the thesis statement rubric and the thesis statement notes. You should refer to both of these while you write your thesis. Your thesis statement will be in response to the following question. Write your thesis statement in marker on the white paper and post it on the wall in the room.

• Essay Question: What message do you think Vikras Swarup is trying to convey to the reader about family in the novel Q & A?

Learning Goal: SWBATIdentify examples of strong thesis statements by reviewing the homework from Monday night, watching a teacher-model/think aloud and writing and evaluating partner thesis statements.

Thesis Statement Gallery Walk/Critique

Directions: • After everyone has finished writing their thesis

statement with a partner, get post-it notes and walk around the room and read everyone else’s thesis statements.

• Choose at least 6 thesis statements and give them a score using the thesis statement rubric.

• Write your score on the post-it note and briefly explain why you gave it that score on the bottom of the post-it.

• Place the post-it note next to the thesis.

Learning Goals: SWBATIdentify examples of strong thesis statements by reviewing the homework from Monday night, watching a teacher-model/think aloud and writing and evaluating partner thesis statements.


• In the novel, Q & A, by Vikras Swarup, the author shows that there is no such thing as a happy family by uncovering hidden secrets in families such as sexual and physical abuse, disappointments, and family members being abandoned.

• In the novel Q & A, Vikras Swarup demonstrates the idea that family is not always defined by who is related to you by blood. Throughout the novel, Ram makes many meaningful connections with people who take care of him like he is family, even though they were not actually related.



• In the novel, Vikras Swarup is trying to convey that not all families are perfect. Some families have major problems that include abandonment, abuse, and heartbreak.

• Vikras Swarup is conveying the idea that family comes in all shapes and sizes, and doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re related. It means that family can take many forms depending on what it is.


Thesis Statements – score of ?• In the novel, Q & A, the author, Vikas Swarup conveys

a lot about family through the book. Vikas Swarup displays the struggle, pain, and opposition of families in the book.

• In the novel, Q & A, Vikas Swarup believes family is a very important part of your life. Almost every chapter in the book deals with family in some way. For example in “How to Speak Australian,” Ram feels like family to the Taylors. They treat him as if he was their own.



• In the novel Q & A, Vikas Swarup shows that one’s true family is created by friendship rather than blood. This message is conveyed through Ram’s relationship with his friends and the few adults who opted to take care of him.

• In the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup, family is portrayed as a hindrance or a burden for most of the young adults in the novel. This idea is exemplified by Gudiya’s relationship with her father, through the inaction and ineffectiveness of Meenakshi’s father and through the relationship with Father Timothy and his secret son, Ian.


Unit Two Essay Prompt

Directions: For the unit two essay, you will write about the connection between one of the unit two concepts and the novel. Choose from one of the prompts below:

1. Identify a theme in Q&A and explain how this theme is developed throughout the novel. How does the author develop this theme and convey it to his readers? How is this theme shown rather than told throughout the story?

2. How is Q & A about the struggle for agency? 3. Why does Vikas Swarup choose to write Q&A in narrative order rather than chronological

order? What effect does this have on his readers, the story, and the characters?

Guidelines: • You must develop a thesis statement in response to one of the essay questions above. • Your thesis needs to be arguable and specific. • You need to include at least one vocabulary word from unit two in your thesis. • You need to use your thesis statement to construct an outline.• You need to identify three pieces of best evidence (quotes) that directly and clearly support

your thesis. There should be one quote in each body paragraph.• You need to organize your writing into five clearly written and proof-read paragraphs (intro.,

three body paragraphs and conclusion). • You need to complete multiple drafts of your writing and make significant improvements with

each draft.

Introduction Part Two (A):3. Thesis Statement: Your thesis statement needs to be two-three sentences long. Your thesis statement needs to be arguable and specific and needs to directly address the essay question you chose and copied on page one of your outline. 3a. Example: Throughout the story, Ram, the teenage narrator, struggles against the boundaries of his culture and the adults who try to enforce the cultural norms of post-colonial India. Ram transgresses these norms repeatedly in an attempt to be his own agent and to change the rules of this adult world.

• Your Thesis Statement

Introduction Part Two (B): 3. Thesis Statement: Your thesis statement needs to be two-three sentences long. Your thesis statement needs to be arguable and specific and needs to directly address the essay question you chose and copied on page one of your outline. 3a. Example: Throughout the story, Ram, the teenage narrator, struggles against the boundaries of his culture and the adults who try to enforce the cultural norms of post-colonial India. Ram transgresses these norms repeatedly in an attempt to be his own agent and to change the rules of this adult world.

• Your REVISED Thesis Statement


4= Advanced Proficient, 95% 3=Proficient, 85% 2=Needs Improvement, 75% 1=Needs Improvement/Below Standard, 65-55%





10th Grade World LiteratureUnit Two Essay Outline

Your Hook:

Your Lead-In:

Name: ______________________________________________________

Essay Question: __________________________________________________________________

Introduction Part One: 1. Your introduction needs to include a hook (a juicy quote, or a broad question that engages the reader with the general topic of your essay, but is not yet specifically about your thesis statement or the text. The hook needs to be connected to the thesis and the text, but is much more broad than the thesis. 1a. Example Hook: The World Bank estimates that 456 million Indians (41.6% of the total Indian population) now live under the global poverty line of US$ 1.25 per day. This means that a third of the global poor now reside in India.

2. Lead-In: Your lead-in is a sentence or two that builds a connection between your hook and your thesis statement for the reader of your essay. 2a. Example: Vikas Swarup brings this statistic to life in his gripping novel, Q & A. This books is a representation of the lives of India’s poor and their struggle to have recognition and status.

ORQ Best Evidence Rubric

4 = A 3 = B 2 = C or D 1 = FEvidence shows how the details of the text relate to one another to convey an overall meaning



There is one specific example from the text that supports the mini-thesis Evidence is somewhat meaningfully quoted/paraphrased by includes too much or too little information The quote is not cited correctly and/or is not introduced

Evidence is not connected to the mini-thesis statement

AND / OR

There is no evidence provided

Notes about a 4: Notes about a 3: Notes about a 2: Notes about a 1:

Use this rubric to select the three pieces of evidence for your essay Don’t forget to introduce your quotes and cite them. Write out the FULL quote.

The Body of the Essay: All three body paragraphs need to be clearly organized and connected to the thesis statement. Each body paragraph needs to include a quote from the novel that supports your ideas and your thesis statement, context before and after the quote and analysis of the quote. Each body paragraph must be at least 5 sentences long (not including the quote).

Topic of Body PP 1 What is this paragraph going to be about?

Explanation How does this topic connect to and support your thesis statement?

Context : Introduction of quote 1 What is happening at this point in the story? Who is speaking? Who are they speaking to? What are they talking about?

Quote: be sure to include the author and the page number (Swarup 113).

Analysis 1 Why is this an important quote/moment in the text? What does this quote reveal?

Analysis 2 How does this quote support your thesis statement?

Transition to next topic/paragraph How does this example and the ideas in this paragraph connect to the ideas/topics/examples in your next body paragraph?















Conclusion: Your conclusion needs to be at least three sentences long. Your conclusion must begin by revisiting your thesis statement in new words (do not simply copy it using the same exact words you used in your introduction. Synthesize, or summarize and connect the ideas in the three body paragraphs.Connection between your thesis/argument and the world. Extend your ideas in the essay so that you go beyond the book– how does your thesis have significance, importance or relevance in the real world? Leave your reader with something to think about!

Documents

Week 13: November 28 th – December 2 nd