The Critical/Analytical Response to Text The Craft of Writing an Essay – Part 1

1. The Critical/Analytical Response to TextThe Craft of Writing an Essay – Part 1 PLANNING THE ESSAY WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT A Think Aloud Process

2. Deciding on your thesis statement: The first step to planning your essay • The assumption is that you know your text inside out and have developed your own ideas in relation to the text • For a literary essay, you are asked to make a debatable claim that demonstrates your insight on a specific topic (essential question). Your claim should strike the reader as an “aha” rather than a “duh” observation

3. Critical Essay Question • Essay questions normally consist of an essential question that can be related to a wide variety of texts. For example: • With reference to the novel or film you studied in ELA 20-1, discuss the ideas developed by the text creator regarding how individuals struggle to come to terms with their sense identity?

4. STEP ONE Interpret the question (work the prompt) • Underline the key thematic words - identity, struggle, come to terms with • develop your own interpretation: • how do we determine what ‘identity’ is? • how will you define/describe identity? • what factors may cause a ‘struggle to come to terms’ with identity?

5. Now work interpretations to suit your chosen text • What do you think the author/director suggests about various aspects of identity in your chosen text? • Who gives the character(s) their sense of identity? • What gives the character(s) their sense of identity? • What does the text say about identity?

6. STEP TWODecide on a text and create the question • Change the statement into a question (that you can answer) related to a specific text of your choice How/Why/When (under what circumstances) do / does (name character/s) struggle to come to terms with their sense of identity in author’s (name text)?

7. STEP THREEBrainstorm a subset of questions • As you do so, think of possible answers. Let your imagination roam over all possible questions: • How is a sense of identity compromised in the text? • Which character’s (or characters’) responses to this struggle intrigue me? • How does / do the character/s display their identity and does their sense of identity change throughout the course of the text? • How does / do other character/s contribute to/reinforce the main character’s sense of identity? • Which character’s (or characters’) responses best demonstrate a struggle with their own sense of identity? • What is the nature of the character’s (or characters’) struggle (internal/external)? • Who or what is holding them back from achieving a secure sense of identity? • How does the character (do the characters) of your choice attempt to create/come to terms with a new sense of identity? • Is a secure sense of identity achieved in the end by the actions of your character(s) and if so how?

8. STEP FOURCreate your claim & blueprint your supporting arguments • Look for a pattern (group your ideas) in your brainstorming that leads to a potential claim • Think of an argument/claim (that contains potential for debate) • Create at least three supporting arguments that support your main argument/claim • Be specific – have specific incidents from the text to back up your point

9. STEP FIVEWrite your thesis • A good thesis is not only a debatable claim, but also suggests the structure of the paper. The thesis allows the reader to imagine and anticipate the flow of the paper • Your statement should: • State the topic • State your insight/interpretation/claim • Refer the text if you have not already done so in your introductory paragraph • State specific character(s) involved • Suggest a sequence of points that logically prove the essay's main assertion • Be expressed in the present tense

10. FORMULA SENTENCE(When in doubt, try this) Think about it this way: • By looking at ___, we see that ___ (unique insight) which is significant because … Write it this way: • In (name of text), the author (name) develops the idea that… Consider: • whether your statement implies cause and effect (a ‘leads to’ statement), makes connections or comparisons (an ‘is’ statement) or comments on a theme related to the prompt

11. Examples of formula statements Think about it this way: • By looking at the way Jamal and Forrester change during the course of the film, we see that individuals may hide their true identities from the people around them and the outside world which is significant because it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are able to live fulfilling lives. Write it this way: • In the film Finding Forrester, the director, Gus Van Sant, develops the ideathat individuals may hide their true identities from the people around them and the outside world; however, it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are able to live fulfilling lives.

12. STEP SIXTest your thesis against the 5-part MTS (magic thesis statement) formula: • Identify what you are looking at (aspect of identity in character/s) • Identify the situation you can see / are describing • State where that leads • Point out the significance • Be able to restate your thesis in other words – literally write a sentence following your thesis that begins with “in other words”

13. LAST STEPTest your thesis (CSSMI) “Kiss me” Clarity: • Use straightforward language – avoid reference to philosophers/philosophies or anything esoteric Specificity: • Is your thesis it too vague? For example, the statement “Gus Van Sant’s characterization demonstrates his incredible insight as a director" is too vague because your reader can't be sure what you mean by "insight" or how it relates to "characterization" Strength: • Make sure you have at least three arguments (in mind) that support your thesis • Make sure you have evidence for each argument • Each argument should be the material for future body paragraphs Manageability: • Can you handle the topic within the time frame/space provided? Interest: • Does it state the obvious (“duh”)? If it's so obvious that nobody could fail to see it, it's probably not worth writing about

14. Identity in Finding Forrester : Level 3 • Disadvantaged, basket-ball-playing, black teen, Jamal Wallace, meets eccentric, reclusive writer, William Forrester. Jamal is a gifted student and writer, but he hides his talent from his peers in order to be accepted. Likewise, Forrester is a prize-winning writer who wants no contact with the outside world and lives a life of isolation in his small apartment. At some level, both characters in the film Finding Forrester are denying their true identities at the start of the film, and it is only when the two meet that they are able to gradually break through the barriers that are holding them back from assuming their true identities. Director, Gus Van Sant, uses the film’s physical settings, costumes, and the motif of literature to explore this idea. Good opening hook. Two main characters are introduced, and the notion that identity can be ‘hidden’ is set up briefly to provide context. There is no interpretation or explanation given of identity. Blueprint needs clarification. Expressions such as “Likewise” and “At some level” should be revisited. Where is the thesis statement? How to change to a level 4 – see next slide.

15. Identity in Finding Forrester : Level 4 • Disadvantaged, basket-ball-playing, black teen, Jamal Wallace, meets eccentric, reclusive writer, William Forrester. In the film Finding Forrester, the director, Gus Van Sant, develops the idea that that individuals may hide their true identities from the people around them and the outside world; however, it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are able to live fulfilling lives. Although Jamal is a gifted student and writer, he hides his talent from his peers in order to be accepted. Likewise, Forrester is a prize-winning writer who wants no contact with the outside world and lives a life of isolation in his small apartment. At some level, both characters in the film Finding Forrester are denying their true identities at the start of the film, and it is only when the two meet that they are able to gradually break through the barriers that are holding them back from assuming their true identities. Director, Gus Van Sant, uses the film’s physical settings, costumes, and the motif of literature to explore this idea. Good opening hook. Two main characters are introduced, and the notion that identity can be ‘hidden’ is set up briefly to provide context. There is no interpretation or explanation given of identity. Thesis statement included. Blueprint needs clarification. Expressions such as “Likewise” and “At some level” should be revisited. How to change to a level 5 – see next slide.

16. Identity in Finding Forrester Level 3 changed to a level 5 (+) • Race. Employment. Family and friends. These are all factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of identity. However, the concept of identity is complex because an individual’s sense of identity is not fixed and is constantly evolving as both external and internal circumstances change. In the film Finding Forrester, director, Gus Van Sant, develops the idea that that individuals may hide their true identities from the people around them and the outside world; however, it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are able to live fulfilling lives.In other words, in order to establish an authentic sense of self and to live a truly successful life, it is necessary to overcome the fears and obstacles that may cause an individual to hide vital factors that contribute to his identity. In Finding Forrester, Jamal Wallace, a disadvantaged, basket-ball-playing, black teen, meets William Forrester, an eccentric, reclusive writer, and the identities of both characters are gradually transformed. Because of cultural, environmental, and self-imposed restrictions, both Jamal and Forrester hide their true identities, Jamal conforming to stereotypical behaviour to achieve the acceptance of his peers, and Forrester hiding from the outside world in the prison of his apartment. Neither character is living a fulfilling life; however, when they both face their challenges and fears, they are able to reveal their true identities and achieve their full potential. Director, Gus Van Sant, uses the film’s physical settings to convey the limitations placed upon the characters by their environments, the motif of literature to create a link between Jamal and Forrester, and clothing to depict Jamal’s and Forrester’s emerging and new-found identities. • What is good about this introduction?