The Giver

1. The Giver AEC and ORQ practice rewrite

2. Prompt: On a separate sheet of paper, list three attributes that are required to be “receiver of memory”. Identify at least one of these attributes that Jonas possesses and use textual evidence from the novel to support the belief that he has this trait. Be sure to analyze how the attribute will contribute to Jonas’s success as the “receiver”.

3. First Step: Deconstruct Question! On a separate sheet of paper, list three attributes that are required to be “receiver of memory”. Identify at least one of these attributes that Jonas possesses and use textual evidence from the novel to support the belief that he has this trait. Be sure to analyze how the attribute will contribute to Jonas’s success as the “receiver”. Checklist: List three traits needed to be receiver Choose one of the traits listed that Jonas has Give examples from text to prove Jonas has that trait Break down and explain how this trait will help Jonas be successful

4. Second Step: Brainstorm For an ORQ, you do not have much time to respond, so briefly, list ideas for each aspect of the checklist. Do not spend too much time on brainstorming! Checklist: List three traits needed to be receiver Choose one of the traits listed that Jonas has Give examples from text to prove Jonas has that trait Break down and explain how this trait will help Jonas be successful

5. Third Step: Write! Use AEC A = assertion (topic sentence) E = example (from the text) C = commentary (explanation) Remember, an ORQ answer is only about a paragraph in length (5-8 sentences) What does AEC look like in paragraph form? • Sentence 1: Topic sentence (assertion) • Sentence2: Background sentence (introducing topic – no specifics) • Sentence 3: Signal words (according to the text OR the text states, etc) • Sentence4-5: Example from text (quote or paraphrasing – don’t forget citation! Two examples are best!) • Sentence 5-8: Explanation of example and how it proves your point (explain example from text, do not restate it)

6. Reminders: • Use word variety • Avoid first person – I, me, my (and generally second person - you - too) • Avoid indecisive language (I think, I feel, I believe, etc) • Do not use text lingo! (bc, 4, u, &, etc) • Keep the same format as the question (only one questions, only one response) • Commentary should be in-depth and fully explain your textual evidence –not just restate it! • Make sure you answer all parts of the question! Use language from the question in your response • Spell out any number ten or less

7. Model ‘4’ (with paraphrasing examples – class practice! find the AEC strategy!) = language from question Answers first part of question in line Three attributes that Jonas was required to posses in The Giver when he was chosen to be the Receiver of Memory are courage, wisdom, and the ability to see beyond. Jonas possessed courage. This was very important to his career as Receiver. Textual evidence from the book supports this. Two pieces of evidence that support Jonas is courageous and that courage is needed to be the Receiver are when Jonas first asked to learn of pain and suffering and when Jonas continued to do his job as the Receiver, despite the pain, suffering, and other bad feelings he had. These pieces of evidence show that Jonas possess courage because Jonas knew, from what the Chief Elder had said, that there would be pain. Instead of trying to avoid pain for as long as possible, Jonas showed courage by asking about it and feeling it early on in his training sessions. This supports Jonas possess courage because even after suffering through a great deal of physical and emotional pain, and knowing more is to come, he continues with the job. This takes courage to do. These pieces of evidence show that courage contributes to Jonas’ success as the Receiver because they show that it takes courage to ask to experience pain and courage to endure the pain that comes with being the Receiver. Assertion Background Signal words Example 1 Example 2 Commentary explaining examples Answer second part of question, but relate answer to commentary

8. Model ‘4’ (with quoted examples – your turn! find the AEC strategy!) Three attributes needed to be the Receiver of Memory, as stated in Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, are: bravery, intelligence and wisdom. Jonas posses the trait of being brave. There are many examples in the story that show Jonas being very brave. According to the text, Jonas says, “The Chief Elder told me, at the beginning, that the receiving of memory causes terrible pain” (pg. 107). The text also states, “the hands came, and the pain cam with the rough them. Jonas braced himself and entered the memory which was torturing The Giver “ (pg.118). These two quotes clearly prove that Jonas is brave because he has to be brave enough to take on all of the pain he experiences from the memories. This attribute contributes to Jonas’ success as the Receiver because his bravery made him able to go through all of the painful memories without giving up. The elders chose Jonas specifically because they knew he was brave and could withstand the pain, hence, being a successful Receiver of Memory.