The Writing Prompt: Writing about a Quote

1. The Writing Prompt:Writing about a Quote By Ms. Secko

2. Responding to a Quote • Re-read the quote again carefully. • Decide what this quote means. • Decide how you can write about this. (Agree or disagree.) You need a strategy! • George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?” What do you think he meant? Do you agree or disagree?

3. Planning a Response - Introductory Paragraph- ANALYZE - State quote and author Point out this quote means different things to different people. Interpret the quote. (In other words, explain it’s importance.) You can start this sentence with: “In my opinion, however, he quote means…” 4. State Thesis – Make a point! (What will you discuss?)

4. Planning the Introductory Paragraph 1) The intelligent George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?” 2) Of course, this quote means different things to different people. 3) In my opinion, however, the quote reminds us that a simple thought - What would life be like had I finished high school? - can be the inspiration someone needs to do something great. 4) Like many people who began with a simple thought, my mother took this thought and followed through. My mother decided that life would be different if she went back to school and got her diploma.

5. A Sample Response to This Quote:The Introductory Paragraph The intelligent George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?”Of course, this quote means different things to different people. In my opinion, however, the quote reminds us that a simple thought - What would life be like had I finished high school? - can be the inspiration someone needs to do something great. Like many people who began with a simple thought, my mother took this thought and followed through. My mother decided that life would be different if she went back to school and got her diploma.

6. The 1st Body Paragraph: Answering the Thesis Statement(**explain individual connection) How do you connect, individually? (on a personal level?) - Give more detail about Mom.

7. A Sample Response - 1st Body Paragraph After raising her children and working night shifts at the local diner, my mother had a thought: What would life be like had I received my high school diploma? It was this very thought that led my mother to pursue her dream. Within a short time, my mother signed up at the local BOCES facility; she would attend classes for the following six months. She told us how hard this was, and we saw her studying every night. Even though she still made dinner and took care of us, she always had to run off to class or to the library after dinner. Mom told us, “All of my kids will graduate from high school on time!” She wanted us to make better choices than she made when she was younger. Even though the work was hard, Mom finished her program and graduated from high school. An initial simple thought allowed my mother to achieve her lifelong goal.

8. The 2nd Body Paragraph: - Connect Outwardly- Connect to the world! - Mankind -

9. A Sample Response - 2nd Body Paragraph My mother is not the only one who thought of an idea and then pursued it. There areother people, like my mom, whohave changed our world because they dreamed it true. For example, Roberto Clemente, dreamed of being a professional baseball player, so he set out for America and pursued the big leagues. Similarly, Sojourner Truth dreamed she could change people’s hearts with stories of her past, so she traveled the country and made people listen. Lastly, Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of an unprejudiced society, so he set out to create one of the world’s greatest movements. I suppose my mother is amongst good company; there are many people in our world who began with an idea and then pursued it.

10. Planning the Conclusion 1. State (AGAIN) Quote Author’s name 2. Then (AGAIN) Why is the word (quote) important? 3. Make a Call to Action - How can the “reader” take part in the action?

11. Planning the Conclusion Example: George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?” It is agreed, a simple thought can turn into something great. My mother’s dream of a better life led her to go back to school. My mother, however, is not alone; thoughts have inspired many people, such as Clemente, Truth, and King. Honestly, though, anyone can turn a simple thought into something grand. Even a middle school student who begins to think about better food being served in the cafeteria can be the next person who changes the system. So, when the opportunity arises, take the chance, do the unspeakable, take your “thoughts” to a new level.

12. A Sample Response –Conclusion George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?” It is agreed, a simple thought can turn into something great. My mother’s dream of a better life led her to go back to school. My mother, however, is not alone; thoughts have inspired many people, such as Clemente, Truth, and King. Honestly, though, anyone can turn a simple thought into something grand. Even a middle school student who begins to think about better food being served in the cafeteria can be the next person who changes the system. So, when the opportunity arises, take the chance, do the unspeakable, take your “thoughts” to a new level.

13. Putting It All Together The intelligent George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?”Of course, this quote means different things to different people. In my opinion, however, the quote reminds us that a simple thought - What would life be like had I finished high school? - can be the inspiration someone needs to do something great. Like many people who began with a simple thought, my mother took this thought and followed through. My mother decided that life would be different if she went back to school and got her diploma. After raising her children and working night shifts at the local diner, my mother had a though: What would life be like had I received my high school diploma? It was this very thought that led my mother to pursue her dream. Within a short time, my mother signed up the local BOCES facility; she would attend classes for the following six months. She told us how hard this was, and we saw her studying every night. Even though she still made dinner and took care of us, she always had to run off to class or to the library after dinner. Mom told us, “All of my kids will graduate from high school on time!” She wanted us to make better choices than she made when she was younger. Even though the work was hard, Mom finished her program and graduated from high school. An initial simple thought allowed my mother to achieve her lifelong goal. My mother is not the only one who thought of an idea and then pursued it. There are other people, like my mom, who have changed our world because they dreamed it true. For example, Roberto Clemente, dreamed of being a professional baseball player, so he set out for America and pursued the big leagues. Similarly, Sojourner Truth dreamed she could change people’s hearts with stories of her past, so she traveled the country and made people listen. Lastly, Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of an unprejudiced society, so he set out to create one of the world’s greatest movements. I suppose my mother is amongst good company; there are many people in our world who began with an idea and then pursued it. George Eliot once said, “Isn’t a noble thought a type of inspiration?” It is agreed, a simple thought can turn into something great. My mother’s dream of a better life led her to go back to school. My mother, however, is not alone; thoughts have inspired many people, such as Clemente, Truth, and King. Honestly, though, anyone can turn a simple thought into something grand. Even a middle school student who begins to think about better food being served in the cafeteria can be the next person who changes the system. So, when the opportunity arises, take the chance, do the unspeakable, take your “thoughts” to a new level. .

14. Your Next Task: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller Helen Keller believed that the recipe for success includes a personal struggle that leads to a greater understanding of the world and oneself.  If you were asked to create a recipe for success, what traits and experiences would you say are the most important to include?   In a detailed essay, describe your recipe for success and discuss the traits and experiences that would be included in the ingredients.