1. “The Door” Objective: To analyze the message of a text and compose an essay by taking position and defending the position with textual evidence and specific examples outside the text

2. Quickwrite • What do you know about scientist and their use of rats in mazes? What do you know about experiments with classical conditioning? • "Someone will say what is lost can never be saved. Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage."~BillyCorgan, 1967-Present • What does the author mean by these lyrics? Use examples to prove your claim.

3. Writing Prompt • In a well-organized essay, take a position on the message about life as conveyed through the analogy of a rat in a maze in the short story “The Door” by E.B. White. Support your argument with appropriate evidence and examples from the text, your personal experiences, news events, pop culture, etc… • (Think about the examples from your GOPHERS handout.)

4. Read and Respond • Take notes as you read with ideas that you agree with or disagree with • Make connections to the text by saying what the analogy is similar to • Write your response using textual support and specific examples from outside the text