Understanding Theme and the Process

How to get to the theme:
1) Brainstorm the main idea of the novel.
2) What question does the author ask us to think about these ideas?
3) Think big picture and try to think of how the play answers the question.

Example:
1) prejudices
2) How do prejudices change an individuals' images?
3) Prejudices can cause a segregated individual to loose social status in a society.

What is a theme?
-big picture (universal)
-life lessons
-debatable
-messages
-prevalent throughout the entire book
-a statement (not an individual word, should read like a complete sentence when taken out of the thesis)

Annotations

What characterizes effective annotation?
-Shows how YOU think, not just what's happening
-Specific, elaborate, should be detailed
-Shows significance
-Does not capture that which will not contribute to understanding or analysis (i.e. reaction, questions)
-Finding the meaning of something you think may be important but do not understand (for example translating different languages)
-Keeps out the reactions and opinions
-Is well-organized, which may even include something such as color-coding
-Text to text connections should be included because they help to predict where the story/character may be going
-Is specific to the purpose of reading and digs deep into a couple concepts, don't try to focus on every idea possible.

August 31, 2010: culture, part deux

Culture:            

-Age
-Gender
-Geography
-Heritage
-Education Level
-The way we speak
-The social circles we inhabit

-I do agree that culture can play a key role in the way someone perceives the world and shaping their minds. Nowadays modern culture plays a large part in a persons life. However, I find it difficult to believe that one movie can change an entire person's point of view on a topic, no matter how powerful the movie is.

-Killing someone is not worth remaining loyal to your spouse. I highly doubt that Sarah's testimony is true. The seed idea of killing must be previously implanted in her brain for her to remain stout throughout the slaughterings.

-I highly doubt that one movie can sway an entire person's sense of morals.

-I don't understand the point about how rules of  parents have anything to do with doing drugs and murdering people. I don't understand how killing can have such an impact from a small, insignificant piece of culture.

-I highly doubt that celebrities can be the main cause of drugs in culture. There are more things in life other than society.

-Events of life can influence an individuals life. One person may not be influenced by the events because of their positive choices. However, not everyone can do that. Some people are not strong enough to be able to handle their events and as such their life is greatly affected by it.

Law and Order part two: Who's to blame?

After discussing the John Grisham article "Unnatural Killers", we discussed the idea of culture and blame, of who holds responsibility--the individual or the culture he or she inhabits.  After reaching our "verdict" today, I asked you to read Stone's response "Memo to John Grisham..."

In a thoughtful, well-crafted and proofread response, capture how Stone's response has helped your thinking evolve.  How does it change your thinking?  Reinforce it?  Point to particular evidence in Stone's article to defend your thinking.

Scribe post 8/26: Lead-outs

lead outs:

• describes thinking of narrator 
• doesn't just explain quote but goes back to thesis
• multiple sentence (2-3)

Lead outs have essentially 2 purposes

1. To explain WHY you chose the quote. WHY is it interesting? Important? significant?
2. To explain how it connects with your thesis and topic sentences. HOW does it further your argument.

Point 1 furthered:
1. Diction

• words that seem out of place
• Interesting verb choices
• words that are particularly evocative

2. Symbols

• Words/Ideas that have a secondary, deeper meaning.

3. Syntax

• How did the author structure his/her sentence? how does it differ from other sentences in the piece

Point 2 furthered:
Thesis connect samples:

This quote shows that....
This passage illustrates that...
This quote demonstrates that...
This passage illuminates...

Scribe post: August 24th Lead-ins

Lead-ins:

Examples (good lead-ins):
-During the trial, Hale leads Abby to incriminate Tituba: "Did you..."
-Hale tempts Abby to incriminate Tituba in court, inquiring "Did you..."
 
Non-examples (bad lead-ins):
-At the beginning of the book, Hale says, "Did you..."
-On page 40, Hale shows his increasingly manipulative nature. He also shows his desire for control. "Did you..."

What makes an effective lead-in?
-strong vocabulary
-gets to the point quickly
-informative
-leaving out the un-wanted details ("On page __ ", "At the beginning", etc."
-all in one sentence
-no analysis
-uses either a comma or a colon before the quote
-states who is talking and who they are talking to (if it is important to include)

Should answer the questions "who" and "what" about the quote.

Scribe post: 8/23

Thesis Day Two:

1.   Name or allude to the author and or title

2.   State your theme- should be universal and debatable

a.   Someone could disagree

b.   Should be arguable

3.   Project your focus

a.   A theme, an idea or a concept

EX: Bradbury suggests redemption from past mistakes is possible if people examine their lives honestly and forge relationships that help them change.

·      Theme: redemption from past mistakes is possible

   Can one argue the other side of this assertion?

  Some guilt always remains

·      Paragraph one

   If people honestly admit their mistakes to themselves and others, they can begin to find forgiveness

·      Paragraph two

   When people develop healthy relationships with others, they can begin to change their behavior and become good again.