English 9Mr. Rinka - Lesson #50

Writing an Essay – Steps 1 & 2

Arthur Costa’s Model of Intellectual Functioning in Three

Levels - Level #1

The Call of the Wild

The Writing Process

Whether writing a paragraph, essay, short story, novel or research paper, you should use the same 6 Step Writing Process.

Assignment

In a 5 paragraph essay explain three lessons you learned from reading The Call of the Wild. Use the story to make your points.

The Writing Process

Step #1 = PrewriteStep #2 = Rough DraftStep #3 = Reread & ShareStep #4 = ReviseStep #5 = EditStep #6 = Final Draft

Choosing a Topic

Before writing you must have a Topic. It may be assigned or you may have to choose something.

Brainstorm for ideas that fit the assignment’s parameters and one that excites you.

Step #1 = Prewrite

Use Brainstorming for developing your topic.

Research (read, watch, observe)

Think about all possible ideas (nothing is too extreme)

Talk and bounce ideas off of others.

Step #1 = Prewrite (with topic)

ListMake a list of all possible ideas (nothing is too extreme)Choose the best ideas that fit your purpose and topic.Jot down supporting detailsIndicate order of presentation

Brainstorm for ideas

Things I learned from reading The Call of the Wild.The strong survive.The weak fall by the wayside.Life demands we adjust to circumstances.We have inner urges that need to be respected.Right and wrong vary with circumstances.Self control is most important for success.

Brainstorm for ideas

Things I learned from reading The Call of the Wild.Leadership demands special qualities.Others will have important influences on our life.We are linked to our past.Experience is a very good teacher.What does not kill me will only make me stronger.Change is the only constant in life.

Brainstorm for ideas

Things I learned from reading The Call of the Wild.The strong survive.The weak fall by the wayside.Life demands we adjust to circumstances.We have inner urges that need to be respected.Right and wrong vary with circumstances.Self control is most important for success.

Brainstorm for ideas

Things I learned from reading The Call of the Wild.Leadership demands special qualities.Others will have important influences on our life.We are linked to our past.Experience is a very good teacher.What does not kill me will only make me stronger.Change is the only constant in life.

Step #1 = Prewrite

Brainstorm for ideas & then:

ListOutlineMapGraphic Organizer

Graphic Organizer

Introductory Paragraph – Thesis Statement

Point #1

Body Paragraph #1

Body Paragraph #2

Body Paragraph #3

Point #2

Point #3

Point #1

Point #2

Point #3

Point #1

Point #2

Point #3

Concluding Paragraph – Restating the Thesis Statement

Buck’s journey

life changing adjustment to life

Leadership qualities

Buck’s masters

Buck’s peers

Buck a sled dog

Buck up North

Buck in wild

Inner drive

Courage

Cunning

Buck has to learn that life changes, he must adjust to changes, and that leadership demands special qualities.

I learned that life is constantly changing, it demands we adjust, and leadership demands special qualities.

Step #2 = Rough Draft

Keep your prewrite in mind.

Write your ideas down on paper in sentence and paragraph format.

Do not worry about spelling or grammar.

Better more than less.

The 5 Paragraph Essay

Introductory Paragraph1st Body Paragraph2nd Body Paragraph3rd Body ParagraphConcluding Paragraph

Introductory Paragraph

For your rough draft you only need the Thesis Statement. We’ll work on the introductory paragraph during the revision.

From reading The Call of the Wolf I learned that life is constantly changing, it demands we adjust, and leadership demands special qualities.

The ParagraphA Paragraph is made up of three parts:

The Topic Sentence

Supporting Details

Closing Sentence

Buck’s journey

life changing

Buck’s masters

Buck’s peers

Buck has to learn that life changes, he must adjust to changes, and that leadership demands special qualities.

I learned that life is constantly changing, it demands we adjust, and leadership demands special qualities.

1st Body ParagraphAs Buck learned life is ever-changing. From a comfortable California home to the harsh wilds of Alaska, Buck traveled through an ever changing landscape that brought him a fast changing way of life. This change was most evident when in first stepped out into the cold, cruel climate of the Northland after living in the warmth of the California sun. Buck also had a seemingly endless change of masters who ruled over him. From the professional postal carriers, to the good natured Scotsman, to the incompetent Hal and Charles and ending with the loving John Thornton, Buck had to submit to this constant parade of men who held control over him. In addition, life brought Buck an incredible variety of companions, some friendly, some cruel and some indifferent. Curly, the first dog Buck encountered died quickly from the harsh life while Spitz brought Buck to the brink of his own death. Continually throughout the story Buck encountered change and these changes demanded adjustments.

adjustment to life

Buck a sled dog

Buck up North

Buck in wild

Buck has to learn that life changes, he must adjust to changes, and that leadership demands special qualities.

I learned that life is constantly changing, it demands we adjust, and leadership demands special qualities.

2nd Body ParagraphIn order to survive Buck had to adjust to all the changes he faced. The challenges of being a sled dog were all new to buck. He had to learn the rules of trail and trace. The skills required to pull a sled in coordination with all the other dogs while enduring long days and the harsh elements demanded that Buck constantly stay alert and learn. The relentless climate posed an incredible obstacle to the spoiled buck. When refused entrance into the master’s tent, buck learned early how to survive the long, freezing nights by building a snow cave. Food was most important for maintaining energy and strength in the cold, and buck realized he needed to eat fast and fight for what he wanted. Even as a seasoned sled dog, buck continued to adjust when he encountered the wolves and the life he dreamed of. Never was this adjustment more evident than when he slew a moose. All the adjustments Buck made to his life in the North still did not qualify him for leadership.

Leadership qualities

Inner drive

Courage

Cunning

Buck has to learn that life changes, he must adjust to changes, and that leadership demands special qualities.

I learned that life is constantly changing, it demands we adjust, and leadership demands special qualities.

3rd Body ParagraphIt was control that Buck sought, and only a few have the qualities it takes to lead. The desire to lead is an inner force that only a few possess. Spitz certainly had it while Sol-leks was content to work hard and follow those in command. Buck had that inner need as perrault notice when he said he was one in a thousand. Leadership demands a great deal of courage. To command others means one has to stand above all and assert power when necessary. Buck ultimately showed the courage it takes in not only defeating Spitz, but demanding his rightful place as leader when Perrault wanted to give control to Sol-leks. Leadership does not come easily, and those who seek it must be cunning. Buck learned early not only how to steal food, but he also cleverly undermined Spitz’s authority by siding with the dogs Spitz was trying to discipline. Some say a leader is born and not made, Buck was a born leader who had to make himself into the leader of sled dogs and wolves.

Concluding Paragraph

Like the introductory paragraph, the concluding paragraph will be developed in the revised draft. All we need is a restatement of the thesis statement.

The Call of the Wild taught me that life changes, we must adjust to changes, and that leadership demands special qualities.

Assignment

Using the same essay assignment, (1)brainstorm your own ideas for three things you learned from The Call of the Wild. Then (2)create a graphic organizer and (3)write a rough draft.

The Call of the Wild

ByJack London http://london.sonoma.edu/

Arthur Costa’s Model of Intellectual Functioning in Three

LevelsLevel #1- Information

Level #2 – Processing

Level #3 - Application

Level #1 - Information

These terms are found in Level #1 Questions:

Define DescribeIdentify ListName ObserveRecite Scan

Level #2 - Processing

These terms are found in Level #2 Questions:

Analyze InferCompare SequenceContrast SynthesizeGroup

Level #3 - Application

These terms are found in Level #3 Questions:

Apply JudgeEvaluate PredictHypothesize SpeculateImagine

Level #1 - Information

These terms are found in Level #1 Questions:

Define DescribeIdentify ListName ObserveRecite Scan

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

What is the definition for “wilderness?”A large wild tract of land covered with dense vegetation or forests. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wilderness

What is the name of Buck’s archrival?Spitz

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

Describe Buck’s life in California.Buck lived in comfort and security in California. He was spoiled and favored.

What changes occur in the setting from Chapter 1 to Chapter 2?The story moves from warm and sunny California to the cold, harsh Northland.

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

Identify the climax in The Call of the Wild.John saves Buck’s life.

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

Recite the first sentence that opens The Call of the Wild.Buck did not read the newspapers, or he would have known that trouble was brewing, not alone for himself, but for every tidewater dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair, from Puget Sound to San Diego.

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

List the masters that Buck had.Judge MillerPerrault & FrancoisThe ScotsmanHal and CharlesJohn Thornton

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

Scan Chapter 1 for words you do not know. demesne (domain)populous (many people)imperiously (like a king)sated (filled up)insular (protected)progeny (offspring)

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

deft (skilled)futilely (unsuccessfully)vilely (rudely)hydrophobia (rabies)impending (soon to happen)calamity (disaster)surcharged (charged over normal price)slaver (slobber)

Level #1 Questions for The Call of the Wild

primitive (uncivilized; raw)dormant (hidden; sleeping)cunning (wisdom; experienced)

The Call of the Wild Quiz

The classic Level #1 questions appear on reading quizzes.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/call/quiz.html

Assignment

Create a 10 question reading quiz on The Call of the Wild. Make all the questions level 1 questions and provide an answer key for your questions. Share your quizzes with others.

Level #1 - Information

These terms are found in Level #1 Questions:

Define DescribeIdentify ListName ObserveRecite Scan

Assignment

In a 5 paragraph essay explain three lessons you learned from reading The Call of the Wild. Use the story to make your points.

The Writing Process

Step #1 = PrewriteStep #2 = Rough DraftStep #3 = Reread & ShareStep #4 = ReviseStep #5 = EditStep #6 = Final Draft

Assignment

Using the same essay assignment, (1)brainstorm your own ideas for three things you learned from The Call of the Wild. Then (2)create a graphic organizer and (3)write a rough draft.