Writing About Literature Secret for Two
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Writing About Literature “A Secret for Two” You have just written a paragraph in which you stated your opinion on a topic and supported your opinion with three supports and examples. Now we will write a similar paragraph. The structure (or map) of the paragraph will be very similar to the opinion paragraph you just wrote. In this assignment, instead of writing about a topic like school uniforms or affection in school, you will write about the theme, or message, of the short story “A Secret for Two.” Step #1: Write your topic sentence. In “A Secret for Two,” by Quentin Reynolds, the relationship between Pierre and Joseph reveals [shows] the theme of friendship and love. Step#2: Brainstorming: On any piece of paper, list, in note form, the three ideas that support the theme. You’ll have to search through the story for these. These are not direct quotes. Put these ideas in your own words; don’t just copy something from the story. Next to each idea, write a quote from the story to support the idea. Idea Direct Quotation Citation Pierre gave his horse a name. “I will name him after St. Joseph, who also was a gentle and beautiful spirit” [No period at the end of the quote] (Reynolds, 1). (Author’s last name, page # of quote). period Step #3: Ranking your supports: Number your supports in the order you will write them in your paragraph, from least important to most important. (Usually, when you write about literature, your first support will come from the earlier part of the story and your last support will come near the end of the story.) Step #4: First support sentence: Write your least important support in a complete sentence. (Remember to use a transitional expression…see the back of your outline sheet.)
Transcript of Writing About Literature Secret for Two
Writing About Literature“A Secret for Two”
You have just written a paragraph in which you stated your opinion on a topic and supported your opinion with three supports and examples. Now we will write a similar paragraph. The structure (or map) of the paragraph will be very similar to the opinion paragraph you just wrote. In this assignment, instead of writing about a topic like school uniforms or affection in school, you will write about the theme, or message, of the short story “A Secret for Two.”
Step #1: Write your topic sentence. In “A Secret for Two,” by Quentin Reynolds, the relationship between Pierre and Joseph reveals [shows] the theme of friendship and love.
Step#2: Brainstorming: On any piece of paper, list, in note form, the three ideas that support the theme. You’ll have to search through the story for these. These are not direct quotes. Put these ideas in your own words; don’t just copy something from the story. Next to each idea, write a quote from the story to support the idea.
Idea Direct Quotation CitationPierre gave his horse a name.
“I will name him after St. Joseph, who also was a gentle and beautiful spirit” [No period at the end of the quote]
(Reynolds, 1).(Author’s last name, page # of quote). period
Step #3: Ranking your supports: Number your supports in the order you will write them in your paragraph, from least important to most important. (Usually, when you write about literature, your first support will come from the earlier part of the story and your last support will come near the end of the story.)
Step #4: First support sentence: Write your least important support in a complete sentence. (Remember to use a transitional expression…see the back of your outline sheet.)
Step #5: Detail sentences: The most important part of your detail sentences is the direct quote. It’s helpful to introduce your quote by giving the circumstances in the story that lead to the quote.
Example: It was obvious to Pierre, when he met the horse, that the horse needed a special name to fit his gentle personality. Pierre says, “I will name him after St. Joseph, who also was a gentle and beautiful spirit” (Reynolds, 1). [Note where the comma and period belong!]
Continue steps #4 & #5 for your next two ideas. Remember to save your most convincing idea for last.
Step #6: Concluding sentence: Look back at your topic sentence. You want to say the same idea but in different words.
Example: Pierre and Joseph’s relationship is a perfect illustration [example] of the theme of friendship and love.
