Critical Reading

Is this source useful?

Purpose

• Why did the author write this article?
• Who is the intended audience?
• What is the underlying main idea or truth to this information?
• What is the author's point of view? (Pro, Con, Neutral) 
• How do you know?
• How does they type of source shape or limit the information (criteria of layout and design)?

Authority

• INTERNAL (author)
• What are the author's credentials or qualifications to write on this topic?
• AKA contributor, same as the author
• Is the author an expert in this area. or does he/she quote experts?
• Was the author a participant or an observer?
• EXTERNAL (publisher)
• Is the publication reliable and reputable?
• Do you have full publication data?
• Is the information current? Does the information need to be current for this topic?
• Is the article intended to be factual (objective) or editorial (subjective)?

Logic

• Can you identify any techniques of propaganda in the author's logic or defense?
• How has the author organized the information? Does the information flow in a logical order?
• Is the reasoning behind the information logical (expected) and valid (supported by fact)?
• What, if any, irrelevant (doesn't belong) material or arguments are presented?

Bias

• Is the author biased or objective?
• What other points of view may exist on this topic but have not been discussed? (card-stacking)
• What, if any, emotionally loaded language (connotations) does the author use?
• Do the author's ideas and conclusions relate to your own experiences? (employ common sense)
• Does the author's conclusion align with any previous reading you have done on this topic? (triangulation)

Evidence

• Are the statements int his source mostly fact (objective), opinion (subjective) or a combination of both? Are there enough objective details to consider this source useful?
• Is the evident documented or undocumented? Should you consider it credible?
• Has the author provided necessary background material on the topic?
• If the answer above is "no," would the needed information be difficult to find?
• The RET test?
• Is the evidence the RIGHT kind of evidence?
• Is ENOUGH evidence given?
• Is the evidence TRUE?
• FIRES
• Facts
• Incidents
• Reasons
• Examples/Evidence
• Statistics

Gain

• What, if any, are the author's affiliations or associations?
• What does the author gain?
• What other factors may have influenced the author's writing?

Layout & Design

Is this source worth my time?

Be Skeptical

• Publishers use layout and design to highlight information, create tone, engage the reader, and persuade the reader.
• How the information is presented to you directly affects how you receive it.

Title

• look for emotionally loaded language
• connotations 
• the emotional definition of the word

Author/Publisher

• Who is responsible for this information
• editorials are all opinions
• Look for what kind of information it is
• Keep in mind who the source is
• BE CAREFUL

Pictures

• worth a thousand words
• It's sad and he's poor and has the Holy Bible
• What are they leaving out on purpose
• Why this picture?
• What can't we see?

Pulled Quotes/Captions

• Usually pulled up, larger font, different color
• sometimes said by famous people
• Good information in pulled writing

Charts, Graphs, Info-graphics

• Use the information in the info graphics
• should be easy to read
• All the information needs to be relevant

Space on the Page

• Place dominant element first
• What do you see first and why did they make that the most dominant

Monroe Sequence

5 Steps to Persuasion

Step 1.

• Attention (1-2 ¶)
• Gain the interest of the audience
• Do not assume you have the audience's attention "just because"
• Similar to traditional introduction
• interesting beginning, background info, position
• Establish credibility and respect
• Audience reaction, "This is interesting!"

Step 2.

• Need (3-4 ¶)
• Develop or describe the problem
• SHOW...
• how the problem came to exist 
• how the problem continuer to get worse
• how it's not going away by itself
• Audience reaction, "I need to hear this!"

Step 3.

• Satisfaction (2-3 ¶)
• "logical involvement"
• Offer 1-2 possible solutions to the problem that are NOT the best solution
• make sure to defend why it won't work
• Offer the BEST solution to the problem
• make sure to defend why it will work
• Audience reaction, "That will work!"

Step 4. 

• Visualization (3-4 ¶)
• "emotional involvement"
• Develop within the audience an IMAGE of their choices
• What will result if the problem goes UNsolved?
• What will result when the problem IS solved?
• COUNTERPOINT the opposition (be respectful!)
• Audience reaction, "I want to help!"

Step 5. 

• Action (1-2 ¶)
• Similar to traditional conclusion, plus...
• move the audience to DO something
• Explain HOW to do the solution posed in step 3
• be clear, specific, and realistic; do not assume anything

Research Process

What is "research"?

• Research is the disciplined process of investigating and seeking facts that will lead one to discover the truth about something. 
• A research paper is simply the formal presentation of the discovered facts along with the evidence needed to defend the idea.

Step 1. 

• Topic/Stand
• Make sure you choose something you like
• Choose a topic you feel strongly about (passion works well in persuasion)
• The topic does NOT have to be a controversy; it just needs to be persuasive.

Step 2.

• Information
• Where do I get the information
• Primary Information 
• from the people (surveys, questionnaires, interviews)
• Secondary Information
• from the library (databases, books, magazines, newspapers)
• What do I do with the information?
• is it worth my time? (layout & design)
• is it useful? (critical reading)
• Take notes
• Practice triangulation (reliability)∆

Step 3. 

• Application
• Analyze the information;
• Break it down; look at it closely; continue to ask questions, redirect research, collect new information.
• Evaluate the information;
• Mix and match pieces of the info form a variety of sources; start to formulate your argument/stand

Step 4. 

• New Understanding
• Create new understanding
• Building new ideas; combine pieces of information into well-thought-out argument
• You are now the expert!

Nonfiction

Main Idea & Details

• The central or most important point a writer tries to make in a paragraph or passage.
• Bits of information that support the main idea
• Facts (Objective Details)
• Facts are statements that can be proven true or false
• Facts tell what actually happened
• Facts tell what is happening now
• Facts state something that can be easily observed or verified
• You can also verify by;
• Our senses
• Comparing them to the calendar or a clock
• Research it 
• Opinions (Subjective Details)
• Opinions are statements that can't be proven true or false because they "DEPEND"
• It expresses a person's thoughts, beliefs, feelings or estimates.
• Express worth or value
• Tell what should or should not be thought or done.
• Based on what seems true or probable

Why does it matter?

• When would be an appropriate time to use facts in a research paper?
• Evidence to support our opinion
• When would be an appropriate time to use opinions in a research paper?
• To state your position, weather you're for it or against it

4 Types of Nonfiction

1. Expository

• To explain or inform the reader about the topic; remains non biased and neutral
• Instructions, reports, textbooks, etc.

    2.  Persuasive

• To convince the reader to think, feel, or act a certain way; takes a position on a topic and argues for or against it
• Newspaper editorial, political speech, request for action/money, etc.

   3. Descriptive

• To recreate a place, event, or person by appealing to the senses and/or emotions; uses sensory language, rich details, and figurative language
• travel journal. autobiography, personal experience, etc.

   4.  Narrative

• To relate events and tell what happened in chronological order; tells a true story about a person, event, or place.
• historical essay, "play by play" account of game, testimony.

William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar 

by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's life
* Baptized April 26, 1564 (Strattford-on-Avon)
* Died April 23, 1616 (Age 52)
* Dad- John, Mom- Mary, One of Eight Siblings
* Married Anne Hathaway (he was 18, she was 26)
* Three children: Susanna (1583) and twins Judith and Hamnet (1585)
* 1585 to 1592 are not on record
* In 1592 William found work as a Common Player
~~~~~~~~> an actor
* He was part of the Lord Chamberlin's Men until he retired in 1612 (Age 48)
* Credits: 38 plays, 154 sonnets
* Julius Caesar was written in 1599 (Age 35)

The Globe Theater
* Its called the "Wooden O"
* Built by Burbage in 1599 across the Thames river from its original site
* Held up to 3,000 theatergoers
* Burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII

The Actors
* By law, all actors were male, even the female roles
* Violation of this law was considered treason and could be punishable by death

Verse Drama
* A play written in Poetry
* Verse Drama: 
a play in which the dialogue consists almost entirely of poetry
* Blank Verse:
Unrhymed poetry
* Iambic Pentameter:
Five feet of unstressed/ stressed syllables (10 syllables per line)
* Note:
read verse drama just as you would read a regular paragraph (no punctuation, keep going)

Metrical Feet
iamb u/ "believe"
trochee /u "mercy"
spondee // "snow storm"

anapest   u u /  "understand"

dactyl     / u u  "desperate"

Number of Feet

2 = diameter

3 = triameter

4 = tetrameter

5 = pentameter

6 = hexameter

7 = septameter

8 = octameter

Shakespeare's language
• Unfamiliar Vocabulary
• Grammatical Forms
• Grammatical Structure
• Unusual Word Order
• Puns (word play)
• Allusion

Archaic Language
• hence=here; whence=where; thence=there
• knave=servant
• prithee=pray thee or beg thee (please)
• thee, thou, thine, thy=you
• soothsayer=truth teller
• Use your textbook to help you

The TRAGEDY of Julius Caesar

*Tragedy= a work in which a series of actions leads to the disastrous downfall of the mail character, or tragic hero

*Qualities of a Tragic Hero:
~~~ Possesses importance or high rank
~~~ Exhibita extraordinary talents
~~~ Displays a tragic flaw-- an error in judgement or defect in character thank leads to downfall
~~~ Faces downfall with courage and dignity

Element of Drama

* Soliloquy = a long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal his or her private thoughts or intentions
* Aside = a character's quiet remark to the audience or another character that no on e else on stage is supposed to hear
* Rhetorical Devices = persuasion; use of language and sound to appeal to the audience's emotions
       ~ Repetition of words and sounds
       ~ Parallelism = repeated grammatical structures
       ~ Rhetorical Question = questions requiring no real answer
* Irony = a contrast between expectation and reality
     ~ Dramatic Irony = when the audience knows what going to happen but the characters don't
           - Purpose is to create suspense or tension in mind of the reader or audience

Themes of the play

* Chaos results when the prescribed social order is broken.
* The best intentions of good, noble men can lead to tragedy.
* Language is a powerful weapon; in the hands of a skilled person, it can be used to manipulate others.
* Violence and bloodshed can never have morally good results.
* Orderliness and a stable rule, even though dictatorial, are preferable to social chaos.

Elements of Novel: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm
by George Orwell


Criteria of Short Story

* 10-40 pages
* single important conflict
* few characters
~~~one protagonists/antagonists
* a single important theme
* short span of time


Criteria of Novel

* 100+ pages
* Several important conflicts
* Many characters
* Several developed themes
* Time span: days to years

NOVELA
*40-100 pages
~~~~~Magic Tree House

Element #1: Beast Fable

*A brief and humorous story in which animals speak and act like humans.
*Purpose is to expose human failure(s)

Element #2: Allegory

*Each character or event directly represents a real person or event.
*Russian Revolution of 1917
*Purpose is to convey some moral message

Element #3: Satire

*Writing which uses ridicule to bring about social reform
*Makes specific people and events seem foolish
*Seeks out weaknesses, flaws, and wrong-doings to expose them

Review:

*Verbal irony:
~~~~~When a character says one thing but means the opposite.
*Situational irony:
~~~~~When the situation is not just surprising, it's the opposite of what the audience expects.
*Dramatic Irony:
~~~~~When the reader knows what's in store for a character, but (s)he does not.

Element #4: Propaganda

*The spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping OR hurting an institution, cause, or person.
*Ideas, facts or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause OR to damage an opposing cause.

Analyzing a Theme

Intro; Beginning

*Interesting beginning; questions/ say imagine (without the word you), facts/statistics, line from the story.

*Name the story

*Give credit to the author, use their full name

*Give a BRIEF summary of the story( no more then 2 sentences)

*Thesis statement; state the theme of the story

Body; Middle

*Each middle sentence will explain a different stage in the development of the theme.

*The last middle sentence focuses on decisions that caused the main character to change.

~~~ con-fey or explain the message

*Uses word-for-word examples from the story to support the explanation 

Conclusion; Ending

** Analyzing the theme or message of the story

~~~~~~ show how the character(s) change

~~~~~~ predict how the theme might affect the character in the future

~~~~~~ restate the theme; state how the theme is a basic truth or message about life (for the reader)

Analyze

To break down a topic into smaller parts

To determine how the parts relate to one another

Writing Guidelines

SUBJECT: A short story

FORM: Multi-paragraph essay

PURPOSE: To analyze theme

AUDIENCE Classmates, parents, and teachers

Theme Review

GENERATING

Consider the title

How has the character changed (conflicts?)

Any symbols?

What is the author trying to reveal about human life/nature/behavior

WRITING

Start by addressing who the message is intended for(general group)

What is the message

Make sure to address to what extent or to what result (why?)

Not all-inclusive (all,every,none,etc)

The BIG Picture

Your essay starts with an introduction and thesis statements that connects the theme to a main character in the story

In the middle paragraph, you show how the theme develops through the plot, conflicts,and actions of the characters

Then ending is your final chance to comment on and explore the theme

Prewriting

Choose a story you know and enjoy

Be sure you have a clear understanding of the plot, conflicts and characters

You will new expected to trace the development of the theme through the main characters thoughts,

feelings, and actions

Sequencing

Sequencing

~Putting things in order~

*The order in which things happen.
~ Transitions key words:
----->first, next, after, and then.
~Also look for... words, phrases, or dates that tell when something is happening

Practice
1. Last week Jorge read the article in the news paper,
2. Then he got the assignment,
3. He scanned the internet for interesting people,
4. He clicked on the link,
5. He reads the article and finds the defendant not guilty.
6. The lead defense attorneys name is Jorge Vargas.

Irony

Irony
* A contrast between expectation and reality.

Verbal Irony
* When a person says one thing but means the opposite; the simplest type.
~sarcasm: the use of words in a particularly harsh and cruel way; intended to wound or bite in a harmful way.

Situational Irony
* Describes an occurrence that is not just surprising, its the opposite of what the reader expected.
~ rich man turns into a beggar
~ girl dreading party meets future husband

Dramatic Irony
* When the reader knows what is in store for a character, but the character does not know.
~ Romeo and Juliet
~ corny horror flicks

The Ironic world of Fiction
* Ironic world = where humans, however ambitious and fortunate, have no control over an uncaring destiny.
* Romantic World = a world in which the characters' dreams and quests come true without effort.

Satire
* Any writing that use ridicule to bring about social reform; exaggeration of character's faults so much that the reader has to laugh at them.
~political cartoons (caricatures)
~Animal Farm

Making Predictions

Making Predictions
First you must make a inference,
make a prediction second.

Predicting = trying to figure out what will happen next.

Combine selection clues plus your own knowledge and experience to make a reasonable guess.

Textual evidence + knowledge & experience = reasonable guess

Practice

Clenched fists + angry & volitile = Jon might fight Mike

Smiling & laughing with Mike + Flirting or betrayal = Jon might breakup w/ Jenny

He had to get outside + Frustration & fresh air = Jon needs to blow off steam

Symbol

Symbol
Literary Symbol
* an object, setting, event, animal, or person that functions as itself and stands for something greater (abstract) = "represents"
~First its function
~Then what it stands for or represent

Public Symbol
*A figure that is almost immediately recognized in society
~what it represents rather than what its function is.

-marriage
-jesus
-america and freedom

Why do we use symbols?
* a part of our nature
*express and suggest a range of meanings
*speak to emotions and imagination

Is it a symbol?
* Symbols are often visual
* Symbols are given a lot of emphasis
* Symbols use figurative language.

Inference

Inference:
          Reading between the lines

Making Inferences:

• Trying to guess what is going on
• Its not possible for authors to include every detail
• Nor do we want them too
• Authors hint at the details
• Writers purposely choose to hint at details rather then state them
• It can add reading or suspense 
• Inference is a logical guess based on clues in the text based on our knowledge and common sense. 
• Textual evidence + knowledge & common sense = Logical guess

Practice:

• Smiled, no computers, no apts. + computers mean work = going on vacation
• Well-used passport + passport needed to travel = Travels a lot
• Passport, international terminal + International means out of country = leaving the country.

Theme

Theme:

Some idea or insight about human life, human nature and human behavior that gives meaning to the story

Theme points:
Theme can reveal the author’s view of life, how the world works or fails to work.
A story’s theme is its roots; they are unseen and unstated but vital.
The reader doesn’t have to agree with the theme, just try to understand it.
Theme is not plot it is an idea about human nature. It may help the reader understand some “truth” that he/she never thought about before.

Tips for Generating Theme

Make a list of possible subjects (issues, conflicts, topics) illustrated in the story.
Think about how the protagonist has changed during the course of the story.
Consider the title.
Think, “what is the author trying to reveal to me about the human life/nature/behavior?”

Tips for Writing Theme

The theme should be at least one complete sentence
stay away from using idioms and cliches
It must be expressed as a generalization— no character names or reference to plot!
Watch out for using “every,” “none” or “all”
No “I”, “you’s”, or “don’t”s.

Setting

      Setting- An indication of when(time) and where(place) the action is set.


Time/When

• Past, present, further
• Day, month, year
• Decade, century, era
• Seasons (weather)
• Morning, afternoon, night (sequencing clues)
• Clothing, speech, artifacts

Place/Where

• City, state, country
• Planet, world, universe(sci-fi)
• Landmarks, enviroment
• Building, room, car, house
• Specific address
• Direction (n,s,e,w)

Atmosphere

• The mood of feeling we get from the description of the setting
• Harsh and gloomy
• Gloomy to cheerful
• Beautiful to ugly

Verisimilitude

• A portrayal of truth or believability in literature; consistency
• Would Romeo use an iPod
• Would Odysseus read a book
• Does the setting seem possible

Setting and Imagination

• Readers fill in the details based on your own experience
• Good setting allows the reader to travel without leaving

Setting and Character

• Setting reveals character through affecting the environment
• Setting may be portrayed as the antagonist (person vs. nature)

Cause & Effect

A cause is an action or event that makes something happen.

An effect is what happens because of certain action or event.

Key Words

• Signal Words: because, since, as a result
• Other wise.. implied
• We have to figure it out

Graphic Organizers

Cause--------> Effect

• One cause can have multiple effects
• Multiple causes can cause an effect

Practice

Cause___________________Effect

Pam Stole the ball  ------> Marnie Cheered

Girl Twisted Ankle ------> Helped off the field

                                Team play short-handed   

                                                  Pam asked Marnie to play   

Pam was disappointed ------> Marnie decided to play

Marnie had fun -----> Marnie asked to join the team

Point of View

Point of View

• The vantage point from which a write tells a story

Three Points

• Third Person Omniscient
• All-knowing 
• Actions, thoughts
• Narrator is removed from the story.
• First Person
• The "I" character
• Tells and participates
• the reader can see, hear, and know what they think
• May not be reliable or honest
• Draws reader directly into story
• We don't get to know other characters well
• Third Person Limited
• Story is told by outside observer
• Views the action from only one character; "shadow"
• Third person pronouns; he, she, his, her;
• Only use "I" in dialogue

Determining a Story's Point of View

1. Select a portion of the story that is not dialogue.
2. Who is telling the story?
1. If the answer is a narrator, go to step 3
2. If the answer is an "I"
3. How much does that narrator know?
1. If they know everything about everyone, the POV is omniscient
2. If they only know one character's perspective, the POV is limited

Main Idea & Details

Main Idea:

• The most important point.
• May be literal (stated) or implied.

Supporting Details:

• Provides information about the main idea.
• Contemplate the details to figure out the main idea if it is not stated. 

Graphic Organizer:

• Table top
• Top of the table = the Main Idea
• Each of the legs = the details supporting the main idea

Practice:

• Specialized Equipment for Ice Climbers
• Ice screws
• Axes
• Ropes
• Hammers
• Crampons

Character

Character:

• Individuals who participate in the action of a literary work.

Types of Characters

• Protagonist: The main characters in a story; always involved in the conflict.
• Antagonist: The character( or force) against the Protagonist. (working against each other); may be any external or internal conflict.
• Dynamic: A character who changes.
• Static: A character who stays mostly the same.
• Stock: A character who has lost their individuality. Typical characters 

• Motivation: The driving force behind the character's thoughts, feelings, and actions; key to stories.

Characterization:

 The techniques a writer uses to develop a character.

• Physical Description
• Character's own speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions.
• How other characters react about or too the character.
• Narrator's own comments about the character.

Elements of Short Story

Structural Elements

• "Must have."
• Plot
• Conflict
• Character
• Setting
• Point of View

Stylistic Elements

• "Nice to have."
• Symbol
• irony
• Foreshadow
• Suspense
• Figurative Language

Conceptual Elements

• Causes the reader to THINK
• Not tangible
• Theme
• Author's Intent or Purpose
• We can't point at the theme of the story we have to think about it to figure it out.

Plot: Framework

• Beginning/Exposition: 
• Where we meet the main character / problem
• Rising Action: 
• leads to the solution
• Climax:
• Turning point of the story
• Resolution:
• The problem is solved

Conflict: The Struggle

• Internal Conflict
• Person vs. Self
• External Conflict:
• Person vs. person, nature, machine, society, super natural.

Creating Suspense

• Suspense:
• Hooks reader with anxiety and curiosity
• Foreshadow:
• Clues about whats going to happen

THIEVES

Becoming T.H.I.E.V.E.S.

• A strategy to steal information before reading it
• Helps you find the right information quickly
• connect to prior knowledge
• anticipate the content (hook)
• focus on the topic
• Title (questions to ask yourself)
• What do I already know about this topic?
• What will I be reading about?
• Can I connect to that?
• What does it relate to in class?
• Is it fact or opinion?   
• Headings
• Tells me what I will be reading about
• How does it connect with the title
• How can I turn the heading into a question?
• Introduction
• First page / first paragraph
• Summarize the main idea
• Look for BOLD words, headings, questions, terms, or background information.
• Every First Sentence
• What does the sentence mean to what I'm reading?
• How does it connect to the heading?
• How can I turn it into a question?
• Visuals and Vocabulary
• Looking for pictures, maps, charts, or graphs for quick accurate information.
• Does the chapter contain any key words?
• End of chapter/section
• What do the questions ask?
• What do they find important?
• What do we learn from the questions?
• Preview the questions
• Summary
• What do i remember?
• Understanding the information given.

Grade Configuration & Contact Information

• Grade Scale
• A 90%
• B 80%
• C 70%
• D 60%
• Configuration
• 1st Quarter
• Daily Work 30%
• Test/Quiz 30%
• Lit. Analysis 20%
• Blog 20%
• 2nd Quarter
• Same as before
• Research Paper replaces Lit. Analysis
• 1st and 2nd quarter average to make your semester grade
• Contact Information
• Time 7:45-9:45; 3:00-3:45
• 2nd lunch by appointment
• Phone: 681-7432 ext. 1200
• Email: rmattson@trf.k12.mn.us (parent)
• rebecca.mattson@myprowler.org

Classroom Procedures

• Writing Assignments
• Reflect appropriate sentence/paragraph structure
• Text shorthand and abbreviations aren't acceptable in essays and assessments 
• Writing to demonstrate knowledge
• Blogs
• Must be organized!
• Graded EVERY Monday evening for the previous week
• Use the "Home" page for notes; other pages will be used in class as needed
• Google Drive
• create a folder share it with Mattson
• Create all documents IN the folder
• If you are absent

1. Check the website
2. Check the folder on the back counter for any handouts
3. Plan to come in *before or after school* for explanations/help

• Late Work Policy
• Each practice assignment will have two dates, a DUE date and a DEADLINE date
• -2 points/ each day after the due date
• half credit at best after the deadline
• long-term assignments are deadline only (essays, research paper, etc.)
• partially completed work not accepted
• Missing Work?
1. What am I missing? (Student Vue)
2. What do I need? (another copy, extra time, more explanation, etc.)
3. How can Mrs. Mattson help me?
• They like/want to help us
• Two school days for every one excused absence
• Independent Work Time
• its okay to listen to music as long as no one else can hear it.
• be respectful with side conversations
• don't pack up early

Classroom Expectations

• Be Prompt
• being on time
• Be Positive
• "Try Junkie"
• Break away from TTWWADI
• Be Prepared
• Use the bathroom/get a drink during passing time.
• Be Productive
• Be optimistic, engaged, organized and punctual. 
• Cell phone miss use she gets it till 3:01
• Computer miss use she makes you use paper.
• Be Polite
• "You attract more bees with honey than vinegar." (Use your manners)
• Treat people the way you want to be treated. Golden Rule!!!!
• Be Proactive
• Creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened.
• Mt. Dew is reactive, Water is proactive
• Behavior is a function of decisions, not condition
• "Responsibility" is our "ability" to "respond"
• PLAN AHEAD, or accept the consequences.