Lesson 10

Lesson Goals

• Can I analyze and evaluate the evidence and reasoning of the author’s argument?

• Can I write about texts to examine and convey complex ideas through the effective selection and analysis of details from the text?

• Can I develop claims by selecting the most significant and relevant textual evidence?

Texts

Core

• • Excerpt from “Representing Ophelia: Women, Madness, and the Responsibilities of Feminist Criticism,” Elaine Showalter, Methuen Publishing, 1985

• • Hamlet, William Shakespeare, Simon and Schuster, 2003

Materials

Tools

• Hamlet: Section 3 Diagnostic Checklist

• Hamlet: Feminist Lens Note-Taking Tool

• Hamlet: Hamlet Act 1 Scene 3 Jigsaw Note-Taking Tool

• Organizing Evidence Tool

• Vocabulary Journal

Reference Guides

• Avoiding Plagiarism Reference Guide
• Claims Reference Guide
• Connecting Ideas Reference Guide
• Conventions Reference Guide
• Integrating Quotations Reference Guide
• Organization Reference Guide
• Style Reference Guide

Question Sets

• Hamlet: Section 3 Question Set

Editable Google Docs

• Hamlet: Section 3 Diagnostic Checklist

• Hamlet: Feminist Lens Note-Taking Tool

• Hamlet: Hamlet Act 1 Scene 3 Jigsaw Note-Taking Tool

• Organizing Evidence Tool

• Hamlet: Section 3 Question Set

• Vocabulary Journal

Activity 1: Discuss

We will discuss our responses to the homework questions with our groups.

Discuss your response to the following homework questions with your group:

1. What is the function of Paragraphs 8–9 in the organization of the author’s argument?

2. Is the essay’s overall structure effective for conveying the author’s ideas? Why or why not?

Activity 2: Read

We will examine and evaluate the evidence and reasoning that Elaine Showalter uses in her argument.

Now that we have analyzed the primary claims and unique organizational structure of the essay, we will turn next to examining and evaluating the evidence and reasoning that the author uses to justify her argument.

You have probably noticed that the author uses quotations both from the play Hamlet and from other critics to support her ideas. Independently, reread the essay. Use the following questions to guide your annotations:

1. Is the evidence relevant, well-chosen, and compelling? Why or why not?

2. Does the author effectively refute each counterclaim? Why or why not?

3. Is the primary claim valid and justifiable? Why or why not?

Activity 3: Read

We will read the Section 3 Diagnostic prompt and begin generating ideas for our response.

Read the Section 3 Diagnostic Checklist.

You have read a critical essay focused on the character Ophelia. You will write a well-developed, multiparagraph literary analysis essay that defends or challenges a claim of the literary criticism. You will support your analysis using a variety of well-selected evidence from Hamlet and any other texts we have read or viewed.

Individually, begin planning and drafting your controlling idea and support paragraphs. Do not yet worry about your conclusion and introduction as these should come last.

Use your annotations and various tools and handouts to locate evidence to support your claims. Be sure to include proper line citations with your textual evidence. Consult with a partner as needed to work and talk through your ideas and approaches.

Review your Vocabulary Journal and identify a significant word or words that you would like to use in your draft.

Finish drafting the support paragraphs of your essay and be ready to share and receive feedback in your peer review for the next lesson.

Complete this activity for homework if you do not complete your body rough draft by the close of this lesson. In the next lesson, we will trade drafts and deconstruct each others’ body paragraphs.