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Lesson 4

We will collect evidence from In the Time of the Butterflies that supports our thesis and begin drafting our literary analysis essay.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas?

  • Can I use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, and evidence to support and elaborate on coherent and logical arguments?

  • Can I apply correct and effective syntax, usage, mechanics, and spelling to communicate ideas and achieve intended purposes?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2010

Materials

Tools

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will write an initial draft of our Culminating Task.

Use the planning you have done to draft a series of paragraphs that present, explain, and support your claims with textual evidence. This draft is a way to express your initial thoughts on paper. You will have time to refine and revise it.

Activity 2: Write

We will draft the idea that will guide our essays—otherwise known as the thesis.

Take notes about a thesis in your Learning Log:

A thesis is a controlling idea of your paper, and all your points work toward supporting it. A good thesis is precise and focused, not too broad or general. For example, "Characters in the novel are revolutionaries," is too broad; it is not focused and will be hard to manage.

A good thesis is defensible—that is, it can be defended by evidence.

A good thesis is clear—that is, it takes an easily identifiable position.

Your thesis can change or be refined as you develop your ideas. Your first draft of a thesis might not be the one that ends up in your final draft.

Based on your original two claims, select one that will drive your thinking for the literary analysis essay.

Complete Part 5 in your Culminating Task Planning Guide to draft a thesis statement that makes a claim regarding the literary criticism lens you have chosen. You will likely have to revise your thesis as you develop your idea.

Activity 3: Read – Write

We will refine our theses for our essays.

Reread your homework from the previous lesson. Look for patterns and connections in the claims you have written about your topic. What do they add up to? Think about how they might lead you to a central claim that responds to the following question: How does Julia Alvarez depict the Mirabal sisters to be revolutionary leaders?

Do you have a thesis or an idea that can be refined in your draft? Continue Part 5 in your Culminating Task Planning Guide to express your central idea about your topic in one to two sentences that can be used to direct and organize your essay. This will be your essay’s thesis, an expression of the understanding you have developed by examining your topic.

Activity 4: Write

We will identify and organize supporting evidence.

Complete Part 6 in your Culminating Task Planning Guide to write supporting claims and evidence based on the thesis statement that you composed.

Review your Vocabulary Journal. Identify significant words that you would like to use in your response to the Culminating Task.

Activity 5: Read – Write

For homework, we will finish identifying our supporting evidence.

For homework, finish identifying your supporting evidence in Part 6 of your Culminating Task Planning Guide.