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Lesson 6

We will respond to Part 1 of the Section 2 Diagnostic prompt: How does the use of purposeful and descriptive language help authors communicate experiences, events, character traits, tone, setting, and theme in a story?

Lesson Goals

Reading and Knowledge

  • Attend to Details: How well do I recognize and interpret language and sentence elements and structures to deepen my understanding of texts?
  • Analyze Relationships: How well do I recognize and interpret important relationships among key details and ideas (characters, setting, tone, point of view, structure, development, etc.) within texts?
  • Determine Meaning and Purpose: How well do I use connections among details, elements, and effects to make logical deductions about an author’s perspective, purpose, and meaning in texts?
  • Gather and Organize Evidence: How well do I gather and organize relevant and sufficient evidence to demonstrate an understanding of texts and topics, support claims, and develop ideas?

Writing

  • Form Claims: How well do I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?
  • Develop Ideas: How well do I use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, evidence, and visual elements to support and elaborate on coherent and logical narratives, explanations, and arguments?
  • Use Conventions and Produce Clear Writing: How well do I apply correct and effective syntax, usage, mechanics, and spelling to communicate ideas and achieve intended purposes?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • The Book of Unknown Americans, Cristina Henríquez, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2015
  • Unit Reader
    • “Immigrants in Our Own Land,” Jimmy Santiago Baca, New Directions Publishing Corp., 1979

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will draft our responses to the section 2 diagnostic using our planning materials.

Using your planning materials, including your Section 2 Diagnostic Note-Taking Tool, and the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist, draft a response to Part 1 of the Section 2 Diagnostic.

Part 1: Write a response to the following question:

  1. How does the use of purposeful and descriptive language help authors communicate experiences, events, character traits, tone, setting, and theme in a story?

In your response, provide examples of purposeful and descriptive language from both The Book of Unknown Americans and "Immigrants in Our Own Land," and explain how each example develops plot, characterization, tone, setting, or theme in the text.

Activity 2: Write

We will revise our responses using focus questions as a guide.

Revision is the process of re-seeing your work with fresh eyes. Revision is a challenge for all writers. The art of making writing better is hard work that can feel very messy at times. Revise your draft using the following questions to guide you:

  1. Did I introduce my topic clearly?

  2. Did I develop my topic with relevant and sufficient text evidence from both texts?

  3. Did I use transitions to move between ideas?

  4. Did I use purposeful, precise language to compare the texts?

  5. Did I include an effective conclusion?

Activity 3: Write

We will edit for grammar and punctuation and publish a clean copy for evaluation.

Review your response to ensure you use correct grammar and punctuation. Make edits as necessary.

Submit a clean copy that integrates your revisions and edits.