Day 113: 3/19/19 - A Day: Analytical Essay Proving that Harry Potter is a Literary Hero

Good day 6th Graders,      

     This week we will continue unit 3, Critical Analysis & Evaluation of Fictional Texts by planning and writing an analytical essay. We will be aligning two texts, a fictional text, and an informational text.

                        Thank you,
                        Mr. Trumble

Do Now: 

• Write down tonight's homework
• Log on to your computer and go to our classroom web page. DO NOT go to Kidblog yet!!!

Homework: 

• Work on your Essay at home if you have internet access

Agenda

1. Independent - Drafting essay

Today's Goal:

• Continue Drafting - You will be drafting right on the computer
• You can use Kidblog, or Microsoft Word. If you use Kidblog you will have the ability to work on it at home if you would like. Working on your writing at home will definitely improve your overall essay! 

Activity #1
Aligning Two Texts
Analyzing Harry Potter as a model of a Hero following the pattern of the Hero's Journey

Standards:
RL6.1 & RI6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
RL6.5 & RI6.5Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, or chapter fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of ideas
W6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W6.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W6.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach
W6.6 Use technology to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills.

Essential Question:

How does Harry Potter fit the pattern of the Hero's Journey? 

Your Task:
You will be using the graphic organizer to begin aligning 2 texts:
1. The Hero's Journey, by Joseph Campbell
2. Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling

***This graphic organizer below is your planning document for your analytical essay.*** You may refer to any and all of your notes that you took as we read. 

Directions:
Fill in each column.

1 - Describe each stage of the Hero's Journey

2 - Write details about Harry Potter that you think show how Harry goes through each Stage

3 - Select Evidence from the text that proves your point
* You do not need to complete every stage. Some stages are harder than others. You need to complete the stages you plan to use in your essay.

You will have the option to choose which level of writing you want to try. The levels are listed below.

Base Writing (3 paragraphs)

• Introduction Paragraph
• 1 Body Paragraph
• Conclusion Paragraph

Advanced Writing (4 - 5 paragraphs)

• Introduction Paragraph
• 2 - 3 Body Paragraphs 
• Conclusion Paragraph

Expert Writing (6 - 8 Paragraphs)

• Introduction
• 4 - 6 Body Paragraphs
• Conclusion

Analytical Essay

(Pattern for Writing your Intro)

• 1. Hook
• Ex: a question
• Ex: An opinion
• 2. An amazing Fact about Harry Potter 
• Optional
• Could be a fact you find on the internet
• 3. Background Info about the Hero's Journey
• This is information from your notes about Joseph Campbell, and about what the hero's journey is.
• Explain what the hero's Journey is - a pattern of literature.
• Tell the reader who first identified this pattern
• etc.
• 4. Thesis Statement
• Ex: The Character of Harry Potter is a perfect example of a character who follows the pattern of the hero's journey. 

(Pattern for Writing your body paragraphs)

• 1. Intro sentence
• Ex: Harry Potter receives a call to adventure.
• Ex: Harry has allies and helpers that assist him along the Hero's Journey.
• Ex: Harry has to face a road of trials throughout the story. 
• 2. sentence about the stage of the Hero's Journey.
• Ex: According to the Hero's Journey....
• Ex: In this stage of the Hero's Journey...
• 3. Sentence(s) describing the details in your own words how Harry goes through that stage. 
• 4. Sentence including your evidence
• In the text it says...
• In the novel...
• In the book...
• According to the Author...
• 5. Sentence connecting your detail and evidence. 
• Ex: This shows...
• Ex: This evidence proves...
• Ex: This demonstrates how...

(Pattern for Writing you Conclusion)

• Link your conclusion to your introduction
• Remind your reader what it is you are trying to prove
• This is where you reference your thesis statement
• Reflect on your thesis
• Share your opinion of Harry as a Hero
• Answer the question, "So what?"
• Why should I care about what you have to say?
• Think about how I can apply this new knowledge to other books, and/or movies I read/watch.
• Tell the reader why your analysis is important. Leave the reader with something to think about, or a course of action to take.
• Think about sharing your final thoughts and opinions on Harry
• How can we apply this knowledge about Harry as a Hero to other books and movies?

ABOUT CONCLUSIONS

     Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. While the body is often easier to write, the introduction and conclusion frame your thoughts.

     A good conclusion will help your reader see why all your analysis and information should matter to them after they put the paper down. Your conclusion can make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them appreciate your topic in meaningful ways. It is your gift to the reader.

STRATEGIES FOR WRITING AN EFFECTIVE CONCLUSION

One or more of the following strategies may help you write an effective conclusion.

• Play the “So What” Game. If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying anything new or interesting, ask a friend to read it with you. Whenever you make a statement from your conclusion, ask the friend to say, “So what?” or “Why should anybody care?” Then ponder that question and answer it.
• Synthesize, don’t summarize: Show your reader how the points you made and the details and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together, and answer the question, "Why is your analysis important to your reader?"
• Propose a course of action, or questions for further Inquiry. This can help your reader  apply your info and ideas to their own life or to see the broader implications. For example, how does your analysis apply to other stories, novels, and movies.

STRATEGIES TO AVOID

• Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as “in conclusion,” “in summary,” or “in closing.” Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as unintelligent and boring in writing.
• Introducing a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion.
• Ending with a restated thesis statement. (Remember what I always say, Do not restate! Reflect!)
• Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper.

ONE KIND OF INEFFECTIVE CONCLUSION

1. The “That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It” Conclusion.(Also known as "Now you know.")
   This conclusion just restates the thesis and is usually painfully short. It does not push the ideas forward. People write this kind of conclusion when they can’t think of anything else to say.

*ALERT* You will be drafting and publishing  your essay right on Kidblog. This way if you would like to work on it at home, you can. Be sure that you include your name in the title. For Example:

Roy Trumble's Analytical Essay

YOU MUST SAVE your work as a draft each day. On Wednesday you will be publishing it to the class. You will NOT be handing in a paper copy! 

RTI 

Work on Analytical Essays