A Strategy for Answering Ms. Minauros Short Essay Questions

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A Strategy for Answering Ms. Minauros Short
Essay Questions

• (and some notes on the scar in The Lord of the
  Flies)

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Our example question is

• The word scar is used repeatedly throughout The
  Lord of the Flies to describe the damage that the
  plane left when it crashed. Why would Golding
  use this word? Provide ATLEAST 3 examples from
  the text to support your answer.
• This Powerpoint will walk you through the process
  of Answering the question, Transitioning into
  Examples, and Providing examples (3) from the
  text and Concluding.

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Think

• The first part of the question is asking you why
  you think Golding would use the word scar, there
  is no right or wrong HOWEVER you are going to
  need to support your answer with info from the
  book so make sure what you come up with is
  logical.

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So.

• Think about a scar. Do you have any scars? Do
  you know anyone with scars? What does a scar
  look like? What adjectives might describe a scar?
  How do people feel about scars? What does it
  mean to be scarred for life?
• Discuss

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Answer the Question(copy)

• MAKE SURE you turn the question around to begin
  your answer statement. (Meaning your answer
  should start off with something like William
  Golding uses the word scar to describe the damage
  that the plane left on the island because)
• Answer using your own thoughts (but remember you
  will have to find book examples for support) Put
  your thoughts into main idea/ topic sentences.
  This should be between 2-3 12th Grade level
  sentences.

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Example

• William Golding chooses to use the word scar to
  describe the planes damage to the island because
  the plane crash has left an ugly mark on the
  island. Also, scars are permanent and often
  times unforgettable.

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2. Transition to Examples (copy)

• Now you need a transition sentence to lead into
  the examples you are going to use from the book.
• This sentence should connect your ideas from the
  main idea sentences to what your examples from
  the book will be talking about.

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Example

• The boys that were on the plane that crashed onto
  this island were responsible for many actions
  that not only scarred the island but also
  scarred each other, physically and mentally.

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3 ) Provide Examples(copy)

• Now you should find good, concrete examples from
  the book and BE SPECIFIC.
• For example, do not just say that Jack is mean
  to Piggy. Give an exact description of an event
  in the book when Jack is mean to Piggy, such as
  when Piggy insists that he should be able to
  talk because he has the conch, Jack degrades him
  by telling him to shut up and by calling him
  fatty.
• Use transition words to lead from one example to
  the next (e.g. first, next, last).

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Examples from Book

• First of all, the boys damage the island when
  they are irresponsible and light a fire that
  quickly becomes a forest fire which destroys part
  of the island.
• Also, a little boy falls victim to this fire.
  This boys death is a horrible event that impacts
  them so much that they do not even want to
  mention the fire or the boy.
• Last, Jacks treatment of people is very hurtful,
  especially Piggy. The way he bullies Piggy is
  mentally scarring. He yells at him, tells him to
  shut up and calls him fatty.

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4) Conclusion

• Provide a brief conclusion that wraps your answer
  up. It should be your thoughts, feelings or
  emotions regarding what you talked about
  throughout the answer.

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Example

• I think that the impact of this plane crash and
  the constant struggle for them to survive and get
  along will create a scar in their heads from
  the experience and the realization that people
  can be so uncivilized.

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Put it all together

• William Golding chooses to use the word scar to
  describe the planes damage to the island because
  the plane crash has left an ugly mark on the
  island. Also, scars are permanent and often
  times unforgettable. The boys that were on the
  plane that crashed onto this island were
  responsible for many actions that not only
  scarred the island but also scarred each other,
  physically and mentally. First of all, the boys
  damage the island when they are irresponsible and
  light a fire that quickly becomes a forest fire
  that destroys part of the island. Also, a little
  boy falls victim to this fire. This boys death
  is a horrible event that impacts them so much
  that they do not even want to mention the fire or
  the boy. Last, Jacks treatment of people is
  very hurtful, especially Piggy. The way he
  bullies Piggy is mentally scarring. He yells at
  him, tells him to shut up and calls him fatty. I
  think that the impact of this plane crash and the
  constant struggle for them to survive and get
  along will create a scar in their heads from
  the experience and the realization that people
  can be so uncivilized.

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Your Turn

• Do you think Piggy might have been a better
  choice for leader instead of Ralph? Why or why
  not? Provide ATLEAST three specific examples from
  the book to support your answer.
• Remember
• Answer (should include some of the question!)
• Transition
• Examples (3)
• Conclusion