Shirley Jackson The Lottery and The Possibility of Evil

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Shirley Jackson

• The Lottery and
• The Possibility of Evil

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(No Transcript)
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How do I begin to write a response to literature?

• First and foremost, you need to read and
  understand the story you are going to write
  about.
• If you do not understand the story, go to the
  internet and see what other people have said
  about it! (Do not plagiarize!)
• Once you understand the basics of the story,
  begin to think about what lesson the author wants
  us to learn from the story.

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Start with Theme

• A broad idea, message, or lesson that is conveyed
  by a work.
• The message may be about life, society, or human
  nature.
• Look at your handout Big Ideas that Lead to
  Theme to help get you started.
• Remember that the theme of a story is not just
  one word! If you decide a story is about
  friendship, what specifically is the story saying
  about friendship?
• Example Friends are needed in order to have a
  happy life. (Note that the theme of friendship is
  made specific!)

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After finding the theme

• After you have decided on a theme to the story
  you need to think in generalities.
• This is the Universal Truth that I have talked
  about.
• You must have 3 to 4 sentences in which you
  discuss the themes universal truth.

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Example

• Friends come and go into our lives. Without
  companions, our existence would be lonely and
  dreadful. In order to create worthwhile lives,
  we must have the company of other people.
• This universal truth does NOT state the name of
  the story, the author, or any of the characters!
  Also, it is all commentary, something that can be
  argued withyour opinion.

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What next?

• Your thesis! Your thesis always goes AFTER the
  universal truth!
• Your thesis ALWAYS starts out with the name of
  the story and then the name of the author.
• Your thesis ALWAYS has a subject (more often than
  not, a name of a character) and commentary or
  your opinion.
• Your thesis MUST relate to your theme! If your
  theme is about friendship, do not talk about self
  discovery in your thesis.

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Example

• In Thank You Mam by Langston Hughes, Roger
  is taken in by Mrs. Jones and learns that in
  order to lead a happy life he needs friendship,
  leaving him optimistic and reflective.
• Your thesis is the controlling piece to your
  paper. Once you have it written you must return
  to it to guide your body paragraphs!
• Your paper will discuss only how Roger learns he
  needs friendship in order to live a happy life.

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Put it all together

• Friends come and go into our lives. Without
  companions, our existence would be lonely and
  dreadful. In order to create worthwhile lives,
  we must have the company of other people. In
  Thank You Mam by Langston Hughes, Roger is
  taken in by Mrs. Jones and learns that in order
  to lead a happy life he needs friendship, leaving
  him optimistic and reflective.

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You have just completed your introductory
paragraph!

• Final Tips
• Write your introduction in the present tense.
• Pick a theme that is easily identifiable.
• Dont include the name of the story, the
  character or the author in your universal truth
  statement.
• Always start your final sentence in your
  introduction with the name of the story and the
  name of the author. Next, write your subject
  (usually a character) and your commentary
  (opinion) that relates to the theme.

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Lets try an introduction for The Lottery

• What was the theme of The Lottery?
• Tradition
• Following a crowd
• Remember we need to say more than one word!

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Tradition

• Following tradition without questioning the
  logic behind it can lead to reckless and
  disturbed behavior.

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Following a Crowd

• When people blindly follow a crowd it leads to
  behavior that is both foolish and impulsive.

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What is a universal truth about tradition?

• Tradition in societies and cultures allow for
  important lessons and skills to be passed on from
  generation to generation. Some would say that
  these very traditions define our values and
  personalities. However, following others without
  question can lead to reckless and impulsive
  behavior.
•  

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Thesis statement

• In The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, the
  townspeople blindly follow a barbaric tradition
  of stoning to death a member of their village
  without thinking about this gruesome and evil
  practice.
• Our guiding force for what the paper will be
  about is above. You will discuss how blindly
  following tradition has lead to a gruesome and
  evil practice.

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Now its your turn!

• Write an introduction for a response to
  literature for The Possibility of Evil.
• Go back to your notes to remember where to begin.
• Keep these notes! You will need to refer back to
  them for future papers.

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The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson

• Theme
• Universal Truth (3-4 Sentences)
• Thesis (Name of story, author, subject and
  opinion)