Class Agenda 5.23

1. Reflections on Essay three: Keep it as simple as possible. There are different moments in Zeitoun that have lessons for New Yorkers. Pick at least two passages and build quote sandwiches around them. Each passage tells us something important about Zeitoun's decisions during the storm and emergency, and/or also what happened to him. Your job is to create a claim that explains the 'lesson' of either his action or what happened to him. You could also focus on Kathy. These two claims will become your thesis (or three, depending on how much you want to say, or how confidence you are in your claims).

Thesis template

On the one hand, Zeitoun's rescue of neighbors after the storm has lessons for New Yorkers because ______________. New Yorkers should know that ____________________. On the other hand, the military conditions in New Orleans also demonstrate that _____________. One lesson might definitely be _______________________. 

2. As you read over each other's papers, just know that I'm looking for a solid, tightly argued 3-page paper with an introduction, two supporting paragraphs, and a meaningful conclusion. You are still creating quote sandwiches.

3. As for critical thinking, consider these strategies:

·         Close-reading of language. How can we go beyond paraphrase and “interpret” the meaning of the passage by focusing on specific words?

·         Connecting the idea to a relevant passage in the same text. How can we connect this passage with another to deepen its meaning?

·         Connecting the main idea to another text. How can we connect a main idea we’ve discovered in the passage and relate it to a relevant idea that we’ve found elsewhere?

4. If you have time, click here: [Critical thinking mini-lesson] [you also might want to explore the student blogs from this group of 101s...look around].