When a writer (you) makes a claim or presents an argument about a piece of literature, he needs to present evidence in support of his claim. So, what is evidence?
For each of the essential questions in this unit, you will need to find quotations from the text that support your answers, also known as “claims”. “Quotations” are NOT limited to character dialogue. Quotations from the text include any piece of the text that you believe offers support to your claim, including narration and description.
Example
Essential Question: How does John Knowles illustrate the effects of war through one of his characters?
Claim: John Knowles uses the character Leper, and the way he changes throughout the novel, to illustrate the effects of war.
Evidence:
p. 142 “…I noticed the left side of his upper lip lift once or twice as though he was about to snarl or cry. Then I realized that this had nothing to do with his mood, that it was involuntary.”
p. 144 “Fear seized my stomach like a cramp. I didn’t care what I said to him now; it was myself I was worried about. For if Leper was a psycho it was the army which had done it to him…”
p. 148 “Hoarse, cracking sobs broke from him; another ounce of grief and he would have begun tearing his country store clothes.”
Homework: Essential Questions—Be prepared to discuss each of the following questions using specific evidence from the text. Your task is to answer the question (and there are many ways to appropriately answer these questions!), and utilize at least three pieces of evidence to support your claim. (Use a separate sheet of paper if you run out of room and staple it to this paper!)
How does John Knowles illustrate the effects of war through one of his characters? (you may not use Leper)
Claim:
(#1 continued) Evidence:
1.
2.
3.
How has Gene’s perspective of the Devon School changed from when he was a student to when he visits the school as an adult 15 years later?