Grade 9 Essay #4: Literary Analysis of the Miracle Worker.

Pick one of the following theses to discuss in this essay:

1. Communication is vital to any relationship.
2. Language is the doorway to the mind.
3. Spoiling a person is harmful to that person.
4. Teaching people how to do things themselves is far better than doing for them.
5. People should not close their hearts to love.
6. Never give up hope.
7. The Miracle Worker is filled with conflict.

Or use the following ideas in a discussion of the story:

1. What might be a motto that expresses Annie’s philosophy of life?
2. Choose a quote from the play that you find meaningful. Explain its importance in the play and to yourself.

Think of tone: This essay should be written at the standard or conferential level, not sub-standard (with slang and over use of idioms), nor non-standard. Be precise. Be descriptive. If one follows this outline, the essay should be a good one.

I. Introduction:

1. lead statement:________________________________________________

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2. explain the lead:_______________________________________________

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3. overview of the story:__________________________________________

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4. thesis statement:_______________________________________________

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II. First reason supporting the thesis

1. state the reason:____________________________________________

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2. supporting detail – explain fully the reason:_________________________

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3. elaboration/ use a quote from the story that illustrates your reason. Explain

what the quote means: _________________________________________________

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4. commentary/ how do you react to this quote or point: ________________

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III. Second reason supporting the thesis

1. state the reason:____________________________________________

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2. supporting detail – explain fully the reason:_________________________

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3. elaboration/ use a quote from the story that illustrates your reason. Explain

what the quote means: __________________________________________________

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4. commentary/ how do you react to this quote or point: ________________

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IV. Third reason supporting the thesis

1. state the reason:____________________________________________

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2. supporting detail – explain fully the reason:_________________________

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3. elaboration/ use a quote from the story that illustrates your reason. Explain

what the quote means: __________________________________________________

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4. commentary/ how do you react to this quote or point: ________________

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V. Conclusion

1. restate the thesis in different words:______________________________
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2. briefly restate reasons of support:________________________________

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3. make text-to-world/text-to-text/text-to-self connection: ______________

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4. hook back to the lead statement:________________________________

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