Dear Students s3

February 2013

Dear Students,

Now you are finished with the novel, Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes. It is your chance to demonstrate what you learned in a five paragraph essay and a poem reflecting a specific character from the novel. This is a major piece of writing worth 200 points. See the schedule below for requirements.

This assignment has two parts to it: the five paragraph essay and a character poem.

Typed rough draft = 30 points Due Monday Finished Essay = 100 points Due Tuesday Typed rough of poem = 20 points Due Wednesday Finished Poem = 50 points Due Thursday

Paragraph One Make a bold statement about the book. This paragraph should include the title of the book, Bronx Masquerade, in italics. It should also provide the author’s name. Then, give background information regarding the novel: the setting, what is happening in the story, the characters.

Paragraph Two Introduce the character. Explain critical details about the character and the struggles or issues they are experiencing. This paragraph should mention your personal connection to the character…what do you have in common? PLEASE…not Devon and I have a lot in common because we both play basketball!

Paragraph Three Explain the poem the character wrote. This should include the title of the poem, how the poem reflects the character. You should note figurative language and specifically what you like about the poem. Use “to quote” any lines of significance followed by a citation from the book (Grimes 101).

Paragraph Four Describe how the character has grown. What happens in the novel that causes the character to change? ALL CHARACTERS GROW THROUGHOUT THIS NOVEL!

Paragraph Five This paragraph should include the theme or lesson taught in the book. Include a personal reflection regarding the reading of the novel. It is fine to compare the book to something else you have read in the past. QUOTE EXAMPLE: Amy feels as cold as stone especially when her father is concerned. Her relationship with him has little warmth or feeling. One time, Amy was going to the hospital and in severe pain and her father could not even help her or provide any comforting words to her. Amy describes her feelings, “Would it have killed him to touch me? Helped me up the hospital steps” (Grimes 102)? It seems Amy’s father is afraid to show his love for her and she resents that lack of emotion.

1. Set up the quote by telling what happened in the story 2. Quote the book including appropriate punctuation and a citation afterwards (Grimes 103). 3. Explain the quotation and what it proves Decide on your favorite character from the book. You should be able to make a personal connection and provide valid support for why this character is your favorite. The connection should be insightful...and not just superficial (Example: I like Devon because we both play basketball.)

After writing the paragraph, it should be easy to take this information and create a poem illustrating your knowledge of the character. Refer to the first poem written about Langston Hughes for a great example from which to model your poem.

Necessary:  HEADING: Your name, hour, Bronx Masquerade Essay, date SINGLE SPACED top right corner  Document, double-spaced, readable font  Indent paragraphs  USE TRANSITIONS to begin each paragraph. NEVER use first, second, third!  Cite quotations properly  Descriptive word choice matters

Remember it is important to re-read your work for silly mistakes.

Best of luck!

Mrs. Kelly Mrs. Kelly’s Language Arts Friday Lab Directions

 Highlight changes in rough draft o Contractions o Personal pronouns o Choppy sentences o Word choice o Clarification….replace words like thing, it, they o Do you have enough information? Make sentences longer and more complete!  Edit paper – read it over AGAIN  Staple o Final copy on top

NOW, take all the information about that one character and create a poem.

This should be lengthy enough to show someone who did not read the book exactly what the character is about…you need specific examples!

1. Use any font 2. Remember to use phrases, not sentences 3. Can you include figurative language? Alliteration, simile, oxymoron? 4. WORD CHOICE MATTERS!!! 5. Have a neighbor read and make suggestions 6. Create a catchy title - NOT THE CHARACTER NAME!