Name ___________________________________________ Date ________________ Period ___________
BEST EVIDENCE Practice
◘Directions: Choose the best evidence (quote) to prove the topic sentence below.
The evidence should work to prove the claim or stand taken in the topic sentence.
Provide your reasoning for keeping or rejecting each piece of evidence.
Prompt: What is the most important decision made in the story “Thank You
M’am” by Langston Hughes? Why?
Topic Sentence: Roger’s decision to steal Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’
pocketbook is the most important decision made in the story Thank You M’am by
Langston Hughes, because it lays the foundation for Roger’s growth.
Evidence
1 “When she got to her door, she dragged the
boy inside, down a hall, and into a large
kitchenette-furnished room at the rear of
the house” (Hughes 88).
2 “Thank you Ma’m” (Hughes91).
3 “It was about eleven o’clock at night, dark,
and she was walking alone, when a boy ran
up behind here and tried to snatch her
purse” (Hughes 88).
4 “Then we’ll eat,” said the woman. “I believe
you’re hungry—or been hungry—to try to
snatch my pocketbook” (Hughes 89).
5 “The boy wanted to say something other
than ‘Thank you, m’am’ to Mrs. Luella Bates
Washington Jones, but although his lips
moved, he couldn’t even say that as he
turned at the foot of the barren stoop and
looked up at the large woman in the door.
Then she shut the door” (Hughes 91).
Keep It
or
Reject
It?
Why?
This quote shows Roger’s growth and change as a person.
I have proven my topic sentence with this quote because it shows that Roger has
changed as a result of Mrs. Luella Bates’ kindness. He is a better person and that’s
why he did not say any thing.
The boy could not bring himself to actually say “Thank you, ma’am” because he was
so astounded by her kindness. Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones had an open
heart, and an ability to see the innocence and good in Roger, in spite of his attempt
to steal from her. In the beginning of the story the Roger was focused on stealing for
unimportant material gain (shoes), but Mrs. Jones taught him about the possibilities
awaiting him. She taught him about emotional gain through decency and positive
human interaction. His speechlessness at the end of the story suggests that he was
in a state of shock and reflection about his experience with Mrs. Jones. His desire to
come up with the right words to express his appreciation demonstrates his
emotional growth from a boy with a self-centered focus (shoes) to a boy on his way
to becoming a young man with a larger focus: another human being’s feelings.
The boy could not bring himself to actually say “Thank you, ma’am” because he was
so astounded by her kindness. Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones had an open
heart, and an ability to see the innocence and good in Roger, in spite of his attempt
to steal from her. In the beginning of the story the Roger was focused on stealing for
unimportant material gain (shoes), but Mrs. Jones taught him about the possibilities
awaiting him. She taught him about emotional gain through decency and positive
human interaction.
His speechlessness at the end of the story suggests that he was in a state of shock
and reflection about his experience with Mrs. Jones. His desire to come up with the
right words to express his appreciation demonstrates his emotional growth from a
boy with a self-centered focus (shoes) to a boy on his way to becoming a young man
with a larger focus: another human being’s feelings.
“You ought to by my son. I would teach you right from wrong. Least I
can do right now is to wash your face. Are you hungry?” (Hughes 89).
Roger’s decision to steal Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’ pocketbook is the
most important decision made in the story Thank You M’am by Langston Hughes,
because it lays the foundation for Roger’s growth.