"The Continuity of Parks" Say/Does/How and Three Levels of Questions
Activity
Say/Does/How Directions:
1. Read "The Continuity of Parks" by Julio Cortázar.
2. After reading, practice using Say/Does/How strategy. This strategy will help you avoid merely
writing plot summary in your essays. You will have a more engaging and thoughtful response.
You should use this method until you automatically think in the terms we wiII be discussing
today.
3. Complete the chart below.
SAY
DOES
HOW
Paraphrase and/or summarize
what happens or is said
(Identify plot and details -facts).
Interpret the meanings of what
happens or is said
(Think about significance of
the ‘says’ column.)
Describe the
strategies/devices the author
uses to create meanings
(consider the author’s craft)
What the narrator or other
characters say
Ask questions that lead you to
draw inferences about theme,
character, and narrative
commentary of the speakers.
Consider how the author
manipulates language to create
multiple meanings.
The first paragraph serves as the
setting and mood portion of the
exposition. It creates an image of a
homey family life which gives us the
feeling that the marriage is perfect
and happy, but we do question this
as we see that light is only cast on
Mary, the curtains are drawn, and
that the empty chair (was) opposite
from her.
The first paragraph utilizes sight
imagery, mood, and diction to
establish the theme that
appearances can be deceptive. The
first paragraph also utilizes
alliteration with the t’s in two tall and
two table to help provide that
feeling of pairing and togetherness,
but as we later find out this marriage
has in fact crumbled.
Example from “Lamb to the
Slaughter” paragraph 1
The narrator reveals the setting of
“Lamb to the Slaughter.” We are in a
warm and clean room containing
drawn curtains, two tables, a
sideboard that contains two glasses,
soda water and whiskey. There are
also fresh ice cubes in a Thermos
bucket.
Your turn: Paragraph 1 of "The
Continuity of Parks"
Your turn” Paragraph 2 of "The
Continuity of Parks"
Levels of Questions Directions: Choose one character from “The Continuity of Parks” and
write one Level One Question, one Level Two Question, and One Level Three Question for/about
him/her.
Level One Questions: These questions can be answered definitely with facts found in the
text or by information readily available in outside sources. Notice that level one questions
have one correct answer and lend themselves to matching, multiple choice, or fill-in-theblank tests. They are important because they require the student to read the work and
provide support for levels two and three questions. Students do need to be attentive to
details.
Your Level One Question:
Level Two Questions: The answers to these questions are implied rather than stated
directly in the text. Asking these types of questions requires students to draw inferences
based on specific information they can cite to back up their conclusions.
Your Level Two Question:
Level Three Questions: These questions are more abstract. They go outside the text and
present issues for discussion that bring in the students; frame of reference. Notice that while
level three questions will probably promote the most discussion, they require students to
understand the work as a whole. These types of questions are necessary for synthesis and
argument essays on the AP Exams. These types of questions will give your essay voice and
unique angles for analysis.
Your Level Three Question: