Entry Task: Deconstructing a prompt practice. Read
the following prompt. Write a thesis statement and two
topic sentences.
To what extent does one’s culture inform the way one views
others and the world? Be sure to support your claim with
evidence from at least three different texts you have read,
viewed, or listened to in this unit, as well as personal
experience and insights.


Students will be able to . . .
Analyze how culture affects identity and perceptions
Practice effective speaking and listening skills that
build capacity for collaboration/communication
Analyze the concept of voice in reading and writing
Examine and apply the elements of exposition
Examine and apply the elements of argumentation
Synthesis Paper
Activity 1.16 – Mapping position/organizational
strategy.
Activity 1.15 – Drafting your position
Activity 1.14 – Indian Father’s Plea/evidence (completed)
Activity 1.13 – Two Ways to Belong in America/Nonfiction
evidence. (completed)
Activity 1.12 – Everyday Use/evidence (completed)
Activity 1.10 – Where Worlds Collide/evidence (completed)
Activity 1.9 – Deconstruction a Prompt/essay basics
(completed)

Writing a Synthesis Paper.
Today you will be taking choosing one of the pieces of
literature that we have read (Where World’s Collide; Everyday
Use; Two Ways to Belong in America; An Indian Father’s Plea)
and write a body paragraph.
To what extent does one’s culture inform the way one views others and the world?
Using evidence from the writing piece (your choice) discuss how the family culture has
either a positive and/or negative influential factor in informing the way one views
others and the world.
Topic Sentence: What your paragraph is all about
1st Support: Assertion that proves your topic sentence – positive or negative interaction
Evidence: Two specific quotes/evidence from novel to support your assertion
Commentary: Analysis of quotes/evidence. “This shows that…”
2nd Support: Assertion that proves your topic sentence – positive or negative interaction
Evidence: Two specific quotes/evidence from novel to support your assertion
Commentary: Analysis of quotes/evidence. “This shows that…”
Concluding Sentence: Connect back to Topic Sentence/provides closure
To what extent does one’s culture inform the way one views others and the world?
Using evidence from the novel discuss positive cultural interactions and negative
cultural interactions that impacted Bessie and Sadie Delany’s view of the world.
Topic Sentence: What your paragraph is all about
In the novel Having Our Say, Sadie and Bessie Delany’s world view is influenced
by their family cultural influence in both positive and negative interactions.
Support: Assertion that proves your topic sentence – positive or negative interaction
Sadie and Bessie experience positive family cultural interaction when they
moved to Harlem and their family joins them
Evidence: Two specific quotes/evidence from novel to support your assertion
Commentary: Analysis of quotes/evidence. “This shows that…”
Support: Assertion that proves your topic sentence – positive or negative interaction
Sadie and Bessie’s experience negative family cultural interaction when they
were growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and they experienced racism
Evidence: Two specific quotes/evidence from novel to support your assertion
Commentary: Analysis of quotes/evidence. “This shows that…”
Concluding Sentence: Connect back to Topic Sentence/provides closure
To what extent does one’s culture inform the way one views others and the world?
Using evidence from the writing piece (your choice) discuss how the family culture has
either a positive and/or negative influential factor in informing the way one views
others and the world.
Topic Sentence: What your paragraph is all about
1st Support: Assertion that proves your topic sentence – positive or negative interaction
Evidence: Two specific quotes/evidence from novel to support your assertion
Commentary: Analysis of quotes/evidence. “This shows that…”
2nd Support: Assertion that proves your topic sentence – positive or negative interaction
Evidence: Two specific quotes/evidence from novel to support your assertion
Commentary: Analysis of quotes/evidence. “This shows that…”
Concluding Sentence: Connect back to Topic Sentence/provides closure
Reflect on the learning targets for today. Do you feel
you met the targets?
1. Analyze how culture affects identity and perceptions
2. Practice effective speaking and listening skills that build capacity for
collaboration/communication
3. Analyze the concept of voice in reading and writing
4. Examine and apply the elements of exposition
1. What is one thing that you completed or learned
today that you found interesting?
2. What is one thing that you feel you can improve in
future classes?