The Giver
AEC and ORQ practice rewrite
Prompt:
On a separate sheet of paper, list three
attributes that are required to be “receiver
of memory”. Identify at least one of these
attributes that Jonas possesses and use
textual evidence from the novel to support
the belief that he has this trait. Be sure to
analyze how the attribute will contribute to
Jonas’s success as the “receiver”.
First Step: Deconstruct Question!
On a separate sheet of paper, list three attributes that are required to
be “receiver of memory”. Identify at least one of these attributes that
Jonas possesses and use textual evidence from the novel to support
the belief that he has this trait. Be sure to analyze how the attribute
will contribute to Jonas’s success as the “receiver”.
Checklist:
List three traits needed to be receiver
Choose one of the traits listed that Jonas has
Give examples from text to prove Jonas has that trait
Break down and explain how this trait will help Jonas be successful
Second Step: Brainstorm
For an ORQ, you do not have much time to
respond, so briefly, list ideas for each aspect of
the checklist. Do not spend too much time on
brainstorming!
Checklist:
List three traits needed to be receiver
Choose one of the traits listed that Jonas has
Give examples from text to prove Jonas has that
trait
Break down and explain how this trait will help
Jonas be successful
Third Step: Write! Use AEC
A = assertion (topic sentence)
E = example (from the text)
C = commentary (explanation)
Remember, an ORQ answer is only about a paragraph in length (5-8 sentences)
What does AEC look like in paragraph form?
 Sentence 1: Topic sentence (assertion)
 Sentence 2: Background sentence (introducing topic – no specifics)
 Sentence 3: Signal words (according to the text OR the text states, etc)
 Sentence 4-5: Example from text (quote or paraphrasing – don’t
forget citation! Two examples are best!)
 Sentence 5-8: Explanation of example and how it proves your point
(explain example from text, do not restate it)
Reminders:
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Use word variety
Avoid first person – I, me, my (and generally second
person - you - too)
Avoid indecisive language (I think, I feel, I believe, etc)
Do not use text lingo! (bc, 4, u, &, etc)
Keep the same format as the question (only one
questions, only one response)
Commentary should be in-depth and fully
explain your textual evidence –not just restate it!
Make sure you answer all parts of the question!
Use language from the question in your response
Spell out any number ten or less
= language from
question
Answers
first part of
question in
line
Model ‘4’
(with paraphrasing examples – class practice! find the AEC strategy!)
Three attributes that Jonas was required to posses in The
Giver when he was chosen to be the Receiver of Memory are
courage, wisdom, and the ability to see beyond. Jonas possessed
Assertion
Background courage. This was very important to his career as Receiver. Textual
Signal words evidence from the book supports this. Two pieces of evidence that
support Jonas is courageous and that courage is needed to be the
Example 1 Receiver are when Jonas first asked to learn of pain and suffering and
when Jonas continued to do his job as the Receiver, despite the pain,
Example 2
suffering, and other bad feelings he had. These pieces of evidence
show that Jonas possess courage because Jonas knew, from what the
Chief Elder had said, that there would be pain. Instead of trying to
Commentary
avoid pain for as long as possible, Jonas showed courage by asking
explaining
examples
about it and feeling it early on in his training sessions. This supports
Jonas possess courage because even after suffering through a great
deal of physical and emotional pain, and knowing more is to come, he
continues with the job. This takes courage to do. These pieces of
Answer
evidence show that courage contributes to Jonas’ success as the
second part
of question, Receiver because they show that it takes courage to ask to
but relate
experience pain and courage to endure the pain that comes with
answer to
commentary being the Receiver.
Model ‘4’ (with quoted examples – your turn! find the AEC strategy!)
Three attributes needed to be the Receiver of Memory,
as stated in Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, are: bravery,
intelligence and wisdom. Jonas posses the trait of being brave.
There are many examples in the story that show Jonas being
very brave. According to the text, Jonas says, “The Chief Elder
told me, at the beginning, that the receiving of memory causes
terrible pain” (pg. 107). The text also states, “the hands came,
and the pain cam with the rough them. Jonas braced himself and
entered the memory which was torturing The Giver “ (pg.118).
These two quotes clearly prove that Jonas is brave because he
has to be brave enough to take on all of the pain he
experiences from the memories. This attribute contributes to
Jonas’ success as the Receiver because his bravery made him
able to go through all of the painful memories without giving up.
The elders chose Jonas specifically because they knew he was
brave and could withstand the pain, hence, being a successful
Receiver of Memory.