Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Section: 12.1 12.2
Modern World History
1.3 A Long Way Gone Essay
A Long Way Gone
Question: Can we blame Ishmael for the atrocities that he
committed as a child soldier? Journal your thoughts below and
draw on specific information from the book where possible.
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A Long Way Gone: Group Work
In your small group you are responsible for answering one of the questions below using
your books and summer reading journals:
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Group 1: How have Sierra Leone and its people been changed by war? (this
context might help us explain Ishmael’s experience)
Groups 2-5: Use your assigned section to find evidence to help us think about the
guiding question: Can we blame Ishmael for the atrocities he committed as a child
soldier?
o Group 2: Chapters 1-8
o Group 3: Chapters 9-12
o Group 4: Chapters 13-17
o Group 5: Chapters 18-21
Your Task
a) Elect a scribe and 1-2 reporters
b) Find 2-3 relevant pieces of evidence in your section to answer the question
a. Write the page number and a short description of each piece of evidence
b. Discuss the significance of each piece of evidence
c) Prepare your main claim (s) (e.g. “Although he was young, Ishmael can be blamed
for the atrocities he committed because x, y, z”)
d) Your group’s reporters will have 3 minutes to PRESENT to the rest of the class the
following:
a. Your main claim (s)
b. Your best 2 pieces of evidence and an explanation of how they support your
claims
c. You must guide us to the text and read DRT aloud
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A Long Way Gone:
In-Class Essay
In your first class next week, you will be assessed on your knowledge of the novel by
writing an in-class essay in response to the following question:
Is Ishmael to blame for the atrocities that he committed as a
child soldier?
Your essay should have at least 5 paragraphs. You will have the whole class period to type a
response. The only aids you may have out are the OUTLINE that you made over the
weekend and your book. I will be checking your outline to ensure that you have not
attempted to write out paragraphs.
Homework Prep
This weekend you will complete an OUTLINE of your essay. Your outline should have:
o A thesis statement
o Your main claim in body paragraph 1
o Each piece of evidence that you plan on using (SRT or DRT) to support that
claim
o Your main claim in body paragraph 2
o Each piece of evidence that you plan on using (SRT or DRT) to support that
claim
o Etc.
You must use at least ONE piece of DRT in your essay. Choose your DRT well and
make sure it emphasizes one of your key points.
Essay Structure: You will be held accountable for the elements of essay organization that
you have learned.
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MODERN WORLD HISTORY
Name:
__________________
A Long Way Gone:
In-Class Essay
Date:
____________
Section: 12.1 12.2
IDEAS

Provides thoughtful response to the essential question with clear
“so what?”
 Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the book
 Insightful analysis of character and his historical context
 Thesis is clearly-stated and has appropriate scope for essay
SUB-TOTAL
/20 PTS
ORGANIZATION
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At least 5 paragraphs
Includes well-structured introduction and conclusion
Paragraphs are well-structured with analysis and evidence
sequenced logically
 Transitions are smooth
SUB-TOTAL
/15 PTS
STYLE
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Clear and concise language
 Author’s voice is apparent throughout the essay
SUB-TOTAL
/5 PTS
FOCUS AREA
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Evidence chosen supports the argument being presented and is
fully analyzed
 DRT is relevant and purposefully-chosen
SUB-TOTAL
/10 PTS
CONVENTIONS – GRADE 12, QUARTER 1
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Spelling & Basic Typos
Capitalization
Complete Sentences
Quotations
Homophones
ERRORS/PAGE:
GRAND TOTAL
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Subject-Verb Agreement
Verb Tense
Pronoun Usage
Possessives
Double Negatives
POINTS SUBTRACTED:
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Commas – Series
Commas – Compound
Commas – Complex
Commas – Appositives
/50 PTS
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A Long Way Gone: In-Class Essay
Helpful Outline Organizer
Note: If you have received this helpful organizer, the minimum requirement that you must
meet in your in-class essay is writing a thesis statement and supporting that thesis with at
least 3 body paragraphs with evidence. I am mostly interested in your knowledge of the book
and for that reason you may choose to be concise and eliminate a full introduction and conclusion
if you are worried about time.
Thesis
statement:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Topic sentence
1:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Evidence:
How does this evidence connect to the question?
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Topic
sentence:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Evidence:
How does this evidence connect to the question?
Topic
sentence:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Evidence:
How does this evidence connect to the question?
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