Dr. Pierre
Forest Park High School
Writing Workshop
February 3, 2015
manes.pierre@clayton.k12.ga.us
Student Definition
 Using the sentence stem below, write a definition for
what you believe effective writing is.
Actual Definition
Effective Writing……..
 To communicate specific information or ideas,
utilizing formats, language, and content relevant to a
topic.
CCC’s of Writing
 Claim


Central Claim = Thesis
Supporting Claim = Topic Sentence
C
C C’s of Writing
C
CC ’s of Writing
Commentary

Student Thinking & Analysis
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
?
LET’S PRACTICE
 Claim
 Commentary
This acronym will help you solidify the
idea that in order to successfully
support a claim, writers must include
and commentary.
Sample Writing Prompt
 Read the poem, “A Dream Deferred” by Langston
Hughes and write a paragraph analyzing how the
author uses a specific literary device to effectively
convey his message about dreams.
SKILLS
KNOWLEDGE
Read
Poem
Write
Analytical Paragraph
Analyze
Literary Device
Sample Writing Prompt
 Read the poem, “A
Dream Deferred” by
Langston Hughes and
write a paragraph
analyzing how the
author uses a specific
literary device to
effectively convey his
message about dreams.
Purpose
Audience
Content
To analyze
Anyone
Use of a literary device
in the poem “A Dream
Deferred”
A Dream Deferred
by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore-- And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Sample Paragraph
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message
about the varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In
stanza two, Hughes appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a
sore and then run?” This is an extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already
attached with negative feelings because it looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine
exposing that already hideous sight makes one wants to immediately vomit. But Hughes
does this on purpose, because he wants the reader to connect this repulsive image with the
thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface no matter the
mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when he
states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one
which is not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a
long period of time; it’s so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown
away. In contrast, this pungent scent also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing
on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to be sending the message that even though
life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in making our dreams a reality.
To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he had to deal
with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. All in all, Langston’s message about the process of dreaming was made
very clear through his strong use of imagery.
Sample Paragraph
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message
about the varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In
stanza two, Hughes appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a
sore and then run?” This is an extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already
attached with negative feelings, because it looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine
exposing that already hideous sight makes one want to immediately vomit. But Hughes does
this one purpose, because he wants the reader to connect this repulsive image with the
thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface no matter the
mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when he
states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one
which is not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a
long period of time; it’s so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown
away. In contrast, this pungent scent also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing
on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to be sending the message that even though
life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in making our dreams a reality.
To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he had to deal
with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. All in all, Langston’s message about process of dreaming was made very
clear through his strong use of imagery.
Sample Paragraph
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message
about the varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In
stanza two, Hughes appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a
sore and then run?” This is an extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already
attached with negative feelings because it looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine puss
oozing out of that already hideous sight makes one want to immediately vomit. But Hughes
does this one purpose because he wants the reader to connect this repulsive image with the
thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface no matter the
mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when he
states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one
which is not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a
long period of time; it’s so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown
away. In contrast, this pungent scent also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing
on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to be sending the message that even though
life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in making our dreams a reality.
To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he had to deal
with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. All in all, Langston’s message about process of dreaming was made very
clear through his strong use of imagery.
Sample Paragraph
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message
about the varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In
stanza two, Hughes appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a
sore and then run?” This is an extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already
attached with negative feelings because it looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine
exposing that already hideous sight makes one want to immediately vomit. But Hughes does
this one purpose because he wants the reader to connect this repulsive image with the
thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface no matter the
mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when he
states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one
which is not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a
long period of time; it’s so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown
away. In contrast, this pungent scent also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing
on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to be sending the message that even though
life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in making our dreams a reality.
To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he had to deal
with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. All in all, Langston’s message about process of dreaming was made very
clear through his strong use of imagery.
Sample Paragraph
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message
about the varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In
stanza two, Hughes appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a
sore and then run?” This is an extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already
attached with negative feelings because it looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine
exposing that already hideous sight makes one want to immediately vomit. But Hughes does
this one purpose because he wants the reader to connect this repulsive image with the
thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface no matter the
mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when he
states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one
which is not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a
long period of time; it’s so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown
away. In contrast, this pungent scent also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing
on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to be sending the message that even though
life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in making our dreams a reality.
To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he had to deal
with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. All in all, Langston’s message about process of dreaming was made very
clear through his strong use of imagery.
Sample Paragraph
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message
about the varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In
stanza two, Hughes appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a
sore and then run?” This is an extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already
attached with negative feelings because it looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine puss
ing out of that already hideous sight makes one want to immediately vomit. But Hughes
does this one purpose because he wants the reader to connect this repulsive image with the
thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface no matter the
mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when he
states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one
which is not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a
long period of time; it’s so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown
away. In contrast, this pungent scent also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing
on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to be sending the message that even though
life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in making our dreams a reality.
To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he had to deal
with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. All in all, Langston’s message about process of dreaming was made very
clear through his strong use of imagery.
Reflection
 What patterns do you notice within the student
sample?
 Was the writer effective in his/her approach? Why or
why not?
 What would you do to make this paragraph better?
Revision
 Revisit your text markings.
 Find another example of imagery in the poem.
 Revise the sample paragraph to include the example
you found as Claim Evidence.
 In addition, be sure to add Commentary as needed.
Revision
Langston Hughes, the author of “A Dream Deferred”, conveys a clear message about the
varying complexities of dreams, and he effectively does so by using imagery. In stanza two, Hughes
appeals to the reader’s sense of sight when he writes “…or fester like a sore and then run?” This is an
extremely gross thing to envision! A festering sore is already attached with negative feelings because it
looks ugly and unappealing, but to imagine exposing that already hideous sight makes one want to
immediately vomit. But Hughes does this one purpose because he wants the reader to connect this
repulsive image with the thought that a dream can’t stay hidden; instead, at some point it will resurface
no matter the mess that has buried it. In addition, Hughes continues to use imagery in stanza two when
he states, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” This line appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, one which is
not so pleasant. This odor arises when meat has been without refrigeration for a long period of time; it’s
so unpleasant that at this point it is useless and has to be thrown away. In contrast, this pungent scent
also confirms the new creation of airborne life landing on the exposed piece of flesh. Langston seems to
be sending the message that even though life hands us stinky situations, those experiences are helpful in
making our dreams a reality. To illustrate further, Martin Luther King Jr. was the man of many dreams; he
had to deal with the stinky parts of life. Although he endured the hardships, his dreams became reality
that we live today. ________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________ All in all,
Langston’s message about process of dreaming was made very clear through his strong use of imagery.