Analysis using evidence
General Pattern
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Topic Sentence
Transition into evidence (context)
Evidence from text
Analysis of evidence
Transition into next piece of evidence
Evidence from text
Analysis of evidence
Concluding sentence/Transition to next
Poem
Much Madness is divinest Sense - (620)
Much Madness is divinest Sense To a discerning Eye Much Sense - the starkest Madness ’Tis the Majority
In this, as all, prevail Assent - and you are sane Demur - you’re straightway dangerous And handled with a Chain -Emily Dickinson
Model
Dickinson believes that society is afraid of those who do
not follow societal norms. Society sees those people and
their actions as “Madness” and treats them as
“straightway dangerous.” By comparing the way society
treats those who are unconventional to “handl[ing
them]…with a chain” Dickinson asserts that society views
people with different views as lunatics, or even animals.
Dickinson is of the belief that this treatment is
unnecessary as their action and beliefs are not
aggressive; she describes their choices of difference as
“Demur[ing],” indicating those people are simply not
following along with the crowd.
Model paragraph to follow
Dickinson seems to appreciate those who deviate from
the expected. One of the examples that shows her support is when she
states that “Much Madness is divinest Sense—” indicating that which
society sees as lunacy, is in fact truth. The use of the word “divinest” to
describe the “sense” of these people shows her admiration by using a
word that denotes inspiration from God and connotes that it is of
the highest quality. She asserts that those with “a discerning
Eye” can recognize the untraditional views and beliefs as
insight and truth as these people have the ability to “discern”
to analyze and recognize those views for what they are,
“divinest Sense” and truth. In this sense she compliments
those who look beyond the obvious and those who “demur”
from society’s expectations.
Let’s try this together
Instructions for joining a new society
by Herberto Padilla
One: Be optimistic.
Two: Be well turned out, courteous, obedient.
(Must have made the grade in sports.)
And finally, walk
As every member does:
One step forward
And two or three back;
But always applauding, applauding.
With this evidence what could we argue the theme is?
_____(Topic Sentence goes here)_______ The title “Instructions for joining a new
society” implies that the act of going somewhere new is difficult or confusing enough
that one might need instructions. Padilla includes this to_____(what does this show
us?)_______. The phrase telling everyone to “walk/as every member does” shows his
belief that____(what does this mean?)_________. Padilla thinks this is ridiculous as
“every member” does the same thing and even though it is flawed, everyone must join
them and take “one step forward/and two or three back.” This shows his belief that
society is unwilling to acknowledge the errors they make and if one wants to be
accepted, they need to make the same errors. Padilla asserts that not only should a
new member of society make the same mistakes, but they should also believe they are
doing well and make sure they are “always applauding” themselves and each other.
This shows his belief that society is ______(overall message)______.
Can we find solid textual evidence?
Heberto Padilla argues that when one joins a society they must be careful
and make sure they are likeable. Transition & Evidence that shows this .
One must make sure that the members of the society view them as
acceptable in order to succeed. The poem also shows his belief that you
cannot question a society or its members when you join it Transition &
Evidence that shows this. The word choice shows both what the society
values, but also what is expected of a new member. The choice of “
specific word choice ” and “ specific word choice ” show his belief that
this is ridiculous as “1st word choice” is a word/phrase that is _(what is
the connotation, the emotion, the symbolic meaning?) and “2nd word
choice” is a word/phrase that is _(what is the connotation, the emotion,
the symbolic meaning?). Together these elements of the poem show
Padilla’s belief that one must be careful in joining a new society as society
is judgmental and does not welcome people with different beliefs and
values.
Now it’s all you. 