The Anglo Saxon time period was one of war.
Also, Anglo Saxon people relied heavily upon
their community. As a result, a theme of exile
from one’s community is often found in the
literature.
Sounds like it might meet the rubric
requirement; however, what is missing?
• Specific historical connections to the
chosen theme.
• A logical connection between historical
details and the chosen theme.
The Anglo Saxon period in England was a time of
conquest and upheaval. As a result, Anglo Saxon
people relied heavily upon the protective structure
within their community. Often times, the greatest
conflict for an Anglo Saxon villager would be a
separation and/or disconnection from that
community. It is therefore no surprise that a theme
of exile emerges from the literature of these Anglo
Saxon people.
• Now there is a logical connection between
historical details (conquest, upheaval, and the
need for community) and the chosen theme
(exile).
This theme of exile is found in The
Wanderer. Here, a man is exiled from his
village because everyone has died, and he
no longer has a lord to lead him. He,
therefore, wanders the sea in search of a
new lord and a new community to call
home.
Again, seems like it might meet the rubric
requirement; however, what is missing?
• Thorough explanation
• Specific validating quotes and line numbers
to prove ideas are correct.
This theme of exile is found in “The Wanderer.” Line nine of
the poem paints a picture of a man who is exiled from his
village because everyone has died, and he no longer has a
lord to lead him: “Lonely and wretched I wailed my woe. No
man living, no comrade left.” His exile is emphasized
through the imagery of his grief in line forty three when the
speaker declares, “bitterer then is the bane of his
wretchedness, the longing for loved one: his grief is
renewed.” . . . . . . . .
•Now there is a clear focus and a clear explanation.
•Also, there are validating quotes (with line numbers) to
substantiate the idea that the poem, “The Wanderer” is a
good illustration of the them of exile.
Say It
Explain It
Validate It
A WRITING MODEL
Say It . . . In a paragraph
 The first goal of any piece of
writing:
 State your message (Say It)
 Example: Many paragraphs are
built around a topic sentence, a
single sentence that directly
states the paragraph’s main
idea. The other sentences
support, explain, or illustrate
the topic sentence. The topic
sentence STATES your idea.
Say It . . . In a paragraph
 To write an effective topic
sentence, analyze the group of
details and ideas that you plan to
include in a paragraph, and come
up with a statement that sums up
the common features of the details
and ideas.
 For example, if you were writing a
paragraph about the number of
careers involved with working on
the Internet, you might write the
topic sentence below.
 SAMPLE TOPIC SENTENCE: There
are a wide range of possible careers
related to the Internet.
 You just STATED your point.
Say It . . . In a composition
 This also applies to writing
essays and compositions.
 The first paragraph, the
introduction, focuses your
reader on a particular topic.
 Here, in the introduction, you
STATE (say) your main idea
for the entire essay.
 Thesis statement
Say It . . . In a composition
 A thesis STATES (SAYS)the key
point or argument you wish to
make about your topic.
 To create a thesis statement,
read your grouped notes
carefully. Decide on the most
important ideas you have
gathered, and summarize them.
 Sample Thesis Statements:
 The space program of the 1960’s
helped to unite Americans.
 The childhood of Queen Elizabeth I
of England had a great impact on
decisions she made as a ruler.
Explain It . . . In paragraphs
 Your topic sentence
contains the paragraph’s
main idea and guides the
rest of that paragraph.
 The remaining sentences
in the paragraph should
develop, EXPLAIN, or
illustrate the topic
sentence. These are called
supporting sentences.
Explain It …… In compositions
 Your BODY paragraphs
provide all the EXPLAINING
needed to break-down your
thesis into understandable
parts.
 A great tool for organizing the
elaboration and explanation
found in your body paragraphs
is the use of an outline.
Validate It . . In all writing
 Validating something is
equal to Proving it to be
true, accurate, worthwhile,
etc…
 It is simply not enough to
state you point and
explain it . . . .
 You need to VALIDATE
(prove) its worth.
Validate It . . In all writing
 Validation comes from
citing outside sources that
prove your points and your
explanation to be true or
worthwhile.
 When writing about
literature, validation will
come from:
 The text we are studying
 Literary criticism
 Other outside research
Say it–Explain it–Validate it
example
Macbeth’s true self
acknowledges that
killing Duncan will
Here you are stating (SAY it)
serve no good purpose.
you main point clearly and
directly
Say it–Explain it–Validate it
example
While alone, Macbeth
decides he will not kill
Duncan because it
would be disloyal and
eventually damn his
Here you are explaining your
eternal soul to hell
point specifically as it
SHOWS how he is not
listening to his moral
conscious.
Say it–Explain it–Validate it
example
In Act 1, scene 7 Macbeth
laments, “But in these cases
We still have judgment here,
that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which,
being taught, return
To plague th' inventor: this
even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients
of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips.” He realizes
his actions will have eternal
consequences.
Here you are VALIDATING
your ideas with support
from the text. This proves
your ideas to be true and
worthy.
Say it–Explain it–Validate it
example
Macbeth’s true self acknowledges that killing Duncan will
serve no good purpose. Part of Macbeth’s problem is that
he will not listen to his moral conscience. While alone,
Macbeth decides he will not kill Duncan because it would
be disloyal and eventually damn his eternal soul to hell. In
Act 1, scene 7 Macbeth laments, “But in these cases / We
still have judgment here, that we but teach / Bloody
instructions, which, being taught, return / To plague th'
inventor: this even-handed justice / Commends the
ingredients of our poisoned chalice / To our own lips.” He
realizes his actions will have eternal consequences.