Critical Analysis 1
NAME _______________________________________
“To Build a Fire” by Jack London
Choose one of the prompts below and complete the pre-writing and writing tasks.
Option 1
Evaluate the behavior of the man in “to build a fire.” In four paragraphs, make the argument that he either did
or did not exhibit effective survival behavior. Use Gonzales’s principles for survival, as well as specific
evidence from “To Build a Fire” to support your ideas.
Option 2
If the man in “To Build a Fire” had read “Deep Survival,” might he have lived through his ordeal? In four
paragraphs, make the argument that he either would or would not have survived if he had read “Deep
Survival.” Support your answer with specific evidence from both texts.
Pre-writing
Complete the graphic organizer to help you organize your thoughts.
Introduction
Hook How will you begin your introductory paragraph in a way that will grab your reader’s attention? Record
your hook here.
Introductory Information After your hook, make sure to give the title/s and author/s of the works you will be
discussing. Give a one-sentence synopsis of each piece. Record your introductory information here.
Argument/Claim The last sentence of your introductory paragraph should be your specific claim. The claim
you will make comes from the prompt and is what your paper will be focused on proving. Your claim may not
contain a “be” verb!
Body 1
Reason You should begin each paragraph with a topic sentence clearly stating your first reason for making the
claim that you do. Record the first reason below.
Specific Examples Record two or three direct quotes you can use from each piece to provide evidence for
your reasons.
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2.
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Body 2
Reason You should begin each paragraph with a topic sentence clearly stating your first reason for making the
claim that you do. Record the first reason below.
Specific Examples Record two or three direct quotes you can use from each piece to provide evidence for
your reasons.
3.
4.
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Conclusion
Summarizing Statement Begin with a topic sentence that summarizes/restates your argument in different
words.
Recap Recap the reasons that support your argument in one sentence.
Closer End with a compelling closer – a ”so what” - make sure you tell your audience why they should care.