WOD Take 2
Perry High School
English 9
Directions
The following prompt is based on “Oranges”, “Spotlight”, “Eleven” and “The Scarlet Ibis” as well as our quarter
theme: “Coming of Age as a Teenager.” The prompt requires you to synthesize a variety of sources into a
coherent, well-written essay. Synthesis refers to combining the sources and your position to form a cohesive,
supported argument and accurately citing sources. Your argument should be central; the sources should
support this argument. Avoid summarizing the sources.
*Remember to attribute both direct (within the sentence) and indirect (parenthetical at the end of the
sentence) citations.
Background Information
Ninth grade marks many important transitions. Whether through physical changes (changing schools, moving
to a new area, growing older) or emotional changes (new friends or new teachers), each student “comes of
age”. “Coming of age” usually occurs over a period of time, but there are often key incidents that individuals
can point to as significant milestones in their coming-of-age experience.
Prompt
Think about the ways you have changed as you have gotten older and become more mature. Using the four
sources from our narrative unit, write an essay in which you agree or disagree the quote below:
“Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had, and what you’ve learned from them, and
less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.”
You may refer to the sources by the titles below:
“Oranges” (Soto)
“Eleven” (Cisneros)
“Spotlight” (Anderson)
“First Love” (Hurst)
Name: ______________________________ Period: ______________________ Teacher: _________________________
WOD Pre-Write Sheet
Circle one: Timed
Prompt: Think about the ways you have changed as you
have gotten older and become more mature. Using the
four sources from our narrative unit, write an essay in
which you agree or disagree the quote below:
“Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences
you’ve had, and what you’ve learned from them, and less
to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.”
Untimed
DISSECT THE PROMPT
R(ole):
A(udience):
F(orm):
T(opic):
Read AND Annotate All Possible Sources
Thesis Statement:
List possible vocabulary words that you might include in your essay:
Textual Evidence – Decide which quotes you plan on including in your essay and include parenthetical citations (essay
must include at least one quote from each source (2 per body paragraph):
Body Paragraph 1 _________________________
Body Paragraph 2 _______________________
Quote 1:
Quote 1:
Quote 2:
Quote 2:
Essay Reference Sheet
INTRO PARAGRAPH:
__ Hook
__ Optional follow-up sentence related to hook
__ Thesis statement
__ Optional 1-3 follow-up sentences to further explain thesis statement
2-3 BODY PARAGRAPHS:
__ Topic sentence
__ Textual Evidence - Embed quote and include parenthetical citation
__ 1-2 analysis sentences to explain evidence and how it supports the argument/thesis statement
__ Textual Evidence - Embed quote and include parenthetical citation
__ 1-2 analysis sentences to explain evidence and how it supports the argument/thesis statement
__ Conclusion sentence
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH:
__ Re-stated thesis statement
__ Final thoughts (1-2 sentences)
MLA FORMAT
__ Heading on top left, double spaced (Name/teacher/class/date)
__ Running header on top right corner on all pages (Last name/page #)
__ Title for essay (no bold, underline, or italics)
__ If typed, double spaced, size 12 font
VOCABULARY
__ 3-5 Vocabulary words highlighted (Tier III)
__ Power verbs to introduce textual evidence (Tier II)
Formal Academic Writing Reminders:
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Omit the personal pronouns “You”
Avoid contractions (can’t, shouldn’t)
Use formal diction (avoid cliché and idioms)
Use appropriate punctuation, grammar, and spelling
Use transitions between thoughts and body paragraphs