Timed Writing Strategies

							Frederick Douglass Prompt
Read the Prompt
 Underline important ideas that you will need to note
  in your essay.
  1845 autobiography
  syntax, figurative language, detail
  third paragraph
  distinguish
  rhetorical purpose
  passage as a whole
 Understand the verbs: noting, identify, show how this
  difference
First 10 minutes
 Read slowly marking the text
 Number the paragraphs
 Look for repetition, parallel structure,
 changes in tone, syntax.
 Mark the text citing rhetorical strategies/devices
 Circle important words/images
 Make note of the author’s organization in each
  paragraph.
Brainstorm
 What is the author’s rhetorical purpose in this
  passage?
 Why did he write this passage?
 What is his argument?
 How do I know this?
Planning
 Why does the 3rd paragraph stand out?
 Look for DIDLS (Diction, Imagery, Details, Language,
  and Syntax)
 What is the contrast between the 1st, 2nd and 4th
  paragraphs to the 3rd paragraph?
 Why did the author choose to make this contrast?
  What is he trying to argue for or against?
Writing your            1st   paragraph
 Develop a thesis statement with the title of the piece,
  the author’s name followed by the argument you want
  to prove.
 In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an
  American Slave, Frederick Douglass describes….
 Use powerful active verbs (see handout)
 Be sure to set up your specific argument: The author
  utilizes animal imagery, contrasts the freeman to that
  of a slave, and changes the pedantic tone to that of a
  desperation and a cry for help.
Writing the body paragraphs
 Create topic sentences that will lead the reader into your
  argument. Douglass’ metaphorical imagery describes the harsh
  life of a brute slave that is dehumanized to the stature of an
  animal.
 Be sure to cite the text for examples to support your argument.
 Discuss the EFFECT for the overall passage. Why does Douglass
  utilize this rhetorical strategy? How does it effect meaning? The
  metaphorical imagery emphasizes the ugly atrocities that the
  slaves’ mental and physical selves were subjected to and
  dehumanized their lives to the relative unimportance of an
  animal. The animal imagery serves to remind us that slaves were
  not worthy of freedom despite their ability to think and emote
  about their tragic status in society.
Do’s and Don’ts
 Do underline the title of a major work such as a book.
  Short works are in quotations.
 Do use the author’s last name to discuss them as the
  author. Don’t use FRED or FREDERICK
 Do not start off a paragraph with a quote. Topic
  sentences are like road markers and lead the reader in
  the right direction.
 Do use several paragraphs if you intend to discuss a
  new rhetorical device, unless it is under the umbrella
  of figurative language or syntax.
Do’s and Don’ts
 Use the active tense to discuss literature. Frederick
  Douglass DESCRIBES, EXPLAINS, SUPPORTS.
 Avoid vague and generalized statements: Examples-
 How bad the life of a slave really is
 Gives the reader a clear image to create
 Makes the reader feel for him
 Douglass explains the situation that he was in and
  describing his situation
Do’s and Don’ts
 Avoid passive tense (eliminate TO BE verbs): is, are,
  was, were, am, become, became, being
 Use powerful, specific diction: Douglass was in a hard
  place being a slave. Douglass’ harsh conditions as a
  slave. Douglass’ experiences atrocities as a slave.
 ANALYZE and scrutinize your word choice. (Note*
  The following are awkward sentences) Douglass was in
  a bad time of his life. He realizes he shouldn’t be a
  slave. Douglass has sad and depressing thoughts.
  Slavery is bad.