Mrs. Fabian's Eastie English

Independent Reading Analysis Exam
Paragraph 1- Introduction (20 points)
The author (student) begins with, “In literature as in life…” and states the claim from a general world view.  Then, restates the claim using the book as a specific example. Finally, the student tells the important plot or character details that would need to be understood by the reader to follow along with the evidence.
Ex) In literature as in life, mothers need to make tough choices about how much discipline vs. freedom to allow their children. Sometimes making the wrong choice has deadly consequences. In All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald, Ma gives her children too much freedom and it leads to many deaths. Helen is a single mother with ten children in the projects of South Boston during forced busing. They are surrounded by violence, drugs, racism, and gang life.  Despite these dangers, Ma sets very few rules. She allows her children to come and go as they wish, to deal drugs from her home, and to store guns in the house.  By the end of the book, four of her children are dead. This could have been prevented if she she gave them less freedom and more discipline.

Paragraphs 2-6 (10 points each. Quote required for each.)
In each of these 5 paragraphs the author has made a statement in their own words regarding their claim, and has then backed up that statement with evidence from the book (including pg #). So each middle paragraph is a paragraph built around a quote as evidence. The author’s statement comes before the quote and the reader knows all they need to know to understand the situation before they get to the quote. Ex: Kevin was always a reckless child, and early on he begins to steal and lie in order to trick people into giving him money for groceries and other things the family needs. When Ma discovers this she doesn’t punish him. Instead she takes the money and praises him. pg 27, “Ma took the money, laughing, telling him he could have fed a whole family during the depression.” This is an instance where Ma could have chosen discipline, but instead she allowed him the freedom to continue this behavior. Later, Kevin’s crimes get more serious as he becomes a drug dealer for Whitey Bulger.
The strength of the quotes should build so that the “meat” paragraph is before the conclusion.

Paragraph 7-Conclusion (10 points)
The closing paragraph should recapture the strongest part of the argument, and then bring the claim back to world view, creating a world lesson or observation for the reader.
Ex: Ma may have felt she was helping her children to become mature and to make decisions for themselves, but in reality she stood by and neglected to make the important decisions that needed to be made. Because she did not make those decisions and model the values necessary, her children did not make those decisions either. Ultimately, two of her criminal sons were murdered, her addicted daughter suffered life long disabilities, and her mentally ill son chose to end his own life. With discipline and supervision these issues could have been avoided. As a teenager I am often asking for more freedom, but having read this book, I understand why a parents needs to respond no- and to stay firm in their discipline and oversight of their children. I might not like it but I’m grateful to not be facing the everyday violence Ma’s children faced as a result of their free choices.
Required Pre-Work attached: (20 points)