English 12, BHS, Mr. Hill
Name:
Date:
NOTE: Per district requirement, you must complete this three page essay in order to receive credit
for English 12. Failure to complete a full three pages will result in forfeiture of English 12 credit.
Prompt: ​In a literary analysis of two​ This ​ I Believe essays, you will analyze what the author
values, create a thematic statement and analyze the author’s voice based on one of the
following from the piece: diction, syntax, or figurative while providing at least two pieces
of cited evidence in each body paragraph.
Due Date:​ November 3rd at 11:59PM (1st hour: Nov. 4​th​ at 11:59PM)
Requirements:
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​Follow MLA Format: 12 pt. Times New Roman Font
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​3 pages minimum (900 words in 12 point, Times New Roman font)
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​2 pieces of textual evidence per body paragraph minimum
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​Share with [email protected]
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​Save as: ​Last Name, First Name. Voice Analysis. Xth hour
Introduction:
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​Hook: Introduce your essay with an attention getter
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​What are values and why is it important to have them?
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​Why is it important to show others what is important to me and why is it important to care
about what others value?
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​Summarize the purpose of TIB Essays
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​Thesis Statement:
Body Paragraphs 1 and 2.
~Write a topic sentence introducing the author and the title of the essay.
~Summarize what the author values
These are the broad, general categories like family, success, kindness, and
creativity that inform the author’s “This I Believe” statement.
~Give a thematic statement.
This a summary of the specific contents of the essay: how the author shares his
or her values by writing about his or her life and experiences.
~Provide textual evidence to support author’s values and thematic summary.
After this quote, break it down for your reader: explain what the quote is saying
and how it explains the author’s values.
~Discuss how the author achieves a unique voice through one of one or more of the
following: diction, figurative language, or syntax. Describe the effect this has on the
reader.
Remember to make a
​ claim or claims about that voice by d
​ escribing it with
adjectives.
~Provide textual evidence (quotes) that shows the author using diction, syntax and/or figurative
language to achieve an effective voice.
~Write a closing sentence summarizing for your reader what you have claimed and proven
about the author’s voice in this paragraph.
Body Paragraph 3
~​Write a topic sentence naming the two essays and their authors and stating briefly
which has the more effective voice and why.
~What gives essay 1 a strong, unique voice? In other words, what makes the language
memorable, striking, resonant?
~What gives essay 2 a strong, unique voice? In other words, what makes the language
memorable, striking, resonant?
~Of the two, which voice is the most distinctive? Or which voice fits its essay better? Or
which voice gives a more vivid sense of the writer’s personality?
~Give your reader the reason for your choice using evidence from the text of the essay
you chose.
~Write a closing sentence summarizing for your reader what you have claimed and
proven about the two authors’ voices in this paragraph
Conclusion:
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​Restate your thesis
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​Summarize why each essay is effective in achieving a unique voice (2-3 sentences)
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​Implications: Why is this important? What can we learn from other individuals and their
values?
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​Closing Statement: Tie back into your hook!