Interpretive Assignment:

What is an interpretive essay?

When you make an interpretation, you are making a claim about something and supporting that answer with an explanation---

This explanation (evidence) is tied to specific moments or lines of a text, movie, poem, etc.

Today we will begin our work with an interpretive writing assignment.

This work will sound familiar to you because of our previous discussion.

Basically, our end goal is to write an interpretation to the following question:

What is Doyle's message in "Joyas Voladoras"?

This response will require 1) a clear interpretive thesis, a claim, and 2) multiple pieces of evidence to support your essay.

Today's Goal

• Come up with a clear thesis that answers "What is Doyle's message in Joyas Voladoras?"
• Identify multiple pieces of evidence to support your thesis (claim).

Thesis?

Thesis

A thesis is...

• a statement that someone wants to discuss or prove
• Ex: Doyle's message in "Joyas Voladoras"is that the heart is source of strength and weakness.

Additionally, a thesis statement...

• contains a subject and a claim.
• Subj: "Joyas Voladoras"
• Claim: the heart is a source of strength and weakness

Subject + claim =
Thesis

How do I write it?

First...

• Consider your subject.
• Form an idea.
• Then, CLEARLY state it.

A CLEARLY stated thesis is

• Short and Simple
• Usually 1 or 2 sentences

I believe Doyle’s message in “Joyas Voladoras” is that life is beautiful and we should make the most of it.

Next...

• Check to see if your thesis is wishy washy.
• A thesis should be declarative--a clear statement.

Wishy Washy?

Wishy Washy

• Lacking Decisiveness
• Not having or showing strong ideas or beliefs about something
• confusing and not clear.

Doyle's Message in "Joyas Voladoras" is that no matter how long or short life is you should just enjoy your life and appreciate every moment because we do not live forever.

Doyle's Message in "Joyas Voladoras" is that we should appreciate every moment of our finite lives.

Recap

• Sub + claim = Thesis
• Short and Simple
• Not Wishy Washy
• A clear statement--Declarative!

What is Doyle's message in "Joyas Voladoras"?

Introductory Paragraph

Introductory Paragraph

• A hook/rhetorical question
• Background information
• A thesis that you will discuss/prove

Hook/Lead

Hook/Rhetorical Question Examples

• How much do you know about hummingbirds?
• As you are reading this sentence your life is getting shorter.
• What is Brian Doyle's "Joyas Voladoras" essay really about?

Background Info.

Background Info. Examples

• In the essay “Joyas Voladoras,” Brian Doyle writes about a hummingbird’s and a tortoise's heart. Basically, he describes that hummingbird’s heart beats fast for only two years whereas the tortoise's beats slower but for a hundred years.

Thesis/Claim

Thesis/Claim Examples

• Doyle's message in "Joyas Voladoras" is that you only have so much time to live so spend it how you like.

In Sum/Purpose

• Hook/Rhetorical Question (grab reader's attention)
• Background Info (Orient the reader)
• Thesis/Claim (assert what you will discuss/prove)

Body Paragraphs

One way to envision a paragraph is as a “complete MEAL,” with the 4 components including a...

...including a M.E.A.L.

• Main idea
• Evidence
• Analysis and
• Link/Last thought back to the larger claim.

The Main Idea (M)

• The main idea is the paragraph's central focus--Topic Sentence.
• Main Ideas should connect/relate to your thesis.

Along these lines, think of a paragraph's main idea as a piece to a puzzle.

the complete picture of a puzzle is your thesis.

Main Ideas are tiny pieces, or leading sentences in a paragraph, that tell a reader "this is a reason why I came up with my claim."

"What made you think that?"

• The true meaning of this story is that our time on earth is limited so enjoy it how you want to.
• To begin, Brian Doyle brings up the meaning of the essay when he talks about two different animals.
• Moving forward, Doyle reveals his message that our time is limited when he talks about hummingbirds.

Evidence (E)

• Evidence is the specific details (proof) that support a main idea

Your evidence could be information from a text---it could be a quotation or paraphrase from a reading. It could also be an anecdote or personal experience.

Analysis (A)

• Evidence, however, should not be left to speak for itself.
• Therefore, evidence should be analyzed, or explained, for why it matters or how it supports your claim.

Link/Last Thoughts (L)

• A link helps launch your writing into the next paragraph and ties back to your thesis in a larger paper.
• A last thought wraps up your point, leaving a reader know he/she understands the focus of the paragraph.

Review: M.E.A.L.

• Main Idea--Topic Sentence
• Evidence to support
• Analysis (of "why")
• Link/Last thought

Writer's Worshop

• Write Paragraph
• Write your name on the Board.
• Look for someone who needs a partner
• Trade paragraphs, Give Feedback. Revise.

Conclusion

To Begin...

• Conclusion paragraphs must restate or rephrase your thesis.
• It's also helpful to give a signal that the end is here.

Restate/Rephrase Example

• (T) The true message of Doyle’s essay is about realizing how short life is in order to live it the way we choose.

Restate/Rephrase Example

• (C) All things considered, Doyle’s message in “Joyas Voladoraz” is one that encourages people to live a life they are happy with by first realizing our time on earth is a swift existence.
• Variations: In sum, In Conclusion

Next...

• Conclusions must summarize your best evidence, which confidently connect to YOUR argument
• They also state why your ideas matter or have implications beyond the classroom (real consideration)

Summary of Evidence/So What? Example

• This message is clearly evident when he describes the limits of your hearts and when he urges us to live it either like a hummingbird or tortoise. Given modern life is full of mundane digital distractions, Brian Doyle’s “Joyas Voladoras” is a potent reminder to be wise with our time lest we lose it forever.

To Summarize

• Signal an End
• Restate/Rephrase Thesis
• Summarize Evidence
• Also tell the reader why your ideas matter. How do your ideas connect to the real world?