!01Martel+Media+Essay


 * Martel Media Essay - ** //handouts and resources//

The Writing Process | Writing Resources | Analysis | News Article Databases | Sample Essays

**Final Submission Order (Print Copy package - use binder clip and staple each section)** **1) Originality Report** (from Turnitin - has your name and percentage and excerpt matches on it) **3) Final Draft** (MLA formatted - use template - with **Works Cited** - use easybib and green guide to assist); **4)** Copy (photocopied/typed) of **Passage from Novel + Copy of News Article** showing URL and source information **5) Edited Drafts** (peer and self - shows more than just mechanics [spelling and grammar] edits - click here). **6) Outline and brainstorming** (notecards if used)
 * 2) Rubric ** (see below - fill this out with your name, title etc. prior to submission)

**Final Rubric: **

**The Writing Process**
 * Sign up for your topic and news article here.
 * Familiarize yourself with the Fundamentals of Essay Writing here, and the form we are using - the Expository Essay here.

Explore how Martel makes "art imitate life" or teaches readers a life lesson" through the novel __Life of Pi__, by constructing a close analysis of **one** 150-word (maximum) passage from the novel and references to **one**news article from a library database (no older than 2006).

Sample issues:


 * **trauma of experiencing a shipwreck** or disaster (connect to Costa Concordia shipwreck),
 * **post traumatic stress disorder** (coping with this for all types of events, but mostly involving disaster)
 * **animal rights issues and zoos** (see Metro Toronto Zoo and elephants),
 * **bullying in schools**: consider how Pi was mistreated and his coping mechanism. Connect to students who are targetted in today's schools
 * **zoology** (study of animal and its relevance today)


 * click on the Novel Unit link on the right panel and sign up for your topic and article on our spreadsheet. Make sure that this is a **NEWS** article and not an essay from one of the sources listed on the Novel Unit page at the bottom (remember it must be no older than 2006, preferably Canadian but that is not mandatory.
 * Find the link to **Review the writing process** by browsing to mistergo.wikispaces.com >> writing support; see in particular the **sample MLA essay** and formulating a sample thesis

**Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:** The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.** - //Notice the use of parallelism here (aim for this in your writing)// **
 * Use the graphic organizer for Martel's 5 paragraph essay (on Novel Unit page)
 * Vocab for next Tuesday's Content Test (character traits, major plot points) will be posted soon. Feel free to use reading guides and this summary, but you must be familiar with **lines** from the text).

** Step #1 .** Begin **brainstorming** by **analyzing your passage** for links to the article and **noting any elements of the story** that stand out. Next, **analyze the news article** for any links to the passage and notable points. Be sure to record all source information.

**Hint:** Try putting each idea on a notecard so that you can arrange and gather them later. Easybib has a function for this to do online, or you can just use paper notecards.

**Step #2** : **Devise three subcategories for your ideas related to your topic.** Gather all ideas into three categories that represent an aspect of your larger issue. For example, if you are looking at the notion of bullying in high schools, perhaps you could examine the experiences of the victim, the bullies (causes), and the aftermath of the incidents (effects).


 * Step #3 : Devise a thesis. ** Review these thesis writing tips on writing a thesis from OWL @ Purdue, looking at the expository essay.


 * Step #4 : Construct an outline. ** Review these tips on developing an outline on writing a thesis from OWL @ Purdue, looking at the expository essay. Fill out this graphic organizer: [[file:3U - Martel Essay Outline - Novel - letter.doc]]. If you are the type who likes to just write out ideas in paragraph form first, try //reverse outlining// to extract your ideas and then rearrange them so that they appear in the most logical order. Generally, the body GERRC paragraphs should appear in the following order: **GERRC 1**: strongest point; **GERRC 2**: third strongest point; **GERRC 3**: second strongest point.
 * ensure that for each GERRC paragraph, you list at least **two** cited, direct quotations from the novel and at least **one** from the news article
 * Step #5 : Write the first draft. ** Allow yourself to write without stopping. Ignore any mechanical (spelling) or grammatical errors. Those will be fixed later. Also, do not worry about flowery or fancy language (this too can be crafted later). Get your main ideas in sentence form in the clearest way possible. The **goals** for the first draft are: **logical progression of ideas and clarity.**


 * Step #6 : Edit the first draft. ** Review past papers (perhaps on turnitin) for comments that might apply to your common errors. Review some of these editing strategies from OWL@Purdue. Review Mr. Go's tips on academic writing. Use the [[file:1202EssayWritingChecklist.doc]]

** Step #7 : Make Revisions  **, reread and go back to the editing process as many times as time allows.** Finalize ** the paper using the MLA template and be sure to include an alphabetized Works Cited pagethatincludes a list of works that correspond to the ones you have cited (sourced) in your essay. In this case, Martel's //Life of Pi// and the data base you used would be useful.


 * Novel Analysis Support **
 * ► //Life of Pi// **Novel summary** - click here. [[file:Novel summary - Martel.doc]]
 * Elements of Fiction - ** Elements of Fiction ** ([[file:mistergo/elements of fiction3.doc|downloadable Word file]]) (Overview of the seven key elements of every story)
 * How to Find Theme (Mouthing the Message) (instructions on how to formulate a theme for a literary piece and a catalogue of known themes in literature)


 * Click here for a guide on integrating quotations
 * [[file:ENG3U Writing Feedback.doc]] (what to avoid)
 * sign up for your Martel topic and post a link to your
 * sign up for your Martel topic and post a link to your

**Sample Essays and models**
 * [[file:01Criticism of Yann Martel.doc]] essays written in academic language (note the level of diction - vocabulary) and the use of quotations inside the argument

**Green Resource Guide:** pw: tdsbresearch - Great guide for MLA format, constructing the Works Cited page - Good section on notetaking and keeping track of your sources - devising a thesis guide
 * Writing Resources: **


 * Databases where news articles can be found: **

- news articles
 * Canadian Periodicals Index ** (carpediem)

** SIRS issues researcher ** (xa1063/EARL, then click SIRS products) - news articles and essay for and against a topic




 * Canadian Points of View ** (trillium/trillium)

** Opposing Viewpoints ** (carpediem)