What Is a Brother Essay

1. What Is a Brother Essay 7th Grade English

2. What is a Brother? • Keeping in mind the difference between the figurative and literal meaning, do a quick-write of the literal definition of brother. Look up in the dictionary to get started. • Dictionary Definition of “Brother:”

3. key characteristics that come to your mind when you think of a brother/ sister: (Take these characteristics from what you have written in your free write about what a brother is.) • _________________________ • _________________________ • _________________________ • _________________________ • _________________________ • _________________________

4. Figurative Vs. Literal • Figurative means: __________________________________________________________________________________________ • Figurative example A brother…. • Literal means: __________________________________________________________________________________________ • Literal example • A brother… __________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Tangerine connection “You take care of yourself, brother. I’ll see you in the groves.” “Yeah. Bye.” I hung up. But I heard that word “brother” echoing long afterward. I looked up at the ceiling, and I heard Erik pacing back and forth, back and forth, in the cage that he had made for himself. • Why do Tino’s words mean so much to Paul?

6. Questions to ponder • What events and characteristics make a brother? • In what ways can a person be a brother to someone without being a relative?

7. Introductory Paragraph Thesis : tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. The thesis: • directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject • must offer a way to understand the topic. • makes a claim that others might dispute. • is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader.

8. Sample Essay- Introductory Paragraph Some people think you have to be family to call someone a brother. Others believe that you can have a brother that is not actually related to you. I personally have best friends that I consider “sisters.” Over time, I have developed these close sisterhoods through trust, respect and acceptance. Can you find the thesis sentence?

9. Creating a thesis (Topic Sentence) • A thesis must sum-up what your essay will cover in the following paragraphs. The thesis is your main idea! Main points made in sample paragraph: • Trust • Respect • Acceptance

10. Thesis Fill-in-the-blank • A friend is revealed as a brother through loyalty, kindness, and honesty. • A ________________ can be seen as a ____________ if they possess these traits _________________, ________________, _________________. • The qualities of ___________, ____________, and ________________ are essential in making any _____________ become more like a _____________. **You can use re-wording for the anchor sentence in your last paragraph as well.***

11. Body/ Supporting Paragraphs What should my body paragraphs have? • 1. Statement based on the thesis • 2. Example • 3. Explanation that shows how evidence supports the thesis • 4. Example • 5. Explanation that shows how evidence supports the thesis

12. Body Paragraphs of Sample essay It’s important to have trust in a friendship. For example, when my “sisters” are over, I don’t have to worry that they will get into my personal belongings or that they will cause damage to my property. I also trust them with my secrets. I know that I can confide in them and they will keep my problems private. Finally, I know my “sisters” will always be on my side. On the rare occasion that someone is angry with me, I know my “sisters” will stand up for me and take my side.

13. What goes in my conclusion? Close the Mood by writing REAL • 1. Restatement of thesis using strong words by stating what was proved in body paragraphs • 2. Evaluation of what thesis proved, bringing the reader to a higher level of understanding regarding the topic • 3. Analogy or figure of speech that brings your essay to a powerful conclusion by • 4. Leaving the audience convinced you’ve proven your thesis

14. Conclusion paragraph of sample essay Just like Paul found in his “brotherhood” with Tino, I have found that trust, respect and acceptance can forge friendships into sisterhood. While I respect the sacredness of family, I have also found that my friends are essential in my life. There are times that I need my figurative sisters’ support more than my literal sister’s support. My figurative sisters get me through some of the toughest times, and I am thankful that I have them.

15. Writing prompt • The novel Tangerine by Edward Bloor focuses on the topic of “brotherhood”. Think carefully about how friendship creates a connection very similar to family. Write a five paragraph essay explaining what three traits a friend must have to be like family. Be sure to use examples from Tangerine to support your ideas.

16. 5 Paragraph Essay Rubric- Rate the following from 1 (low) to 5(high). • Ideas- • ___Planning is evident • ___Thesis is clearly stated • ___There are three supporting ideas for the thesis • ___Each supporting idea has personal evidence • Organization- • ___The order is logical • ___ Divided into 5 paragraphs. • ___Voice/Word Choice- Voice is strong, Vocabulary is vivid. • ___Sentence Fluency- Sentence structure is varied and flows well • ___Conventions- spelling is correct, paragraphs are indented, punctuation is correct • ___Presentation- Final Draft is written neatly in pen or typed • Score: ___/50x2+ = ___ %