“Samantha’s Story” by Samantha Abeel

1. “Samantha’s Story” by Samantha Abeel Study Guide Answers

2. Let’s practice providing evidence from the text. Good sentence starters to cite from text: • We know this because the author states, “…..”. • We see evidence of this when the character says, “…….” • As stated in the text, “……” • In the text, the author states, “….” • For example, in this story the author/character states, “….”

3. Vocabulary OBSCURE: to hide; not easily seen; to block ADVOCATE: a person who speaks or writes in favor of a cause METAPHOR: a comparison of two unlike things WITHOUT using the words “like” or “as”. ILLUSION– a misconception or misunderstanding

4. Examples of metaphors: Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind. The fluorescent light was the sun during our test. No one invites Harold to parties because he’s a wet blanket.

5. 1. In what subject does Samantha have difficulty? • Samantha experienced difficulty in math. • We see evidence of this when the author says, “When I started this project in the seventh grade, I had trouble telling time, counting money, remembering even the simplest of addition and subtraction problems”(paragraph one, page 535).

6. 2. How did her English teacher help her? • Samantha’s English teacher gave her additional writing assignments that could be critiqued so Samantha could identify the areas she needed to strengthen in her writing, but most importantly her English teacher focused on Samantha’s strengths. • We know this because the author states, “[…] my mother asked Mrs. Williams, who was my English teacher, if she would work with me by giving me writing assignments and critiquing them as a way of focusing on what was right with me and not on what was wrong” (para. 2 page 537).

7. 3. Define metaphor as a figure of speech? • A metaphor is a comparison of two unlike things WITHOUT using the words “like” or “as”. • EXAMPLE: • Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind. • The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward Jack. • No one invites Harold to parties because he is a wet blanket.

8. 4. What metaphor does the author use for disabilities? (Meaning, what comparison does she make to her disabilities and what they do.) • The author says that disabilities are shadows that obscure [hide or cover] the light. • The author makes this clear when she states, “A tree that stands in the moonlight reflects the light, yet also casts a shadow. People are the same. They have gifts that let them shine, yet they also have disabilities, shadows that obscure the light” (para. one, page 535).

9. 4. What metaphor does the author use for disabilities? (continued) (Meaning, what comparison does she make to her disabilities and what they do.) • The author also states at the end of the memoir, “I hope through my writing to remind people that if you’re standing in the shadow of the tree, you may need to walk to the other side to see the light it reflects. They are both part of the same tree; both need to be recognized and understood. This is my reflection of the light” (para. six, page 537).

10. 5. What does the author mean by the last sentence of the story, “This is my reflection of the light.” This question is asking for your interpretation. It’s the perfect question that will lead into your insight. INSIGHT: When we read between the lines and examine why the characters act a certain way or why the authors state something a certain way. It’s really analyzing the text.

11. 5. What does the author mean by the last sentence of the story, “This is my reflection of the light.” (continued) To include insight you could also: • Connect text to a real-life situation that has happened to you, using examples from your own life. • Connect the text to another piece of literature that you’ve read. (**Will also include an allusion – a reference to something outside of the text.) • Connect text to movies/television shows (that are relevant) • Connect text to historical events/figures in the past or present. (**This is very helpful because it demonstrates your knowledge in other areas.)

12. 5. What does the author mean by the last sentence of the story, “This is my reflection of the light.” (continued) ANSWER: When the author states, “This is my reflection of the light,” she is talking about her writing. She believes her writing is the way in which she shines, despite her difficulties with math.

13. Isn’t that Enough? NO! NEVER! NOT EVEN! NO WAY! Let’s look at some meaningful and insight examples that could enhance this response. What lead-in lines could I use to include an historical figure who also overcame a terrifying and intimidating obstacle like Samantha?

14. 5. What does the author mean by the last sentence of the story, “This is my reflection of the light.” (continued) Good sentence starters for including insight: The author probably feels this way because…….. The character probably acts this way because……. This also reminds me of………… Many people feel this way because…… We see this in society when…….

15. Anne Frank • Anne Frank is the perfect example of someone else who found her writing to be a “reflection of the light” amongst the dark “shadows” that encompassed her daily. Anne Frank, just like Samantha, used her writing as an outlet to escape the dark “shadows” that tried to “obscure” her “light”.

16. Helen Keller • Although I cannot relate to Samantha’s struggles, I am reminded of a woman named Helen Keller. Helen Keller also experienced “shadows that obscured the light” in her life, but overcame those shadows to step into the true “light”. • Helen Keller found a way to overcome being deaf and mute and stepped into the light by proving others wrong and learning how to communicate, learn, and excel in certain areas.

17. Creative and Descriptive Writing Perhaps Samantha may have struggled to stay a float through her failures, but she is resilient (able to spring back or recover easily)and will probably grow up to be a very strong woman like Rosa Parks, Joan of Arc, Susan B. Anthony or Ann Meyers Drysdale, one of the first female American basketball players. Just like the women mentioned above, Samantha will probably create her own path and no longer fear failure. If writing is her “life preserver” from her former “ocean of troubles,” then her resilience (ability to spring back or recover easily) will be the vessel that will bring her to her island of success and triumph.

18. 6. What is the activity which she describes as her salvation, or “life preserver”? METAPHOR!! • Samantha’s “life preserver” is her writing. • We know this because the author states, “Yet no matter how hard it was to stay afloat in this ocean of troubles, there was something inside of me, something that became my life preserver—and that was writing” (para. 1, page 535).

19. 7. What advice does Samantha give to readers? • She advises readers to get help if they have a learning disability and to focus on their gifts and talents. • The author states, “If you struggle with a disability, the first thing you need to do is find something that you are good at, whether it’s singing or skate boarding, an interest in science or acting, even just being good with people. Then do something with that” (para. three, page 537).