Chains Annotations and Evidence-Based Reading Response Paragraphs

As you read Chains, you will annotate forfigurative language (symbolism in particular). You will also track the ways in which characters shape their own identities and the boxes they find themselves in. You will turn in your book on Friday, January 30th for your annotations to be checked. Your annotations will be worth 40 points.

In addition, you will write THREE evidence-based reading response paragraphs to questions provided by your teacher at the beginning, middle, and end of the novel. In your responses you have two goals. First, you must create an argument about a specific aspect of the text that answers the question at hand. Second, you should prove your argument through the use of relevant evidence and thorough analysis. We will practice together in class.

Format for Reading Response Paragraphs:

  1. Put your full name at the top of your paper; responses must be typed and double-spaced.
  1. Give your response a creative title.
  1. Each response must be at least seven to ten sentences.
  1. No first person, no second person, no contractions, no vague pronouns, no questions!
  1. Make sure to provide properly cited page numbers for your quotations.
  1. Each response should take the form of a paragraph (we will practice in class):
  • Start with an argumentative topic sentence that uses words from the question
  • Add depth to your argument by elaborating and/or providing useful details from the book that help your reader understand what you are talking about
  • Provide a quotation that demonstrates the argument from your topic sentence
  • Provide at least three sentences in which you explain how the ideas, events, or language in the quotation supports your argument—be specific
  • OPTIONAL: if you have a second excellent piece of supporting evidence, develop your argument further by including that quotation and then explaining how that quotation builds upon the previous supporting example
  • Conclude by restating your argument from your topic sentence in new (more forceful) language, and end with a "so what" idea

The total score for the reading response questions will be based on completion of the entries on time and following the above guidelines in a way that results in clear, compelling, convincing writing. Each paragraph will be worth 20 points.

(Turn over)

Sample question that we will do together:

What do chapters 1-4 reveal about the life of a slave? Give specific details from the reading to support your argument.

My topic sentence:

Class's topic sentence:

My three pieces of evidence that support the class's topic sentence (with page numbers):

Two pieces of evidence selected by the class (with page numbers):

First reading response paragraph questions: due on Monday, January 12th(Choose ONE):

  1. What does Isabel's forced name change reveal about her identity and her place in American society?
  1. Consider the quotation from Abigail Adams' letter on page 79. Looking at the female characters in the novel other than Isabel, what kinds of power do they lack? What (NOT who) denies them that power?
  1. Go back and look at the book's subtitle "Seeds of America." At this point, what is the book's message about beginning points and potential growth, not for plants or individuals, but for the nation? (You will need to look at literal objects or events to make a point about larger symbolic, thematic, or figurative ideas.)

Second reading response paragraph questions: due on Tuesday, January 20th (choose ONE):

  1. On page 140, Colonel Regan denies Isabel's request for help. How does his decision reveal a conflict between the ideals of the American Revolution and the reality of the nation that is being born? Why are his actions in this moment ironic?
  1. ***How does the writing at the beginning of chapter 22 reflect on Isabel's state of mind and her physical circumstances? In other words, how does the style (the diction, syntax, and tone) of the writing reflect Isabel's psychological, emotional, and physical trauma?
  1. How does the physical trauma and loss of memory Isabel experiences during her imprisonment and branding demonstrate a more abstract loss that she experiences?

Third reading response paragraph questions due on Thursday, January 29th(choose ONE):

  1. Throughout the book slaves about the right course of action for them to take in the midst of the larger war. What is the relationship between the slaves' sense of freedom and the freedom sought by the colonies in the American Revolution?
  1. How does the damage to the city caused by the fire metaphorically connect to Isabel's loss?
  1. At the end of the book, how has Isabel's attitude toward her scar changed, and how is the scar now a different source of identity for her?

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