Not Without My Daughter
Teacher Commentary and Prompt
A 9th grade student wrote this essay from a sentence outline composed in class. He had been in English class writing instruction about two months before he composed this essay.
His open mindedness in paragraph two is exemplary, as it is obvious that he is emotionally tied to the opposite point of view that he supports extraordinarily well with facts from the film.
In a few instances, the strength of this paper also contributes to its weakness. In an attempt to produce well-developed paragraphs supported by pertinent and relevant facts (which he does) this student at times gets into more summary than thought, a common difficulty for 9th grade students. Once the student overcomes surface and usage errors, he should be well on his way to becoming an accomplished expository writer.
Prompt: We have had several good classroom discussions about the movie, Not Without My Daughter, an American account of a true experience involving a difference in culture, political orientation, and religion. We have learned that many different cultures exist in this world and that we are inevitably interdependent upon one another as humankind; consequently it behooves all of us to begin to seriously consider the viewpoints of others as we essentially are all in this struggle for survival together. The structure of argumentative writing which we have been studying all semester forces an honest look at those other points of view.
Directions for Writing: Using the structure of argument, complete with concessions paragraph, choose either one view or the other to write a well-developed six paragraph essay on the movie, Not Without My Daughter, You may not "ride the fence" by combining some of both topics in the thesis statement. Any concessions must clearly be reserved for the concessions paragraph for this writing. Provided thesis: In the movie, Not Without My Daughter, Betty is primarily right throughout the film or In the movie, Not Without My Daughter, Moody is primarily right in his actions throughout the film.
Rubrics are the same ones used for all writing which might become possible portfolio entries in the state of Kentucky.