Homework tonight is to finish the 3rd body paragraph on your graphic organizer. This is due tomorrow for summative points. Below is what we have come up with for Introduction and Body #1 (I will make copies of this for you to attach to your graphic organizer but it is here for you to use as your guide). You should have completed body #2 with your table group. Make sure you are ready to turn in and share tomorrow.
Prompt Question:__ How does Mrs. Jones’s kindness to Roger change him? Explain how he changes and provide evidence from the text.
Introduction of novel/idea/topic (starts with a “hook”; define idea, quote, and interesting fact):
It is well understood that human beings can change as a result of an experience or encounter with another person. This change can happen immediately depending on one’s willingness to evolve.
Background/lead to thesis (introduce story, author, some but not all events):
In the story, Thank you, M’am, by Langston Hughes, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones helps Roger go through an immediate change as a result of her kindness, forgiveness, and empathy.
Thesis statement/Claim/Argument – (answer to prompt questions):
Roger changes for the better as he becomes hopeful, honest, and holds himself accountable.
First Body Paragraph
- Offers one reason that supports thesis (topic sentence 1):
Roger gains a sense of hope in humanity as a result of his encounter with Mrs. Jones. When Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse, instead of taking him to jail, she takes him home and shows him kindness. It is obvious that Roger has never been shown true kindness from anybody.
2. Gives textual evidence (support 1 from reading):
Before she sends him off, Mrs. Jones says,
“ ‘Now, here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes. And next time, don’t make the mistake of latching onto my pocketbook nor nobody else’s’ ” (Hughes 72).
3. Explain quote/Reasoning:
Roger is left stunned by this act of kindness. Mrs. Jones took him into her home, fed him, showed him a great deal of concern, and gave him the ten dollars to buy his blue suede shoes. Roger realizes that people can be kind and giving. In the case of Mrs. Jones, she responds with true kindness to a young boy who just needed to be treated well. Roger thanks Mrs. Jones but cannot truly express how overwhelmed he feels by her generosity so he just says, “Thank You” but is left with a different mindset about humanity.
