Sometimes ignorance is bliss; sometimes it generates negativity and spite.In Teresa Bateman’s “Both Sides of the Fence,” Alberto cannot stand to have any of his neighbors enjoying his beautiful apple tree. When Juan, the man next door, has the audacity to collect some of Alberto’s apples and have his wife bake an apple cake for Alberto, justice must be served.Alberto begins the story as a jealous, possessive man, but thanks to his neighbor’s generosity, learns that sharing one’s possessions is the way to be truly happy.
It is important to realize that when Juan takes some of Alberto’s apples, Alberto’s negative world view leads him to assume Juan is spiting him—a perfect foundation for Bateman to develop Juan into a dynamic character.Bateman writes, “Alberto was furious. His apples were being used without his permission, and he considered Juan’s note a slap in the face.”Alberto does not understand that the thank you note Juan includes with the homemade apple cake is written without irony. Juan truly appreciates Alberto’s apples, and is just being neighborly—a fact lost on Alberto.When Alberto decides to confront Juan, Alberto’s fury is quelled after Juan states, “‘We got so much joy out of the tree, it would be poor repayment to simply give you the apples, so my wife baked all of them into a cake.’”Alberto finally understands that Juan is not trying to spite Alberto. Juan’s generosity serves as an epiphany, allowing Alberto to open his own heart to the community.
Due to Juan’s magnanimous behavior, Alberto learns that his neighbors are to be treated as friends, not enemies.The incident with Juan shows Alberto that his pessimism is poisoning his life.Accordingly, Alberto joins Juan in a home cooked meal, where the two celebrate their new friendship, something the community in Bateman’s story can learn from—something the entire world can learn from.
INTRODUCTION
Hook sentence: Your first impression. Be interesting!
Context sentence
Must include: title, author, brief summary
Context sentence
Thesis statement: One sentence that answers the prompt / question. The thesis is the same as an RTL topic sentence, but without the title and author. It always comes at the end of the intro paragraph. It must be arguable. (It is an opinion statement.) The thesis must include what you think, and your reasoning.
BODY PARAGRAPH
Transitional topic sentence: expands on your thesis by explaining the reason you believe your thesis to be true.
Direct Quotation that supports your thesis.
Commentary sentence
Explains how the quotation supports your thesis
Commentary sentence
Direct Quotation that supports your thesis.
Commentary sentence
Explains how the quotation supports your thesis
Commentary sentence
CONCLUSION
Transitional sentence that paraphrases your thesis statement.
Paraphrase first thesis support
Concluding sentence that connects the thesis to life in general