CLASS COPY—DO NOT TAKE

Writing Workshop for Peace Like a River Analysis

Enriched English I

In this workshop, you will help your classmates improve and polish their written analysis of Peace Like a River. Follow the process described below carefully. You will receive a participation grade for this workshop based on the thoughtfulness and helpfulness of your comments.

Step 1: Paragraph 1

1)Trade drafts with a partner. Write YOUR full name next to the first paragraph on your partner’s draft.

2)Review the instructions for paragraph 1: In the first paragraph, please introduce first the author and the title of the book, then discuss the relevance of the title to what happens in the chapter; in other words, why is it titled the way it is. Don't merely retell what happens -- instead be sure to look at why Enger focused the spotlight, the chapter title, on what he did.

3)Read your partner’s first paragraph. Consider: did they fulfill all of the requirements listed above? Are you left with any questions? Is there any point that could be better explained?

4)Write specific suggestions for improving the content of the paragraph directly on the draft.

5)Read the paragraph again, this time with an editor’s eye. Mark any errors you think the writer should fix, including: awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, fragments, spelling mistakes, and typos. Do not worry about quotation format at this point.

Step 2: Paragraph 2

1)Trade drafts with another classmate so that you are now working on a new paper. Write YOUR full name next to the second paragraph on this new draft.

2)Review the instructions for paragraph 2: In the second paragraph, explore the relationship of this chapter to the book as a whole. Why is what happens in this chapter important? How is the novel's theme or themes enhanced or revealed in it? Is there something important learned about a character?

3)Read the second paragraph. Consider: did they fulfill all of the requirements listed above? Are you left with any questions? Is there any point that could be better explained?

4)Write specific instructions for improving the content of the paragraph directly on the draft.

5)Read the paragraph again, this time with an editor’s eye. Mark any errors you think the writer should fix, including: awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, fragments, spelling mistakes, and typos. Do not worry about quotation format at this point.

Step 3: Using Direct Quotations

1)Trade drafts with another classmate so that you are now working on a third paper. Write YOUR full name at the top of the draft. Next to it, write the word “quotes.”

2)Review the instructions for quotation sandwiches:

  • Each “quotation sandwich” should consist of context, the quote, and analysis.
  • The quotation should be something the writer wants to analyze to prove his or her point. It should not be a simple statement of fact.
  • The quotation should be part of the context sentence’s correct grammatical structure or be introduced with a colon.
  • Examples:
  • Yes: Reuben finds it striking that “on his face is nothing at all but the knowledge that the goose is his” (Enger 16).
  • Yes:Davy’s intense expression puzzles Reuben: “on his face is nothing at all but the knowledge that the goose is his” (Enger 16).
  • No: Davy’s expression worries Reuben “on his face is nothing at all…” (Enger 16).
  • No: Reuben finds Davy’s expression striking. “On his face…” (Enger 16).
  • The author and page number should be in parentheses after the quotation. If the author’s name is included in the context sentence, only the page number needs to follow the quotation.
  • See above for examples.
  • If the quote ends with a question mark or exclamation point, include that punctuation within the quotation marks AND put a period after the parenthetical citation.
  • Example: In the opening of the novel, Reuben points out to the reader that most babies cry at birth: “How you yowled!" (Enger 8).
  • The quote should be followed by analysis that refers directly to the quote and explains its significance.

3)Find any direct quotations the writer uses in the draft. For each quotation, make suggestions on how to correct the format or improve the choice anduse of the quotation.