The Namesake Summary; Summary Workshop; Gloria Anzaldua

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EQ: Write a summary essay for the novel The Namesake.

LAB: Read the article and case study on summaries.

Using your notes, summaries, and text, write a summary paper for the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. See the double-sided rubric handout for details about how the formal paper will be graded.
*Refer to the chapter and materials/blog notes about summaries to assist your writing!
Your summary should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. I suggest you organize your summary by chapter (1 paragraph per chapter for the body of the essay would be appropriate, for instance). Transitional words should help the flow of your essay and further organize your main ideas.

NOTE: You will need to cite sources that you use or used for this paper. Your primary source is your text (novel), along with the chapter about summaries from our classroom text/manual, the Howcast video "How to Write a Summary", and Sandra Jamieson's article from Drew University Online Resources for Writers entitled, "Summary Writing." If you consulted other online or library sources, please include them as well for your works cited page. Works cited pages should be written in MLA format.

If you finish before the end of the period, please continue to attend to one of the following previous tasks for your writing portfolio. Portfolios will be due the 9th week of the marking period. More details about the portfolio rubric will be forthcoming.

Portfolio Assignments/Creative Drafts:
  • Complete or revise your "How it Feels to be Me" essay draft 
  • Complete or revise your "identity poem" draft 
  • Complete or revise any creative piece based on discussions, journal exercises, etc.
  • Complete or revise your story draft where you use multiple based on the structure of The Namesake. (Sept. 19, 21, 23)
  • Complete or revise your "name" poem. (Sept. 19, 21, 23)
  • Write about nurture versus nature; use our articles/discussions/writing exercises to create a poem, play, short story, essay, or media project for your portfolio.
  • Write about labels. See the article: "Dude Looks Like a Lady" for inspiration.
  • Write about the melting pot or the video "who am I?" (Sept. 21 post)
  • Write about what you keep in your purse or wallet or school locker. Reflect on how objects help identify you.
  • Write about ideas uncovered in the essay "Masks". 
  • Consider the current political campaign. Patriotism is a common theme in media and body art. Create your own photo essay or sound-byte video or podcast in which you examine a cultural theme--one that makes a statement about people (hegemonies) and/or contemporary American life. Collect images from media sources, or from your own photographic talents, and use these images to support or illustrate your chosen theme. Use the article on September 11 Tattoos as inspiration or a model. See "Writing about Cultural Practices" for additional options and clarification.
Classroom:

Get into the following small groups:

Group Z: Rosalia, Olivia, Grace, Reyenne, Amanda
Group X: Cameron, Alannah, Jasmina, Jahde, Avana 
Group Y: Frieda, Rashid, Janelys, Nandi, Aslin

Review each other's Hoober Bloob summaries. Offer ideas based on these points:
  1. Is the summary accurate and complete?
  2. Does it include all the author’s main points?
  3. Are they in the right order?
  4. Did you remember not to include details, examples, your opinions, and information that isn’t in the original selection?
  5. Did you write the summary in your own words?
  6. Did you use transitions so that it reads smoothly?
  7. If someone else read your summary, would they see and be able to understand all of the important points the author presented in the original selection? 
  8. Did you write in complete sentences, with proper syntax, sentence structure, grammar, and mechanics for college or professional writing?
Use the rubric for summaries to provide feedback and grade your peers on their work. Discuss with peers your observations and suggest ways to strengthen the summary. 20 minutes.

Reading: "An Open Letter to Women Writers of Color" by Gloria Anzaldua & "To Live in the Borderlands" (poem) by Gloria Anzaldua

HOMEWORK: None.

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