Your First Written Commentary: The Official Assignment Sheet

Name:__________________________________ Per:______ Date:_______________________

What are you supposed to do?
Comment on stylistic devices in The Rattler. Your commentary should include:
1. An introductory paragraph, with the following thesis:
The authors techniques in The Rattler convey the ____(idea #1)____, but also the _______
______(complimentary idea #2)__________. The author does this through the use of diction,
imagery, and organization.
2. A diction paragraph, with the following topic sentence:
The authors diction heightens the ___(description #1)___ and ___(description #2)__ of the
snake as it responds to the man.
3. An imagery paragraph, with the following topic sentence:
The author adds to the effect of the passage through imagery that details the actions of both
the snake and the man.
4. An organization paragraph, with the following topic sentence:
The authors organization further establishes the mans conflicting attitudes about the snake.
You should also:
Use MLA format. This does not mean that you need to use MLA citations for your quotes (in
this case, at least), but it does mean that your paper needs to be formatted correctly
according to MLA format. Please refer to the following website for a sample paper:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/13/
By when are you supposed to do it?
If you have been following along in class, you will have the legwork done by Friday. You will be
typing or neatly writing your final draft at home throughout the week, with your final draft due on
Monday, Sept. 29.
Who is supposed to do it?
We will work as a class to create a detailed outline of the commentary. You will be writing the final
draft on your own. Our final products should all be very similar. You are essentially making your own
text book example for how to write a commentary in the future.
How are you supposed to do it? Especially if you havent been keeping up with the work, or if youve been
absent?
Look at your Commentary Handouts. Use your resources. I will post the handouts for this week on
the class website, shwilson.weebly.com
Email me! Ill check my email religiously until the weekend, so if you email me by then, I should be
able to help. I may or may not check my email over the weekend, so dont push your luck. Again, my
email is shwilson@fwps.org