BOARD NOTES FROM CERS CHRISTMAS CAROL MICRO-CONFERNCES

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PROMPT

When thinking about Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol” (as dramatized by Frederick Gaines), some might believe that the spirit of Jacob Marley most influenced him to change from being a miser to being a giver.  Others might argue that it was one of the visiting ghost (of Christmas Past, Present, or Future).  Make a claim as to which character most influenced Ebenezer Scrooge and support it with relevant evidence and reasoning.  Finally, synthesize your argument.

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SWITCHING ORDER – BE CLEAR

Although some might argue that he made a bad choice to lie about knowing French, the fact of the matter is that it was a good choice.

It was a good choice to lie about knowing French, although some might argue that he made a bad choice.

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NAMES AND CAPS

the Ghost of Christmas Past

the Ghost of Christmas Present

the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (or Future).

Jacob Marley

Ebenezer Scrooge

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WORD BANK

Although

Despite

In spite of

Contrary to what

Some

Others

Readers

Critics

Might argue

Believe

Put forward the argument that

Might think

the fact of the matter

the truth is

The basic reality of the situation is

Ebenezer Scrooge

Mr. Scrooge

Scrooge

Ebenezer

The old miser

Miser

Penny pincher

overly thrifty

Stingy, cheap

money-grubbing

charitably-challenged

Misanthrope

Misanthropic

Geezer

curmudgeon

Giver

humanist

contributor

charitable

Benevolent

Philanthropist

philanthropy

Influenced

Impacted

Changed

Shifted

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TRANSITION WORDS

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EVIDENCE

Questions to consider:

Is it the very best sentence (or sentences) available to support my claim?

At what point should my quote begin?

At what point should my quote end?

Is it too long?

Is it too short?

Are there unnecessary parts at the beginning, in the middle, or in the end that don’t speak to my point or might confuse the reader?  (Use ellipses)

What page number is it located on?

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 Quotes

“They left the class together.  Teresa asked him if he would help her with her French,” (25).

Dialog within Quotes:

“They left the class together.  Teresa asked him if he would help her with her French.  ‘Sure, anytime,’ Victor said,” (25).

Quote only:

“Second Spirit (imitating Scrooge). ‘If he be like to die, he had better do it and decrease the surplus population,’” (266).

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Using Elipseses

At the front

“…asked him if he would help her with her French.  ‘Sure, anytime,’ Victor said,” (25).

In the middle

“They left the class together.  Teresa asked him...  ‘Sure, anytime,’ Victor said,” (25).

At the end

“They left the class together.  Teresa asked him if he would help her…” (25).

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SECTIONS SO FAR…

1.            CLAIM – Title, Author, Summary

2.            CLAIM – Counter Claim/Claim

3.            EVIDENCE – Quote, Formatting

4.            EVIDENCE – SET UP CONTEXT

SETTING UP CONTEXT:

Questions that the reader might have:

                What is happening in the scene up to that point?

                Who is speaking to whom?

                What is their relationship with each other?

                Does the quote refer to anything that the reader won’t know about?  (example:  chains)

Assume that the audience is unfamiliar with the story.

Notice that this is very different than your story summary in your introduction or Claim section.  This is focused in on the particular scene and not the overall story.

Pretend that you are explaining the scene to a grandparent.  Don’t assume that they know what you know.

Keep it short, maybe two to three sentences.

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