Transcript Alice Walker’s short story, Everyday Use

Absolutes
In your EW Journal:
Write a paragraph of at least 5 sentences
describing a sporting event or activity that involved
you personally. The event you write about doesn’t
need to be a formal competition. It could be when
you learned to swim, first skateboarded, tried
hunting, practiced the piano or rode your bike
across town. Try to provide interesting details that
were unique to your experience.
Find an exciting place to begin your story. Perhaps
how you were feeling as you approached the
event.
I backed up the trail to give myself space to clip my shoes
into the pedals. I could hear the voices of my friends as
they taunted me, telling me to hurry. My heart quickened
a little as I started riding towards the bridge. I couldn’t see
over the end but knew that a steep drop waited for me. I
was leaning to the right but was able to correct myself
before my front wheel dropped in front of me. Before I
knew it, I was sweeping down the rough-hewn boards and
speeding toward the connecting narrow plank bridge that
was only two feet off the ground but seemed much higher.
I managed to keep my balance but veered left. I pulled up
just in time to drop off the side of the bridge and land
safely on both wheels. My friends laughed, saying I didn’t
make it. Perhaps I didn’t make it to the end, but I did
something they were too chicken to even try!
Absolute Phrases
Absolute Phrases consist of a noun and
a verb ending with “ing” or “ed” which is
added to a base sentence to help create
a clearer picture for the reader.
nouns
bat swinging
palms sweating
action
verbs
Faces beaming happily, the two
superstars signed autographs for
hours.
Faces smudged with ash, the
firefighters sifted through the rubble.
His rifle clutched tightly to his body,
the soldier knelt to catch his breath.
Base sentence: The baby laughed.
Arms
waving
______________
________________
with
delight, the baby laughed.
Base sentence: David caught the ball.
His ________ ___________, David caught the ball.
(noun + verb phrase)
Base sentence: The tiger stalked the beast.
_________ __________, the tiger stalked the beast.
(noun + verb phrase)
Base sentence: The man blew fire.
Base sentence: The lady demonstrated her
anger.
Base sentence:
The man
prepared to
jump.
Base sentence: The kayakers congregated.
Base sentence: The monks crossed the
river.
Base sentence: The Johnsons had
dinner.
Base sentence: Joe was in the lead.
Base sentence: The car was retrieved.
Base sentence: The house was
covered.
Base sentence: The President posed.
Apply It
Go back to your “EW Journal and look over what you wrote. Identify two
sentences that could benefit from adding absolutes. Look for sentences
that do not create a clear image in your reader’s mind.
Dull Sentence: I felt nervous as I walked up the steps of the
diving board
Improved Sentences with Absolutes: Heart pounding, knees
trembling, I climbed up the steps of the diving board.
After locating two sentences in your pre-write that will benefit from
adding absolutes, rewrite those two sentences with absolutes.
Please highlight the absolutes!
I backed up the trail to give myself space to clip my shoes
into the pedals. I could hear the voices of my friends as
they taunted me, telling me to hurry. My heart quickened
a little as I started riding towards the bridge. I couldn’t see
over the end but knew that a steep drop waited for me. I
was leaning to the right but was able to correct myself
before my front wheel dropped in front of me. Before I
knew it, I was sweeping down the rough-hewn boards and
speeding toward the connecting narrow plank bridge that
was only two feet off the ground but seemed much higher.
I managed to keep my balance but veered left. I pulled up
just in time to drop off the side of the bridge and land
safely on both wheels. My friends laughed, saying I didn’t
make it. Perhaps I didn’t make it to the end, but I did
something they were too chicken to even try!
Muscles tensed, hands sweating, I backed up the trail to
give myself space to clip my shoes into the pedals.
Heart quickening, I started riding towards the bridge.
I dropped off the side of the bridge, my wheels landing
solidly.
In the “Apply It” section of your
worksheet, write a paragraph
inspired by one of these pictures.
Your description must be at least
five sentences and include two
absolutes. Please highlight your
absolutes.
Imagine being a cultural anthropologist …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0DsvpE9aOk
Describe an
object from
home that
might give
insights into
your family’s
culture.
Explain the
insights.
(My Notes, p. 58)
• Asalamalskim
• Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo
Read Alice Walker’s short story Every Day Use –
annotate My Notes and highlight
Complete the Venn Diagram and create a
claim and counterclaim – p. 67