Huck Finn Argument EssayWeeds and Roses

Weed #1—Comma, comma, comma chameleon

• Folks—REALLY? TD and AS are going to maim you! How could you possibly not know your comma rules by now??

This man taught you at least five comma rules.

I have his word. Which is stronger than

titanium.

Weed #1: Commas

• Here’s the only one I think you might need some more instruction on:– Use a comma to separate an introductory

(dependent) clause • When I go to the store, I buy shaving cream.• If I don’t, I have to shave my female moustache dry.• By the end of the shave, my upper lip is bloody and blotchy.• From then on, I have scabs on my upper lip. • In the future, I will make sure I have shaving cream on hand.

Notice that the words in RED, if they

begin a sentence, will

usually indicate a dependent

clause

Weed #1: Commas

• So you, my little comma queens and kings, get to sort out the rest of the commas on your own.– Comma powerpoint (The Five Comma Rules) is posted

online– Mr. Dorman and Ms. Schumacher have been instructed

NOT to re-teach you—you need to be responsible for this!– You will be quizzed on these rules– If you have questions about them, email me, and we’ll

discuss when we come back from break

Weed #2—Beef Up Commentary

COMMENTARY

Weed #2—Enough metaphorical shenanigans, Ms. K. Really, What is Commentary?

• Commentary is the same as analysis• It explains to your reader why your CD is

important• It explains how your CD proves your thesis• Can you prove your thesis without

CM/analysis?

Layers of Commentary“Initially, Huck had written the letter to Miss

Watson to inform her of the location of her runaway slave, Jim. However, after further consideration, Huck finally decides that he cannot exonerate himself by unjustly condemning an innocent victim of society. By resolving this issue as well as similar conflicts, Huck has firmly configured his moral compass and demonstrated the importance of following what is ethically right, regardless of whether society endorses it or not. In essence, Huck has also shown that it is wiser to preserve one’s personal beliefs than to follow in society’s footsteps. Without the ability of morals and ethics to establish a personal sense of justice, people would become mindless drones of society instead of sentient beings.”

How do you write this?

“Initially, Huck had written the letter to Miss Watson to inform her of the location of

her runaway slave, Jim. However, after further

consideration, Huck finally decides that he cannot

exonerate himself by unjustly condemning an innocent

victim of society. “

1. Explain how CD proves thesis

Go back to your thesis. What are you trying to prove? Explain how the CD illustrates your thesis. Don’t just say, “This shows…”

NO—YOU show. Pick your brain instead of your nose. Why did you choose that quote, example, etc. What about it demonstrates your claim? THINK!!

By resolving this issue as well as similar conflicts, Huck has firmly configured his moral compass and demonstrated the importance of following what is ethically right, regardless of whether society endorses it or not.

2. What does this CD illustrate about the character/town as a whole?

Go back to your thesis. What is Twain trying to say? Is this like something else you’ve read as well? Does this CD corroborate with other evidence? What does the evidence collectively suggest?

Dig deep. Be Oprah. Say something meaningful.

3. Relate this to society at large. Remember, this novel is a comment on society as a whole

In essence, Huck has also shown that it is wiser to preserve one’s personal beliefs than to follow in society’s footsteps. Without the ability of morals and ethics to establish a personal sense of justice, people would become mindless drones of society instead of sentient beings.”

What can we all take away from this?

What lessons can be learned? What is the consequence if we

don’t? What is the impact of the

statement?What is the significance for all

of us?

Dig. Dig. Dig. Oprah deep.

Weed #3—Take a risk with your thesis

Rank these theses in order from weakest to strongest:

A. Romanistic ideas are far from beneficial, and in fact, harm the society as a whole.

B. Society should not control our friendships with others. C. Insecurity brings about racism and greed.D. The quest for freedom comes after a solid set of morals

and basic understanding of right and wrong.E. A moral person in a corrupt society will often be frowned

upon for their actions. F. Humans often live their lives in a two-faced manner.

Weed #3—Take a risk with your thesis

• What would make a thesis more risky? Bolder? How could we say something more dramatic? Something different that what everyone else is already saying?

Ways to Up the Ante:

1. Add causality: If A, then B– If humans cannot see past parochial paradigms, they are bound to

end up with a castrated mind.– Because man is inherently benevolent, he will always act in an

altruistic manner.– Man is inherently evil; therefore, if given the chance, he will always

pilfer from others for his own gain

2. Add qualifying or evaluative words/phrases: – Never, always, without a doubt, rarely...– Plant vs. Weed – Animal vs. Beast– Expensive vs. Over-priced

Weed #4—Introduce your quote

It’s important for your reader to have a frame of reference when reading a quote– Setting– Speaker– Context

• Antecedent/referent clarification

Weed #4—Introduce Your QuotesWhich one is well introduced? Which one leaves the reader wondering? What

questions might the reader wonder?

“These two families have been fighting non-stop. They are both, however, of Christian faith and both are unaware of the ancient reason for their constant feuding. Arriving to church—each cradling their own gun—the rivals listen to the same sermon and agree on the beauty of it. “It was a pretty ornery preaching…”

“The arrogance of Aunt Sally is imperative to the progression of this argument. She represents, as a whole, the antagonism of the novel. “…and he’s in that cabin again, on bread and water, and loaded down with chains till he’s claimed or sold!” (289).

Not quite a weed, but rather something to which to pay attention:

• What is the present progressive tense of a verb?

RER (Reflection, Editing & Revision)

1. Highlight CD in one color, CM in another. What is your ratio of CD:CM?

2. Add three more sentences of commentary/analysis to each body paragraph. Ideally the CM will relate to the same CD. The idea is to keep digging, keep digging. Go somewhere with the CM; say something.

3. Rewrite your conclusion. Wow me! Make me weep with joy at your insight.

4. Find two other issues with your paper (awkward sentence construction, weak thesis, etc.) and revise.

Weed #1—Use of titles

• When using a title/name for the first time, use the entire name:– The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn– Mark Twain

• Italicize, don’t underline, titles of books (new MLA 2009).– Obviously when writing by hand,

you’ll need to underline

Ideas for a conclusion:

• Get philosophical—talk about serious issues as they relate to the topic

• Ask (and maybe even answer) a rhetorical question• Begin a new line of reasoning or introduce a new but

related idea• Use an anecdote from the real world that illustrates

just the point Twain attempted to prove