When you look at skyscrapers like these, you see only the parts that are above ground. What you don’t see are the underground supports that keep each building from toppling.
When you share your ideas about a novel’s theme, your argument should look very different from a skyscraper. Your readers need to see the evidence or support you provide just as easily and clearly as they see your claim. Read this example of a paragraph that argues for a specific way of thinking about the overall meaning or message in The Giver.
Events in The Giver, along with the changes that occur in Jonas, suggest that memories add real value to people’s lives, even when those memories are painful. At first, Jonas is just like everyone else in his community―ignorant about the past and willing to follow the Community’s rules without question. But then he begins to receive the Memories of people who lived long ago, in another time or place, and they have a huge impact on him. He experiences not only fear, pain, and suffering, but also joy and love. When Jonas experiences pain and suffering connected to a memory about starving, he asks the Giver why it’s necessary for anyone to hold onto the Memories. The Giver replies, “It gives us wisdom.” The Giver also explains that, in the past, shared memories helped people connect with each other and build relationships. At one point, Jonas tries to connect with his parents by asking them if they love him. At first, they give vague answers. Then, his mother tells him that the word love is “so meaningless that it's become almost obsolete.” In other words, it’s not precise or limited enough to be part of their lives anymore. However, because of the Memories he has received, Jonas knows better―he has learned that love is the most meaningful and valuable feeling there is.
Can you see all the parts of this argument? Copy and paste sentences from the paragraph that help you answer these questions.
What is the writer’s claim about a theme in The Giver?
Which THREE sentences describe a change in the novel’s main character―as support for the claim?
Which THREE sentences describe exactly what Jonas learns from receiving a specific Memory?
Reread the sentences about Jonas’s conversation with his parents. What do they suggest about the nature of love?
Reread the last sentence in the paragraph. According to the writer of the paragraph, what has been lost in the Community―as a result of their rules and regulations?
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
|---|---|
|
Events in The Giver, along with the changes that occur in Jonas, suggest that memories add real value to people’s lives, even when those memories are painful. |
|
|
At first, Jonas is just like everyone else in his community―ignorant about the past and willing to follow the Community’s rules without question. But then he begins to receive the Memories of people who lived long ago, in another time or place, and they have a huge impact on him. He experiences not only fear, pain, and suffering, but also joy and love. |
|
|
When Jonas experiences pain and suffering connected to a memory about starving, he asks the Giver why it’s necessary for anyone to hold onto the Memories. The Giver replies, “It gives us wisdom.” The Giver also explains that, in the past, shared memories helped people connect with each other and build relationships. |
|
|
It can mean lots of different things, which makes it messy and hard to describe. It’s also much harder to control or manipulate. |
|
|
The people living in the Community have lost the ability to connect with each other on a deep and meaningful level. Anything that would allow them to feel love has been eliminated from society. |
|
