CIM rubric for Samurai's Garden Essay

CIM Persuasive Paper

Name:_____________________________________ Date:___Fall 2009________

Assignment:¬_____Samurai’s Garden Essay___________ Class:_Global Literature___

Modes: Persuasive

Ideas and Content
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Thesis is a clear opinion with complexity
• Assertions clearly relate to and support the thesis
• Assertions are developed using examples, evidence, explanation, and facts.
• Introduction and conclusion clearly relate and support the thesis


Organization
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Has an introduction and conclusion
• Has a clear thesis that guides the paper
• Has a topic sentence for each assertion
• Uses transitions to flow between paragraphs


Sentence Fluency
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Uses sentences that flow and sound natural when read aloud
• Varies patterns, lengths, and beginnings of sentences
• Has a control over simple and complex sentences.
•
Conventions
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Demonstrates control of standard writing conventions
-punctuation
-spelling
-capitalization
-paragraph breaks
-grammar/usage
Word Choice
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Chooses words that work
• Attempts to use colorful language
• Occasionally experiments with language, and generally avoids clichés.

Voice
1 2 3 4 5 6
The writer:
• Gives the reader a sense of interaction with the writer
• Demonstrates a commitment to the topic
• Writes in a lively, sincere, or humorous way when appropriate

Final Draft on time and typed: _____/10
Outline is completed and evidence of drafting _____/20
Total CIM score:__________ _____/60
Total: _____/90

9-2-2009 Rough drafts!

Lesson:

We started class by practicing writing an assertion paragraph. Here are some tips:

Well-organized paragraphs have four components that work together to produce a coherent, unified product. Think of each paragraph as a mini-essay endeavoring to prove one aspect of your thesis statement. That is, each paragraph should:
* make a debatable claim (assertion/ topic sentence)
* provide proof for that claim (the evidence or support)
* show how the evidence supports the claim (the analysis)
* contain effective transitions both within the paragraph and between paragraphs so that the reader can follow the logic of the argument (transitions).

Next we worked on introductions
Your first paragraph for this paper should include:
A way to grab your reader that fits your paper.
An overview for your reader.
Your thesis and blueprint.

Here are some good ideas for attention getters:
Introduce the subject with…
 Interesting background information
 A telling quotation
 An illustrative story (keep it brief)
 A series of questions
 Move from general to specific (zero in on your specific topic just before stating your thesis)

Introductions to avoid:

 Using obvious or worn-out expressions:
“I would like to tell you about…”
“According to the dictionary…”
 Using say-nothing sentences:
“World War II was a huge war…” (duh)
“Uncontrollable forest fire devastate the landscape.” (tell me something I don’t know)
 Asking an opinion question that your audience may say “no” to.
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an astronaut?”
Make sure your attention getter is closely related to your thesis. If it is not, it will not pull your reader into your topic.


Tips on writing an intro:
Write the intro as the next-to-last part of your paper (Title is last)
For a 3-5 page paper, make your intro 1-2 paragraphs. Put your thesis as the last sentence of your intro
The most important sentence of any paper is the first one. Make the reader want to go to the second sentence!
Do not start with dry facts, figures, or statistics such as dates of birth
Do start with sensory details, a story, or whatever works to intrigue your reader

Here's an example of a good intro:
Imagine being thrust away from your family because of an illness. Picture yourself trying to heal in a strange, new environment. Now, imagine that this environment is another country, engaged in a brutal war with your own country during a time where reports of terrible massacres are occurring on a regular basis and your family is under threat by the very people you are living with. One can imagine the cultural conflicts that would arise. This is exactly the case for the main character, Stephen, in The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama. Throughout the book he is recovering from tuberculosis in Japan while war ravishes his homeland, China. In the novel The Samurai’s Garden, Stephen is able to overcome cultural conflicts to form strong, lasting bonds with the people his country are at war with, however, he is unable to connect with the girl he loves the most due to his conflicting culture.

Then we practiced conclusions. They should include:

 Transition and echo of the thesis
 Re-cap of three main points (do not simply repeat the words)
 End interestingly with an application for reader


How do I end interestingly without sounding like a 4th grader?

 Suggest a solution to the problem
Say how info. You have presented can affect the future
 Put your ideas in a wider perspective
Move from the specifics to the deeper concerns
 Raise further questions or implications
State the limitations of your format to explain the idea
Circle back to your attention getter to show how you have developed the idea.

All we need to add now are transitions between each assertion. This can be as simple as
First of all….
Secondly…..
Finally…..
Great authors go further with these and make sure they help the paper flow together.
See me for a sheet of good transitions:
Here are a few:
first
next
finally
although
therefore
similar to that
in addition

They cn also be more complicated and tie everything all together: Metaphors (red thread)
Like an eagle the authors words soar across the page,
But, like this majestic bird, the author sinks her talons into the subject and won’t let go....

HMWK:
Rough Draft of your Samurai's Garden Theme Paper
You can find an outline on the assignments page if you have not done one yet. This MUST be done before the rough draft,
You can find the CIM grading sheet on the assignment page as well.

Samurai's Garden paper outline

Name(s): _______________________________________ School: _________ Section: _________


TOPIC:_________________________________________________________________________
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter and short background: ______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

B. Thesis & Blueprint____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

II. Transition and TOPIC SENTENCE A: First supporting argument, illustration or piece of evidence in support of your thesis

Supporting details: Provide specifics about the paragraph A topic. (include a cited passage)
1.
2.

3.

4.

III. Transition and TOPIC SENTENCE B: Second supporting argument, illustration or piece of evidence in support of your thesis


Supporting details: Provide specifics about the paragraph B topic. (include a cited passage)
1.

2.
3.

4.


IV. Transition and TOPIC SENTENCE C: Third supporting argument, illustration or piece of evidence in support of your thesis


Supporting details: Provide specifics about the paragraph C topic. (include a cited passage)
1.
2.


3.
4.

V. Conclusion: Write a thoughtful, original, creative summary, rewording, or review of your thesis. Be careful to avoid introducing any new ideas as this is a restatement of what you have already proven!
A. Transition and echo of thesis____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

B. Remind reader of three main points______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

C. End interestingly with an application for your reader_________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

VI. TITLE: The last thing you need to do is create a title. An example of a title for an expository essay:
Love and Loyalty on the Homefront: A Comparison of Penelope in The Odyssey
and Penny in O’ Brother, Where Art Thou?
Or, if you are writing a persuasive essay:
The Romans: Why Military Expansion Led to Their Downfall
Your Title
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The focus of this paper may be on one or more of the following writing conventions,

_____ Introduction (writing "hooks" as part of the introduction)
_____ Writing conclusions (do new ideas ever fit here?)
_____ Thesis development (the key to any writing)
_____ Citations (the when, where, and how of citing in MLA style)
_____ Integrating quotes (provide clear signal phrases that include author’s name)
_____ How to paraphrase (retelling information in roughly the same number of words)
_____ Voice: writing for the proper audience (writing “voice” changes based on your audience)
_____ Writing effective titles (sets the tone. Your reader’s first impression is formed)
_____ Rewriting and editing (the importance of proof-reading and fixing mistakes)
_____ Conventions: Grammar and syntax (the key to your paper making sense)

Theme Capsule Planning Sheet

Theme Capsule Planning Name:________________________

Choose three topics that interest you from the book The Samurai’s Garden. Below that topic write down questions the author raises about this topic.

1. Topic:___________________________________
Question:______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Topic:___________________________________
Question:______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Topic:___________________________________
Question:______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now………brainstorm answers for these questions both your answers and Tsukiyama’s answers.
#1 #2 #3





















Choose two of the above topics and find quotes that support the statements you are making. You must explain how these quotes back up the point you want to make.

















Brainstorm symbols, song lyrics, poems, etc. that you might want to use on your final project.






What materials will you need to complete this project?

Samurai Garden Close Reading (Pages 73-95) In-class assignment (complete, if you were absent, on your own),

Poetic Language in Samurai’s Garden Names _______________________
20 points _______________________

Part I:
1. Choose a passage from pgs.73-95 to read closely. Try to choose a passage that strikes you as particularly descriptive, important, or beautiful. It should be between 5 and 10 sentences long. Transcribe the passage, in your neatest handwriting, here:

























2. Look at the passage as if it is a poem. On the passage, above, note the details of language that you look for when studying poetry (word choice, tone/mood, sentence/line length, natural/sensory imagery, metaphors/similes, space between words, etc.). Also note any other observations about the way Tsukiyama uses language. (7 points)

3. Summarize your observations about the particular mood/tone of this passage, and how Gail Tsukiyama achieves this (3 points).






(Over →)
Part II:
1. Explain what this passage shows you, the reader, about each of the characters involved. (Note what they do and don’t say/think. Read between the lines.) (2 points)







2. How does this passage contribute to the plot of The Samurai’s Garden, as a whole? Think about how it moves the plot forward; what it shows about characters’ emotions; etc. (2 points)





3. Look at the list of themes on your Samurai’s Garden theme chart. Name two themes that are relevant to this passage. Explain the presence of this theme in this particular passage using specific words/phrases from the passage to describe the relevant theme. Lastly, explain what you think Gail Tsukiyama’s message about this theme is. (6 points)

a. Theme 1: _______________________
Explain:




What do you think Gail Tsukiyama’s message about this theme is?



b. Theme 2: _______________________
Explain:



What do you think Gail Tsukiyama’s message about this theme is?

Samurai Book Groups

Global Literature Name: _________________________
The Samurai’s Garden

IMPORTANT: To receive full credit, write the assignment number and letter, and your name on all of your assignments.

All work should be neat and typed (12 pt. font) or neatly handwritten in blue or black ink. Assignments will be stamped on the day they are due. Late work will receive reduced credit. Every assignment is worth 20 points. Students will receive individual grades.

Work will receive grades based on effort (specific references/quotes from the book), creativity (where appropriate) and neatness. Be sure to read instructions carefully. Late work will automatically lose 25%, and then will be graded.

If all work is in and on time on the day it’s due, each group member will receive an additional 2 points. Maximum score possible: 22/20!!! ☺

Even if you are absent, you are still expected to keep up with these deadlines. Plan ahead. If you know you won’t be in class, have someone bring your assignment for you. If you are physically unable to do the assignment and have it turned in on time, it needs a note from a parent, attached to the assignment when you turn it in, in order to receive full credit.

Group members have the right to take on the work of non-participating members from their group and may complete that student’s assignments for extra credit. The non-participating student will need to complete his/her own work and turn it in independently, with a penalty of 5 points.

Assignment One: Samurai’s Garden pp. 1 – 53 Due _________________

____ A. Japanese Gardens (3 parts)

1. Research traditional Japanese gardens. Be sure to use reliable resources (look for “.edu” or “.gov.”)

2. Make sure to find information about the following: What are the elements of the elements of traditional Japanese gardens including karesansui (“dry landscape)? What role do gardens play in traditional Japanese culture? Why are they important? How do people use them? How has the role of gardens changed over time?

3. Write an expository paper answering the questions above. Make sure to use your own words and cite your sources – include in-text citations (in parentheses) for each quote or fact and a list of works cited at the end. One page typed double-spaced minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.



____ B. Leprosy (3 parts)

1. Research leprosy using reliable sources (look for “.edu” or “.gov.”)

2. Make sure to find information about the following: What is it? How is it contracted? Is it treatable? How were lepers treated in Japan, and specifically in Yamaguchi/Tarumi? How are they treated today? Where in the world is leprosy still endemic?

3. Write an expository paper answering the questions above. Make sure to use your own words and cite your sources – include in-text citations (in parentheses) for each quote or fact and a list of works cited at the end. One page typed double-spaced minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.

______ C. Japanese Festivals (3 parts)

1. Research each of these four festivals: Shobun No Hi, Ganjitsu, Setsuban, and Obon. Use reliable sources (look for “.edu” or “.gov.”)

2. Be sure to find information to answer the following questions: When is it held? What is the reason for this festival? What are some of the typical traditional customs related to this festival? How are the festivals typically celebrated today (how have the customs changed over time)?

3. Write an expository paper answering the questions above. Make sure to use your own words and cite your sources – include in-text citations (in parentheses) for each quote or fact and a list of works cited at the end. One page typed double-spaced minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.


Assignment Two: Samurai’s Garden pp. 54 – 95 Due _________________

_____ A. Illustrated Settings (3 parts)

1. Setting can be multi-layered. Think of physical and emotional landscapes (the emotional response to a place) in the novel. For example, notice how loneliness, solitude, and longing affect characters in the novel.

2. Next, create TWO scrapbook pages – one for Tarumi and one for Yamaguchi. Find pictures, and/or create your own illustrations of the two villages.

3. Add quotes, song lyrics, descriptions and at least FOUR quotations from the text to give an accurate portrayal of the setting (both physical and emotional) and the role these settings play in the lives of the characters. Written portion should be typed double-spaced or neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.

____ B. Japanese Garden Drawing (3 parts)

1. Create a drawing of a Japanese garden.

2. Include at least 5 different traditional elements - both green AND dry ones. Use the information you gained during the last assignment. Pay close attention to the description of the gardens in the novel; use them to guide you.

3. Write a description of your garden as if you were strolling through it, explaining the different elements you included. Try to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. At the end of your description create a numbered list of the garden elements you included. Your drawing should be neat, on unlined paper, and in full color. The written portion should be ½ page typed double-spaced minimum (list not included), ¾ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.

____ C. Japanese Poetry (3 parts)

1. Find a poem, written by a poet from Japan, that relates to The Samuai’s Garden.

2. Present the poem in an aesthetically pleasing way that relates to the meaning of the poem (typed, calligraphy, pictures, background or bordered paper etc.). Make sure that you include the date the poem was written, the author, and the country it is from.

3. Then, interpret the poem and discuss how it relates to The Samurai’s Garden. Be sure to include specific examples, at least one quote from the novel, and the topic or theme the poem addresses. Some questions you might answer include: Does the poet seem to have the same point of view on this subject as the author? Why/why not? Would a character in the book write this poem or feel delighted to receive this poem? How can you tell? 3/4 page typed double-spaced minimum; 1 page neatly handwritten in blue/black ink.


Assignment Three: Samurai’s Garden pp. 96 – 159. Due _________________

______ A. Healing (3 parts)

1. Discuss the topic of healing in this novel. What questions does the author pose about healing? How does she answer them? How do the different characters heal? What elements seem needed for healing, according to the author? Use specific examples and at least two quotes from the text.

2. How is healing defined in our society (not just in the dictionary)? Is it different/similar to the ideas about healing seen in this novel? How? Why do you think this might be?

3. How does “healing” apply to your life? When have you or someone you know undergone significant physical healing? Emotional healing? What, if anything, hindered the process? What helped you/them heal? What might have been even more helpful? Provide specific examples. 1 page typed minimum, 1 ½ page handwritten in blue/black ink.

______ B. Honor:

1. Discuss the topic of honor in this novel. What questions does the author pose about honor? How does she answer them? How do the different characters show honor? Use specific examples and at least two quotes from the text.

2. How is honor defined in our society? Is it different/similar to the ideas about honor seen in this novel? How? Why do you think this might be?

3. How does “honor” apply to your life? When have you done something you considered honorable or dishonorable? Was it difficult? Why/why not? How did this action affect you? Why do you think you acted this way? Provide specific examples. 1 page typed minimum, 1 ½ page handwritten in blue/black ink.

______C. Nature

1. Discuss the topic of nature in this novel. What questions does the author pose about land/environment? How does she answer them? How do the different characters show a connection to the natural environment? How does “nature” affect them? Use specific examples and at least two quotes from the text.

2. How is “nature” defined in our society? Is it different/similar to the idea of “nature” seen in this novel? How? Why do you think this might be?

3. How does “nature” apply to your life? What “counts” as “nature” to you? What kind of relationship do you have with nature? How are you/have you been affected by nature? Has this relationship changed over time? How? Do you ever wish it were different? How? Why? Provide specific examples. 1 page typed minimum, 1 ½ page handwritten in blue/black ink.


Assignment Four: Samurai’s Garden pp. 160 – 211 Due _________________

______ A. Relationships Symbolized

1. Think of at least four symbolic representations of relationships between characters in The Samurai’s Garden. Think about how the relationships have changed over time, how they might have been different given different circumstances, what has brought them strength or caused them to falter, etc.

2. Draw your symbols.

3. Now, explain your symbols using specific examples from the book. For example, a sword can represent the relationship between Matsu and Sachi; both have had to go though some of the hottest fires to become stronger. Swords are created in actual fire. The “fires” that Matsu and Sachi have survived include many trials; for example … (example omitted to avoid giving the book away.) They’ve been forged in many layers, which give them strength. One page typed minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue/black ink.

______ B. Themes Symbolized

1. Find four significant objects in the novel that are symbolic of themes in the novel.

2. Draw your symbols.

3. Write a description of how each object is part of the story. Then explain how these
objects are symbolic of the theme. Use specific examples. One page typed minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue/black ink.

______ C. Symbolic Kimono

1. Research Japanese characters, symbols, colors, and objects etc. Find information on the symbolic nature of objects in Japanese culture. For example, the crane is a symbol for good luck.

2. Choose one of the main characters from the book (Sachi, Matsu, or Stephen) and draw a kimono that captures the complexity of this character. Fill the kimono with the images, characters, colors it with images that best reveal this person’s true nature.

3. Include a brief explanation of your kimono. 1/2 page typed minimum, ¾ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink (be sure to include in-text citations for any facts/information gained through your research in step #1).

Zen Parables

Zen Parables

Muddy Road
Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.
Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.
“Come on, girl,” said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
Ekido did not speak again until hat night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself. “We monks don’t go near females,” he told Tanzan, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”
“I left the girl there,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”


A Parable
Buddha told a parable in a sutra.
A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.
Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine in one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted.

Publishing the Sutras
Tetsugen, a devotee of Zen Japan , decided to publish the sutras, which at the time were available only in Chinese. The books were to be printed with wood blocks in an edition of seven thousand copies, a tremendous undertaking.
Tetsugen began by traveling and collecting donations for this purpose. A few sympathizers would give him a hundred pieces of gold. but most of the time he received only small coins. He thanked each donor with equal gratitude. After ten years Tetsugen had enough money to begin his task.
It happened that at that time the Uji River overflowed. Famine followed. Tetsugen took the funds he had collected for the books and spent them to save the others from starvation. Then he began again his work of collecting.
Several years afterwards an epidemic spread over the country. Tetsugen again gave away what he had collected, to help his people.
For a third time he started his work, and after twenty years his wish was fulfilled. The printing blocks which produced the first edition of the sutras can be seen today in the Obaku monastery in Kyoto .
The Japanese tell their children that tetsugen made three sets of sutras, and that the first two invisible sets surpass even the last.



The Thief Who Became a Disciple
One evening as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras a thief with a sharp sword entered, demanding either his money or his life.
Shichri told him: “Do not disturb me. You can find money in that drawer.” Then he resumed his recitation.
A little while afterwards he stopped and called: “Don’t take it all. I need some to pay taxes tomorrow.”
The intruder gathered up most of the money and started to leave. “Thank a person when you receive a gift” Shichiri added. The man thanked him and made off.
A few days afterwards the fellow was caught and confessed, among others, the offense against Shichiri. When shichiri was called as a witness he said: “this man is no thief, at least as far as I am concerned, I gave him the money and he thanked me for it.”
After he had finished his prison term, the man went to Shichiri and became his disciple.