Question
In at least two complete paragraphs (one paragraph being 4-7 complete sentences), answer the below writing prompt. When finished, check your work against the provided rubric. Don't forget to include a Check My Work (CMW) link with your response or your writing will receive a temporary zero until one is provided. See the message board for class for tutorials and help on how to use Check My Work.
In The Story of My Life, Helen Keller describes the dedication and effort Annie Sullivan showed in teaching Keller to communicate and helping Keller in her education. In at least one complete paragraph, explain how and why Helen’s emotions toward Miss Sullivan undergo a radical transformation between the time they first meet until Annie finally establishes a connection with the young girl. In a second paragraph, explain how Keller connects with the reader and builds empathy for her situation through her rhetoric and use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.
In each paragraph: quote the text at least once, fully explain the relevance of your quote in the context of the writing prompt, and provide a correct in-text citations for each quote/paraphrase/summary.
Rubric
/2 Writing is provided in at least two complete paragraphs.
/2 Writing fully answers the prompt and stays on topic from start to finish.
/2 Each paragraph contains at least one direct quote from the text
/2 Each quote is fully explained
/2 Grammar and Usage is mostly correct.
(10 points)
In The Story of My Life, Helen Keller describes the dedication and effort Annie Sullivan showed in teaching Keller to communicate and helping Keller in her education. In at least one complete paragraph, explain how and why Helen’s emotions toward Miss Sullivan undergo a radical transformation between the time they first meet until Annie finally establishes a connection with the young girl. In a second paragraph, explain how Keller connects with the reader and builds empathy for her situation through her rhetoric and use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.
In each paragraph: quote the text at least once, fully explain the relevance of your quote in the context of the writing prompt, and provide a correct in-text citations for each quote/paraphrase/summary.
Rubric
/2 Writing is provided in at least two complete paragraphs.
/2 Writing fully answers the prompt and stays on topic from start to finish.
/2 Each paragraph contains at least one direct quote from the text
/2 Each quote is fully explained
/2 Grammar and Usage is mostly correct.
(10 points)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In "The Story of My Life," Helen Keller’s transformation in her feelings toward Annie Sullivan is profound and pivotal. Initially, Keller views Miss Sullivan with resentment and frustration; her entry into her life signifies another source of restriction and struggle. Keller recalls her feelings at their first meeting, stating, "I was disheartened and dismayed," reflecting the isolation and bitterness she felt at that moment (Keller 44). This initial negative impression stems from Keller’s inability to comprehend the purpose of Miss Sullivan’s presence and her own sense of captivity within a silent world. As Sullivan begins to teach Keller, however, her approach shifts from punishment to patience; she employs novel methods that spark Keller's curiosity and interest. Eventually, Keller exclaims, "I felt as if I were walking through a door that had long stood closed" (Keller 56). This powerful image illustrates not only Keller’s emotional transformation from hostility to gratitude but also signifies her awakening to the world around her—a vital breakthrough that establishes a strong bond between teacher and student.
Keller's narrative is not solely a recounting of her own struggles but an invitation for the reader to empathize with her plight, masterfully utilizing rhetorical strategies such as Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. For instance, Keller evokes Pathos with vivid descriptions of her frustration and despair, guiding readers to feel the intensity of her experiences. She notes, "I could not understand the things I saw, and I could not understand the things I felt" (Keller 108), allowing readers to connect emotionally with her sense of helplessness and confusion. Furthermore, her use of Ethos enhances her credibility; as someone who has undergone immense challenges and growth, Keller embodies resilience, inspiring readers to believe in the power of education and determination. Logos, or logical reasoning, is also present as Keller articulates her journey towards communication, detailing how Sullivan’s methods systematically dismantled her barriers to learning. By using these rhetorical devices effectively, Keller engages the reader not just as an observer of her journey but as a participant in her emotional and intellectual awakening, fostering a deep sense of compassion for her situation.
**Check My Work(CMW):** [Insert CMW link here]
**Works Cited:**
Keller, Helen. *The Story of My Life*. Dover Publications, 1996.
Keller's narrative is not solely a recounting of her own struggles but an invitation for the reader to empathize with her plight, masterfully utilizing rhetorical strategies such as Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. For instance, Keller evokes Pathos with vivid descriptions of her frustration and despair, guiding readers to feel the intensity of her experiences. She notes, "I could not understand the things I saw, and I could not understand the things I felt" (Keller 108), allowing readers to connect emotionally with her sense of helplessness and confusion. Furthermore, her use of Ethos enhances her credibility; as someone who has undergone immense challenges and growth, Keller embodies resilience, inspiring readers to believe in the power of education and determination. Logos, or logical reasoning, is also present as Keller articulates her journey towards communication, detailing how Sullivan’s methods systematically dismantled her barriers to learning. By using these rhetorical devices effectively, Keller engages the reader not just as an observer of her journey but as a participant in her emotional and intellectual awakening, fostering a deep sense of compassion for her situation.
**Check My Work(CMW):** [Insert CMW link here]
**Works Cited:**
Keller, Helen. *The Story of My Life*. Dover Publications, 1996.