Question
Project Title: Text It Out! – Inferences & Textual Evidence with "Thank You, Ma'am"
You will demonstrate your ability to make inferences and support them with textual evidence by creating a realistic text message conversation based on the story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes.
Project Directions:
· Choose a moment or scene from 'Thank You, Ma'am' that contains clues about a character's feelings, motivations, or actions.
· On the LEFT side of your half poster, create a 'phone screen' showing a text message conversation between two characters or between yourself and a character. Each bubble should show an inference or what a character might say.
· On the RIGHT side, provide direct quotes from the text that support each inference. Use arrows, numbers, or color-coding to connect evidence to inferences.
· Under each quote, briefly explain how the evidence supports your inference.
· Be creative and neat — use colors, realistic phone bubbles, and clear handwriting.
· Be prepared to explain your poster to the class.
Phone Screen Template Section:
Use this space to sketch or attach your phone screen layout. (Draw bubbles for the conversation.)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
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Textual Evidence Section:
List direct quotes from the text that support each inference.
1. Inference: _________________________ Quote: __________________________ Explanation: _________________________
2. Inference: _________________________ Quote: __________________________ Explanation: _________________________
3. Inference: _________________________ Quote: __________________________ Explanation: _________________________
100-Point Rubric
Criteria Description Points
Text Message Thread Creative, realistic text message conversation that clearly shows inferences. 25
Textual Evidence Correctly chosen direct quotes from the text that match each inference. 25
Connections/Explanations Student clearly explains how each piece of evidence supports the inference. 25
Neatness & Creativity Poster is organized, colorful, and visually appealing (phone screen looks realistic). 15
Presentation Student explains their poster to the class. 10
Total 100
Tips for Success:
· Start early so you have time to reread the story and find strong evidence.
· Double-check that each inference has a matching quote from the story.
· Use color-coding or numbers to show which quote goes with which inference.
· Practice explaining your poster before you present to the class.
· This document and the story “Thank You, M
You will demonstrate your ability to make inferences and support them with textual evidence by creating a realistic text message conversation based on the story "Thank You, Ma'am" by Langston Hughes.
Project Directions:
· Choose a moment or scene from 'Thank You, Ma'am' that contains clues about a character's feelings, motivations, or actions.
· On the LEFT side of your half poster, create a 'phone screen' showing a text message conversation between two characters or between yourself and a character. Each bubble should show an inference or what a character might say.
· On the RIGHT side, provide direct quotes from the text that support each inference. Use arrows, numbers, or color-coding to connect evidence to inferences.
· Under each quote, briefly explain how the evidence supports your inference.
· Be creative and neat — use colors, realistic phone bubbles, and clear handwriting.
· Be prepared to explain your poster to the class.
Phone Screen Template Section:
Use this space to sketch or attach your phone screen layout. (Draw bubbles for the conversation.)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Textual Evidence Section:
List direct quotes from the text that support each inference.
1. Inference: _________________________ Quote: __________________________ Explanation: _________________________
2. Inference: _________________________ Quote: __________________________ Explanation: _________________________
3. Inference: _________________________ Quote: __________________________ Explanation: _________________________
100-Point Rubric
Criteria Description Points
Text Message Thread Creative, realistic text message conversation that clearly shows inferences. 25
Textual Evidence Correctly chosen direct quotes from the text that match each inference. 25
Connections/Explanations Student clearly explains how each piece of evidence supports the inference. 25
Neatness & Creativity Poster is organized, colorful, and visually appealing (phone screen looks realistic). 15
Presentation Student explains their poster to the class. 10
Total 100
Tips for Success:
· Start early so you have time to reread the story and find strong evidence.
· Double-check that each inference has a matching quote from the story.
· Use color-coding or numbers to show which quote goes with which inference.
· Practice explaining your poster before you present to the class.
· This document and the story “Thank You, M
Answers
GPT-5 mini
I can’t provide long verbatim passages from “Thank You, Ma’am” (copyrighted) unless you paste them here, but I can create the whole project for you with realistic text bubbles, clear inferences, paraphrased evidence, and exact locations in the story where you can copy the lines for your poster. If you want, paste any lines you want to include and I’ll format them into the poster for you.
Below is a complete ready-to-draw plan: left-side phone-screen text conversation (with each bubble showing an inference), and right-side Textual Evidence section (with the inference, a paraphrase of the supporting quote, where to find the quote in the story so you can copy it exactly, and a short explanation).
Phone Screen (Left side — conversation between Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger)
- Mrs. Jones (blue bubble): “You try to snatch my purse again, I’ll teach you a lesson.”
(Inference: She’s fierce and won’t be pushed around.)
- Roger (gray bubble): “I didn’t mean to — I’m sorry.”
(Inference: He feels ashamed and guilty.)
- Mrs. Jones (blue): “Come on. We’re going home. You need to clean up.”
(Inference: She takes charge and decides to control the situation.)
- Roger (gray): “Why are you being nice to me?”
(Inference: He’s surprised by unexpected kindness and distrustful of adults.)
- Mrs. Jones (blue): “I’ve had my share of mistakes. You better learn.”
(Inference: She understands mistakes and wants to teach him, not punish him harshly.)
- Roger (gray): “I wanted money for a pair of shoes.”
(Inference: His actions were driven by need/temptation rather than malice.)
- Mrs. Jones (blue): “Here — take this. And behave yourself.”
(Inference: She gives him a second chance and trusts him to do better.)
- Roger (gray): “Thank you, ma’am.”
(Inference: He’s genuinely grateful and humbled.)
Textual Evidence Section (Right side — connect each bubble to evidence)
1) Inference: Mrs. Jones is tough and will not be intimidated.
Paraphrased supporting quote: Mrs. Jones grabs Roger when he tries to steal and holds him fast; she drags him to her door.
Where to find it: Opening scuffle scene (first third of the story, right after the theft attempt).
Explanation: The action (physically overpowering him and taking him home) shows she is strong, decisive, and unwilling to be a victim.
2) Inference: Roger is ashamed, vulnerable, and acted out of need rather than cruelty.
Paraphrased supporting quote: The narrator describes Roger as young, frail, and embarrassed; later he admits he wanted money for shoes.
Where to find it: Early physical description of Roger; his quiet confession during the house scene.
Explanation: His physical description and his explanation for stealing indicate vulnerability and a motive (wanting shoes), which makes his theft seem like desperation rather than viciousness.
3) Inference: Mrs. Jones is compassionate, believes in second chances, and teaches by caring.
Paraphrased supporting quote: Instead of calling the police, she cleans Roger’s face, feeds him, speaks about having made mistakes, and gives him money while telling him to behave.
Where to find it: Middle and ending scenes at her apartment (washing his face, giving him food, the “I’ve done things too” speech, and the money/parting lines).
Explanation: Her actions (hospitality, sharing life lessons, and giving him money) show she wants to help Roger grow rather than punish him — a clear act of empathy and guidance.
How to add exact quotes for your poster
- Re-read the specific scenes I indicated (opening scuffle; inside her apartment; the final part where she gives him money).
- Pick one short direct sentence or phrase per inference to paste into your right column. Keep each quote short (one sentence works best for neatness). If you share any lines here, I’ll help place them and refine the explanations.
Design & Presentation Tips (for neatness/creativity)
- Color-code: use one color for Mrs. Jones’ bubbles and matching color for the evidence box that supports those bubbles; another color for Roger’s bubbles and evidence. Draw connecting arrows or numbers.
- Use realistic phone bubbles: rounded rectangles, timestamps optional. Hand-letter the character names lightly above bubbles.
- For each evidence box, write the quote (in quotation marks), then a one-sentence explanation under it.
- Practice a 1–2 minute explanation: summarize the scene, point to each bubble and quote, and explain how the evidence supports your inferences.
- Bring a copy of the story or note the page/paragraph numbers so you can read quotes aloud if asked.
If you want, I can:
- Format the exact text-message conversation so you can transfer it directly to your poster.
- Help you pick exact short quotes if you paste the story lines here or give me the lines you’d like to use.
Which scene do you want me to format first as a printable/hand-copy version — the entire conversation above, or a shorter version with only three bubbles and three matching quotes?
Below is a complete ready-to-draw plan: left-side phone-screen text conversation (with each bubble showing an inference), and right-side Textual Evidence section (with the inference, a paraphrase of the supporting quote, where to find the quote in the story so you can copy it exactly, and a short explanation).
Phone Screen (Left side — conversation between Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones and Roger)
- Mrs. Jones (blue bubble): “You try to snatch my purse again, I’ll teach you a lesson.”
(Inference: She’s fierce and won’t be pushed around.)
- Roger (gray bubble): “I didn’t mean to — I’m sorry.”
(Inference: He feels ashamed and guilty.)
- Mrs. Jones (blue): “Come on. We’re going home. You need to clean up.”
(Inference: She takes charge and decides to control the situation.)
- Roger (gray): “Why are you being nice to me?”
(Inference: He’s surprised by unexpected kindness and distrustful of adults.)
- Mrs. Jones (blue): “I’ve had my share of mistakes. You better learn.”
(Inference: She understands mistakes and wants to teach him, not punish him harshly.)
- Roger (gray): “I wanted money for a pair of shoes.”
(Inference: His actions were driven by need/temptation rather than malice.)
- Mrs. Jones (blue): “Here — take this. And behave yourself.”
(Inference: She gives him a second chance and trusts him to do better.)
- Roger (gray): “Thank you, ma’am.”
(Inference: He’s genuinely grateful and humbled.)
Textual Evidence Section (Right side — connect each bubble to evidence)
1) Inference: Mrs. Jones is tough and will not be intimidated.
Paraphrased supporting quote: Mrs. Jones grabs Roger when he tries to steal and holds him fast; she drags him to her door.
Where to find it: Opening scuffle scene (first third of the story, right after the theft attempt).
Explanation: The action (physically overpowering him and taking him home) shows she is strong, decisive, and unwilling to be a victim.
2) Inference: Roger is ashamed, vulnerable, and acted out of need rather than cruelty.
Paraphrased supporting quote: The narrator describes Roger as young, frail, and embarrassed; later he admits he wanted money for shoes.
Where to find it: Early physical description of Roger; his quiet confession during the house scene.
Explanation: His physical description and his explanation for stealing indicate vulnerability and a motive (wanting shoes), which makes his theft seem like desperation rather than viciousness.
3) Inference: Mrs. Jones is compassionate, believes in second chances, and teaches by caring.
Paraphrased supporting quote: Instead of calling the police, she cleans Roger’s face, feeds him, speaks about having made mistakes, and gives him money while telling him to behave.
Where to find it: Middle and ending scenes at her apartment (washing his face, giving him food, the “I’ve done things too” speech, and the money/parting lines).
Explanation: Her actions (hospitality, sharing life lessons, and giving him money) show she wants to help Roger grow rather than punish him — a clear act of empathy and guidance.
How to add exact quotes for your poster
- Re-read the specific scenes I indicated (opening scuffle; inside her apartment; the final part where she gives him money).
- Pick one short direct sentence or phrase per inference to paste into your right column. Keep each quote short (one sentence works best for neatness). If you share any lines here, I’ll help place them and refine the explanations.
Design & Presentation Tips (for neatness/creativity)
- Color-code: use one color for Mrs. Jones’ bubbles and matching color for the evidence box that supports those bubbles; another color for Roger’s bubbles and evidence. Draw connecting arrows or numbers.
- Use realistic phone bubbles: rounded rectangles, timestamps optional. Hand-letter the character names lightly above bubbles.
- For each evidence box, write the quote (in quotation marks), then a one-sentence explanation under it.
- Practice a 1–2 minute explanation: summarize the scene, point to each bubble and quote, and explain how the evidence supports your inferences.
- Bring a copy of the story or note the page/paragraph numbers so you can read quotes aloud if asked.
If you want, I can:
- Format the exact text-message conversation so you can transfer it directly to your poster.
- Help you pick exact short quotes if you paste the story lines here or give me the lines you’d like to use.
Which scene do you want me to format first as a printable/hand-copy version — the entire conversation above, or a shorter version with only three bubbles and three matching quotes?