Please note - Students MUST use this organizer. If students submit this assignment in any other format, the assignment will be sent back to the student and a “1” will be placed in the grade book until the student resubmits.

Question

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Prompt

Some big ideas in I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban are identity, women’s rights, the power of education, activism and change, and courage.

Pick one of these big ideas and formulate a theme statement.

Complete this graphic organizer to discuss this theme.
Run your assignment through Check My Work and add the link to the bottom of this organizer.

Watch this INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO for step-by-step instructions on how to complete this assignment!

Finding a Theme
How to Make a Copy of a Document so You Can Type on It

RUBRIC

This will count as a portfolio grade!

If you need extra support, watch this VIDEO on the CEA method of answering a literary analysis paragraph. CEA stands for “Claim, Evidence, Analysis”. That’s the format that we use for writing a literary analysis paragraph.

Reminders
-Use transitions to improve the flow of your ideas.
-Do NOT use first or second person personal pronouns, (I, me, you), except in the last part of the assignment, (Concluding Thoughts).
-Always write in the PRESENT TENSE when you discuss literature.

Topic/TAG Sentence
Write your topic sentence. Include TAG (title, author, genre) and your theme statement.
Click here if you need help crafting your theme statement.

The title of a nonfiction work needs to be in italicized and the main words need to be capitalized.

Genre means type of writing: memoir, biography, autobiography, novel, short story, fable, poem, play, letter, etc.

Template: The theme of the (genre) (title) by (author) is (theme statement).

Example: The theme of the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell is that the strong of will and of intellect will generally survive through challenging situations.
Type here.

Evidence
Include a DIRECT QUOTE from the selection to support your theme statement.

You MUST copy the author’s words exactly as they appear in the selection.

You need to introduce your quote with a lead-in. Provide context for your quote.

The quote must be in quotation marks, and you need to provide a citation in MLA format.
Your MLA citation should include: (Author’s Last Name Page #).
Example: (Smith 36).
If there isn’t a page number, then you may omit it.

Note: The period comes AFTER the citation. If the punctuation mark is a question mark or an exclamation point, it comes INSIDE the quotation marks. You then add a period after the citation.

Template: For example, when… (provide context/ lead-in), the author states, (“quote”) (citation).

Example: For example, when the antagonist is speaking about hunting with the protagonist, the author writes, “The world is made up of two classes-the hunters and the huntees” (Connell 13).
Type here.

Analysis
This is where you get to share YOUR ideas about the claim.

Write 3-4 well-developed sentences to show HOW the evidence that you chose supports your claim about the theme.
This should be in YOUR words and should present YOUR ideas. Do not plagiarize.

Template: This reveals the theme of (theme statement) because (analysis).

Example: This reveals the theme that only the strong will survive because it implies that there are some people who will rise to the top and overtake those who are weaker and less successful.
Type here.

Evidence
Include a 2nd DIRECT QUOTE from the text to support your theme statement.

Template: Another example that shows the (genre)’s theme is when (lead-in), (“quote”) (citation).
Example: Another example that reveals the short story’s theme is when the antagonist, General Zaroff, says to Rainsford, “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong” (Connell 17).

Type here.

Analysis
Write 3-4 well-developed sentences to show HOW the evidence that you chose supports your claim.
Template: This reveals the theme of (theme) because (analysis).

Example: This reveals the theme of survival of the fittest because the author implies that intelligence and the ability to adapt to a situation are as important to survival as is strength.
Type here.

Concluding Thoughts
Add 4-5 sentences that wrap up the main idea of your paragraph.
Include your opinion on the theme and text.
What were your takeaways from the text?

Type here.

Link to Check My Work

Answer 1

Finding a Theme Graphic Organizer

Topic/TAG Sentence
The theme of the memoir I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai is that the power of education is essential for social change and empowerment, particularly for women.

Evidence
For example, when Malala discusses the importance of education for girls in her society, she states, "One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world" (Yousafzai 112).

Analysis
This reveals the theme that the power of education is essential for social change and empowerment as it highlights the profound impact that individuals can have when they are educated. The statement emphasizes that education serves as a tool for awakening potential and fostering leadership among young people. By focusing on a child, a teacher, a pen, and a book, Malala underscores the collective effort needed to bring about meaningful change in society, illustrating how education can spawn a ripple effect and inspire others to advocate for their rights.

Evidence
Another example that shows the memoir's theme is when Malala emphasizes, "I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard" (Yousafzai 12).

Analysis
This reveals the theme of the power of education being essential for social change and empowerment because it suggests that education gives individuals the courage to speak out and become advocates for themselves and others. Malala's declaration signifies that her education empowers her to uplift those who are oppressed, thereby spreading awareness about injustices. This further illustrates that education is not just a personal benefit but also a collective responsibility, empowering individuals to contribute to societal transformation.

Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, I Am Malala powerfully illustrates the theme that the empowerment and social change stemming from education, especially for women, can create profound effects on communities. Malala's journey reflects the struggles many girls face around the world in pursuit of education and their rights. From the memoir, it is clear that education serves as a catalyst for change, enabling individuals to challenge oppressive systems and advocate for a better future. My takeaway from the text is the importance of perseverance in fighting for one’s educational rights and the responsibility we all share to support equitable education for all.

Link to Check My Work
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