English III - Manasquan Public Schools



English III Name ________

“A Worn Path”

Lesson: use specific details from the text to support your position / answer. Always quote properly and explain your direct quote.

Directions: Upon finishing Eudora Welty’s story “A Worn Path” an interesting question arises: Is Phoenix’s grandson alive, or is he dead? Evidence in the text supports either possibility. Reread closely the final scene, when Phoenix reaches the doctor’s office. Find two distinct details that suggest he is alive, and two that suggest he is not. For each, write brief explanations of 2-3 sentences, introducing a quote from the text and explaining how the quote supports the position.

Activity: Complete the chart on the back of this page, meeting the requirements outlined in the chart above. Use the chart below to gather ideas, but write your answers on the back of the page.

Phoenix’s grandson is Phoenix’s grandson is

dead alive

Phoenix’s grandson is Phoenix’s grandson is

dead alive

1. 1.

2. 2.

Sample Analytical Paragraph

“A Worn Path”

Directions: Proofread the paragraph below, identifying several strengths of the paragraph, but also revising at least 5 errors in the writing. Make the revisions on this sheet. In your notes, create a list of DO’s and DON’Ts: do the strengths, don’t do the errors you revised.

In Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path,” a question that comes to the minds of the readers is: is Phoenix’s grandson alive or dead? After re-reading key parts of the short story, I believe that her grandson is dead. Through hints and the dialogue between characters, Eudora Welty gives the impression that Phoenix’s grandson was dead. After Phoenix’s long and difficult journey into town, she arrived at the medical office and was asked by the nurse, “Now, how is the boy?” Phoenix did not respond to the question, which implies that her grandson is dead. If he is alive, that would have been a simple question to answer. After the nurse asked Phoenix, the author said, “Her face very solemn and withdrawn into rigidity,” which also indicates her grandson is dead, because she is suddenly upset. Another reference that makes reader believe he is dead is when the nurse read Phoenix’s card and said, “Yes swallowed lye, when was it? January – two – three years ago -.” Phoenix immediately began explaining that her grandson is still alive and defending herself. This particular event makes readers believe Phoenix Jackson is in denial and not accepting the death of her grandson. Phoenix’s belief that he is still alive could be the result of old age and losing her memory, making it hard to remember and easier to move on with life and feel she has a purpose. In conclusion, Eudora Welty hides clues throughout the story to inform you that Phoenix Jackson’s grandson is unfortunately dead.

** DO’s and DON’Ts **

1. _

2. _

3. _

4. _

5. _

6. _

7. _

8. _

9. _

10.

English III

Sample Analytical Paragraph

“A Worn Path”

Directions: Proofread the paragraph below, revising at least 10 errors in the writing. Make the revisions on this sheet. In your notes, create a list of DO’s and DON’Ts

In Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path,” a question that comes to the minds of the readers is: is Phoenix’s grandson alive or dead? After re-reading key parts of the short story, I believe that her grandson is dead. Through hints and the dialogue between characters, Eudora Welty gives the impression that Phoenix’s grandson was dead. After Phoenix’s long and difficult journey into town, she arrived at the medical office and was asked by the nurse, “Now, how is the boy?” Phoenix did not respond to the question, which implies that her grandson is dead. If he is alive, that would have been a simple question to answer. After the nurse asked Phoenix, the author said, “Her face very solemn and withdrawn into rigidity,” (638) which also indicates her grandson is dead, because she is suddenly upset. Another reference that makes readers believe he is dead is when the nurse read Phoenix’s card and said, “Yes swallowed lye, when was it? January – two – three years ago -” (639). Phoenix immediately began explaining that her grandson is still alive and defending herself. This particular event makes readers believe Phoenix Jackson is in denial and not accepting the death of her grandson. Phoenix’s belief that he is still alive could be the result of old age and losing her memory, making it hard to remember and easier to move on with life and feel she has a purpose. In conclusion, Eudora Welty hides clues throughout the story to inform you that Phoenix Jackson’s grandson is unfortunately dead.

** DO’s and DON’Ts **

1. 3rd POV; not 1st POV (Elim “I believe”)

2. Avoid repetitive wording (dead/dead) – combine sentences to rewrite; vary word choice (dead/no longer alive)

3. Verb tense shift (“is dead/was dead”) - Must be consistent; should be present tense

4. Transitions (avoid “another reason why”… “another reference”) – choose better transition from worksheet (“In addition”…”Furthermore”)

5. Parallel Structure - create balance in wording of complex sentences (think – “hard… and …easier”; should be “hard and easy” or “harder and easier”)

6. Names – first time author OR character is named: last and first; after that, only use first OR last… last for names of people, first for characters (unless character is usually referred to by last…)

7. Examples are presented and followed with explanation (WHY).

8. Direct quotes are used as specific examples.

9. The question (task) is consistently focused upon.

10. Ending repeats task.

English III

Sample Analytical Paragraph

“A Worn Path”

Revised

In Eudora Welty’s short story “A Worn Path,” a question that comes to the minds of the readers is: is Phoenix Jackson’s grandson alive or dead? Through various details and dialogue, Welty gives the impression that the boy is dead. For example, after Phoenix’s long and difficult journey into town, she arrives at the medical office and is asked by the nurse, “Now, how is the boy?” Phoenix does not respond to the question, which implies that her grandson is no longer alive. If he were still not dead, that would be a simple question to answer. Furthermore, as Phoenix sits in speechless silence, the author describes her face as “very solemn and withdrawn into rigidity,” which also indicates that her grandson is dead, because she is suddenly upset. Next, the nurse reads Phoenix’s card and says, “Yes swallowed lye, when was it? January – two – three years ago -.” Phoenix immediately begins explaining that her grandson is still alive and defending herself. This makes readers believe Phoenix is in denial, and cannot accept her grandson’s death. Phoenix’s belief that he is still alive could be the result of old age and losing her memory, making it hard to remember and easier to move on with life and feel she has a purpose. In conclusion, Welty’s clues throughout the story strongly suggest that Phoenix ‘s grandson is unfortunately dead.

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