1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. c_wallet.txt File Contents

c_wallet.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >



Wallet Weighing


Prewrite

What can a wallet tell about its owner? Perhaps little; perhaps a lot! For example, complete the sentences by inserting your ideas between the <  > angle brackets.


June's wallet is stuffed with baseball cards. We might assume that June <  >.


Jeffrey's wallet is made of alligator skin. We might assume that Jeffrey <  >.


Caution!


It's easy to make assumptions about people based on what they possess; how they look, act, speak; and so forth. Keep in mind that these assumptions may be true or false. When we tag a person or a character with a quality or characteristic, we need to support it with evidence.



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Supporting Evidence

There are different kinds of evidence. In Wallet Weighing, we'll look at evidence based on fact or opinion. Decide if the following are statements of fact or statements of opinion.

Delete the incorrect answer.



Example 1


     June goes to see a baseball game at least twice a week all season.


Fact

Opinion



If you think the statement is "fact"; you're right. It's a statement of fact because its truth or falseness can be checked, or verified.


Example 2

June thinks baseball is more important than homework. She's playing outfielder and her books are lying on the grass.


Fact

Opinion


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)



While the second sentence in this example is a statement of fact (June and her books can be seen), the first sentence is opinion. It is a conclusion based on what we see.

When we tag a person or a character with a quality or characteristic, we need to support it with evidence.


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Choose a "Wallet Weighing Starter" below to begin writing a character sketch. Or you may write your own, using the wallet as a possession to reveal something about a character of your choice.


Wallet Weighing Starter 1

Jeffrey flashed his alligator skin wallet once too often. I wondered what might be inside.


Wallet Weighing Starter 2

June always tore open her wallet to show me each new baseball card. I couldn't decide if she had any other interests, and decided to find out.


The character I have chosen to write about is:


June

Jeffrey



You will want to draw a conclusion about your person's leading characteristics or qualities. Here is a word bank to give you some ideas. Feel free to choose a different quality that is not represented here.

Delete all the words that you feel don't describe the character you are creating, then add any additional descriptive words that come to mind.



aggressive      helpful      positive     alert
irritable       quarrelsome  bored        jealous
relaxed         casual       kind         stubborn
determined      lazy         tired        enthusiastic
morbid          vital        fearful      nonchalant
watchful        gentle       opinionated  joyful

<  >



Now complete the following sentence so it gives a brief, concise description of your character.



     My character's wallet leads me to think he/she is <  >.



Reminder:


The basis of any character sketch is to show one or two "particular" qualities or characteristics, ones that reveal the person from your perspective. You will want to support the conclusion you've drawn about the character with evidence; that is, statements of fact and/or opinion.


Examples:

June used to turn up in a Minnesota Twins sweat shirt. Now she's wearing a Chicago Cubs shirt.


I figured Jeffrey spent all his time at the reptile gardens.



List ideas that will support the leading characteristic or quality you've given your character. Remember, your evidence can be supported by details about the character's appearance, actions, behavior, and speech.


<  >



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Drafting the Sketch

Using your notes, draft a character sketch about the character you've named. Remember:

1)  Use the main quality or characteristic you selected as the focus of the sketch.

2)  The quality can be stated (made explicit) or strongly suggested (implied).

You may want to copy some of your writing from above into your sketch. Then rewrite it.



<  >



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Peer Exchange

Confer with your partner. Discuss the details of appearance, action, behavior, and speech. Do they work as evidence? Do they support the character's leading quality?

You may want to print just your sketch for this purpose.

Scroll up and revise and edit your work.


If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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