Warriors Don’t Cry
By
Melba Patillo Beals
Throughout the story, several themes prevail as Melba evolves into a warrior for desegregation of schools in the South during the 1950s. Select a topic from the following:
Ø Courage in the face of adversity requires personal action and resolve.
Ø Ordinary people become warriors when they choose to take risks and act on their beliefs.
Ø Freedom is tied to personal beliefs and bound by societal norms.
Ø The responsibilities of freedom demand individual action.
Ø A fair and just society requires an individual understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of diversity.
The topic selected will become your thesis, your essay’s controlling idea. The thesis will be developed into a multi-paragraph essay supported by several examples from the story. Using MLA format, cite incidents from the story and use direct quotations to support your ideas. As you work through the writing process, you will submit the following:
Ø Outline
Ø Typed Draft for Editing
Ø Revised Final Draft
Ø Turnitin.com receipt
Due Dates:
Outline: Wednesday, March 12
Typed first draft: Thursday, March 20
Final draft: Tuesday, April 1
Directions: Create an outline for your literary analysis essay following these procedures. (Hopefully you have already written the thesis statement and have gathered evidence from the novel to support your thesis.)
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter
B. Introduction and brief explanation of the novel
C. Thesis Statement
II. Body paragraph one. Topic sentence (choose one character to use as an example):
A. Assertion—Introduce one incident in which the character shows the trait you are discussing
1. Quote(page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
B. Assertion—Introduce another incident in which the character shows this trait
1. Quote (page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
C. Assertion—Introduce a final incident in which the characters shows this trait
1. Quote (page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
III. Body paragraph two. Topic sentence (choose another character to use as an example):
A. Assertion—Introduce one incident in which the character shows the trait you are discussing
1. Quote(page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
B. Assertion—Introduce another incident in which the character shows this trait
1. Quote (page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
C. Assertion—Introduce a final incident in which the characters shows this trait
1. Quote (page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
IV. Body paragraph Three. Topic sentence (choose a final character to use as an example):
A. Assertion—Introduce one incident in which the character shows the trait you are discussing
1. Quote(page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
B. Assertion—Introduce another incident in which the character shows this trait
1.Quote (page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
C. Assertion—Introduce a final incident in which the characters shows this trait
1. Quote (page)
2. Explain the quote and how it proves your point
V. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis:
B. Tie to introduction/attention getter: (any further thoughts, connection to modern times)
C. Clincher: (tie back to thesis)
Look at the sample outline below if you are unsure of what to do. Bring in a floppy disk or flash drive so you can work on this at home.
Example Outline for Warriors Don’t Cry Essay
I. Introduction
A. Attention getter: Violent mobs, telephone threats, fireballs, high powered rifles, dynamite, and blackmail are not part of the normal life of high school students. Unfortunately, this is the reality of high school for the Little Rock Nine. After the Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. Board of Education, made segregation in all public schools illegal, nine African American high school students were chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.
B. Introduction and brief explanation of the novel: One of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Pattillo Beals, wrote a moving novel about her personal experience integrating Central High School called Warriors Don’t Cry. In this novel, she describes the torment she experienced and the courage she possessed in order to gain the freedom and equality she deserved. In addition to her own experiences, she also describes what other people endured like members of her family and friends.
C. Thesis Statement: The characters in this novel demonstrate how courage in the face of adversity requires personal action and resolve.
II. Body #1 Mother Lois shows how courage in the face of adversity requires personal action and resolve
A. Stands up to superintendent
1. Paraphrase example from novel (pg)
2. Shows…
ETC…
III. Body #2: The other Little Rock Nine show courage in the face of adversity requires personal action and resolve
A. Elizabeth Eckford
1. Incident - first day trying to enter school alone (pg)
2. Courageous because…
ETC.
a. Taunting she endures at
1. lit toilet paper thrown at her (pg)
2.Shows courage because…
ETC.
III. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis: Melba, her family, and her friends show how courage in the face of adversity requires personal action and resolve.
B. Tie to introduction/attention getter – any further thoughts, connection to modern times: As a result of personal action and resolve, integration finally occurs in Little Rock after a number of years due to the courage of the individuals in Melba’s novel. Though integration did not occur immediately and the fight continues to this day, the strife of the Little Rock Nine was not in vein. Discrimination and prejudice are no longer as predominant in society and more equal opportunities are open to minorities.
C. Clincher: This story should serve as inspiration to those who are currently fighting for equality because they will see that their courage through personal action and resolve can win the battle and enable people to see that we are not separate, and that we are all united.