Questions for Popular Mechanics

Assignment: Write a three to five paragraph essay about “Popular Mechanics” giving your interpretation of the story. Answer such questions as:

1. Why is the man leaving?
2. Why is the woman “glad” that he is leaving?
3. When did the man decide to take the baby with him?
4. What happened to the baby?

Work with partners to add possible questions for responses.










Tasks:
• Work with a partner, or in a group of three if necessary.
• Study the description of the writing task, and brainstorm your final paper in three steps:
1. Discuss possible questions to address in your papers;
2. Take note of evidence in the story that will support your arguments; and,
3. Practice free-writing responses to each question, then sharing your writing with your partners before you type a draft.
• After finishing your brainstorming, write a more explicit ending for the story, in which you substitute 10 to 20 lines of dialog and description for the final line, “In this manner, the issue was decided.”

When you write a final draft, be sure to check your work for spelling and grammar errors.

Note on the structure and logic of English essays:

English paragraphs and English essays usually follow a standard three-part pattern: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction generally introduces the thesis statement or argument, the body provides the evidence or details that support the thesis or main idea, and the conclusion summarizes and confirms the writer’s opinion on the topic at hand. Make sure that your thesis statement makes a claim that can be debated or discussed on the basis of evidence in the text. When you must speculate (or guess) about a character’s feelings or behavior, acknowledge the strengths of interpretations differing from yours. But argue your case as best you can