In class essay: The Inferno John Ciardi's translation
Geryon, illustrated by Gustave Dore

Objectives:
We will scrutinize the passage together as a large group. Then, small groups will use the essay planning guide to pre-write and plan before writing a collaborative essay. Groups will then exchange essays for peer review, using the AP rubric and scorecard. In the end, we will come back to evaluate the process.

Prompt:
In Canto XXIV, Dante's allegory continues and he reinforces the idea that the struggle towards salvation is constant. Identify the prominent tone in the passage (pages 206-207), explain how the tone is created, and explain how the tone helps in Dante's purpose: to illustrate the difficulty of man's spiritual life.

What we are looking for:

• the prominent tone
• how the tone is created: images, diction, figurative language, etc.
• how the tone reinforces the idea that the struggle towards salvation is a constant, difficult struggle
   

Essay Planning Guide

AP Rubric

AP Scorecard

Evaluate the process: Answer the following questions:

1. What have we learned about close reading?
2. What should writers keep in mind when formulating a thesis?
3. What steps should writers use when developing the thesis?

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