Speculation About Effects Essay

Objective

Speculation about effects writing allows you to consider what reasonably could happen next in the story. What will life in America be like for Rifka? Will she become a poet? Will she enter the medical field? Will her hair grow completely out? Will her hair make a difference in whether or not she marries?

Writing Situation

At the end of the story Rifka has left Ellis Island to go home with her family. Think about what you know about Rifka. What will happen to her next?

Writing Directions

Speculate about Rifka's future. Convince other students who will read your paper what Rifka's life in America will be like. Use her resiliency factors as evidence to support your prediction of her future. State reasons why you think Rifka's life will be as you see it. Refer back to her letters to support your reasons. You may include conversation and/or a scene from her new life in America.

Procedure:

  1. Brainstorm what life in America might be like for Rifka (i.e. hard, full or continued adversity and problems; or easy, with success in schooling and life; or some mixture of both.) Optional Student Handout
  2. Have students individually select one possible circumstance they want to develop into an essay. Ask students to quickwrite to explain why they selected this circumstance.
  3. Have students identify evidence in the story which supports their prediction. Ask students to reexamine Rifka's letters and their journal responsives for possible support for student conclusions.
  4. Brainstorm how Rifka's resiliency factors will help her face life in America.
  5. Discuss with students how they might begin and end their essay.
  6. Have students write a complete first draft based on the writing directions.
  7. Schedule time for peer review and response.
  8. Encourage students to revise their initial draft to include suggestions provided by peers.
  9. Have students edit each others essays and write a complete final draft.

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