Synthesis: "Borders" by Thomas King & Kristine Jack's Story
Synthesis is one of the components on the provincial exam. The exam specifications are explained below:
Part B: Synthesis of Texts In answering the written-response synthesis question, students should be able to develop a unified and coherent paragraph of 300 words based on two of the sight texts: Informational, Poetry or Literary Prose. Students should be able to support a position, interpretation or response by citing specific details, features and information from the texts. Responses should be constructed with complete and effective sentences, and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. Students will be provided with only one question for response.
Synthesis Question:
Discuss how both the mother in “Borders” by Thomas King, and the Grandmother in Christine Jack’s story about berrypicking both resist the effects of European settlement (colonization). You must refer to both texts in your response.
Suggested Outline:
Paragraph One: (very short)
Sample Intro Sentence: The effects of European settlement are resisted by both the mother in “Borders” by Thomas King and the Grandmother in Christine Jack’s story in a number of ways. They both…..
Paragraph Two: (How European setttlement has affected the mother and how she resisted)
In “Borders” the mother….
Paragraph Three: (How European settlement has affected Christine’s grandmother and how she resisted)
In Christine Jack’s story, her Grandmother…
In conclusion: (Very short summary of actions of mother and grandmother)
Downloadable Version of the Assignment
Chart to organize the "Borders" story
Chart to organize Kristine Jack's story
"Borders" by Thomas King
Notes from Kristine's Story (Original story was told orally to the class)
Part B: Synthesis of Texts In answering the written-response synthesis question, students should be able to develop a unified and coherent paragraph of 300 words based on two of the sight texts: Informational, Poetry or Literary Prose. Students should be able to support a position, interpretation or response by citing specific details, features and information from the texts. Responses should be constructed with complete and effective sentences, and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. Students will be provided with only one question for response.
Synthesis Question:
Discuss how both the mother in “Borders” by Thomas King, and the Grandmother in Christine Jack’s story about berrypicking both resist the effects of European settlement (colonization). You must refer to both texts in your response.
Suggested Outline:
Paragraph One: (very short)
Sample Intro Sentence: The effects of European settlement are resisted by both the mother in “Borders” by Thomas King and the Grandmother in Christine Jack’s story in a number of ways. They both…..
Paragraph Two: (How European setttlement has affected the mother and how she resisted)
In “Borders” the mother….
Paragraph Three: (How European settlement has affected Christine’s grandmother and how she resisted)
In Christine Jack’s story, her Grandmother…
In conclusion: (Very short summary of actions of mother and grandmother)
Downloadable Version of the Assignment
Chart to organize the "Borders" story
Chart to organize Kristine Jack's story
"Borders" by Thomas King
Notes from Kristine's Story (Original story was told orally to the class)