Page 61 - SpringBoard_ELD_Grade8_Flipbook

ACTIVITY 3.6
continued
Quick conversation
• Share your work with a partner. Take turns explaining the synonyms you chose and your evaluation of how they affected the poem’s mood. Discuss whether your partner agrees or disagrees with your evaluation. Record notes from your discussion.
Do you agree with my evaluation? I agree with your evaluation because .
Write a short argument
After analyzing and evaluating mood in “O Captain! My Captain!” you have enough information to write a short argument. Choose one word or phrase that evokes the poem’s mood. Write a short argument in which you explain the connotation of the word, state your opinion of how effective
it is in communicating the poem’s mood, and give a reason why. Before writing, read the model short argument provided. Notice what information is in each of the sentences. Try structuring your argument in the same way.
In my opinion, this synonym changes the mood by .
I disagree with your analysis because .
Model: Short ArguMent
The speaker uses the verb “weather’d” to describe the ship’s journey. This verb carries a negative connotation because it implies being battered by harsh weather and other forces. This verb helps to emphasize the difficult journey of the ship, which is appropriate for describing the long and difficult Civil War. If the speaker had used the verbs endured or survived, the mood of the poem would be less solemn. The poem’s mood is so mournful because the captain dies at the end of a difficult journey, and he cannot even enjoy the ship’s coming home. The verb “weather’d” helps to create that mournful mood for the reader.
38 SpringBoard® English Language Development grade 8
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.