Feminism and Self-Respect in Sula

Lesson 7
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ELA

Unit 8

10th Grade

Lesson 7 of 21

Objective


Explain Deborah Tannen’s line of reasoning in “There Is No Unmarked Woman” by identifying relevant claims and clearly explaining connections among them.

Readings and Materials


  • Essay: “There Is No Unmarked Woman” by Deborah Tannen 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Explain Tannen’s line of reasoning by identifying the claims used to build her argument and the connections between them. 

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What lines, words, and phrases reveal Tannen’s central idea about being marked? 

Scaffolding Questions

How does Tannen begin her essay? What is the effect of this stylistic choice?

According to Tannen, what does it mean to be marked? What are the markers on the three women she describes in the beginning of her essay? 

In what other ways are women marked? 

Tannen uses research from a book by Fasold to help her support her central idea. What claim does she make using the research from Fasold? How does it connect to her argument about being marked?

Tannen ends the essay with the following quote: “Sitting at the conference table musing on these matters, I felt sad to think that we women didn’t have the freedom to be unmarked that the men sitting next to us had. Some days you just want to get dressed and go about your business. But if you’re a woman, you can’t, because there is no unmarked woman.” What does she mean by this? What is her attitude towards this realization? 

Discourse Questions

How does Tannen use claims to convey her argument? 

In what ways have characters such as Mattie, Janie, and the unnamed narrator from “Lust” been marked? 

Where have you seen Tannen’s ideas come alive in the short stories and excerpts we have read? 

Homework


Read and annotate Part 1 of Sula, pages 3-85. 

  • Annotation Focus:
    • What are your first impressions of the Bottom? 
    • What are your first impressions of Sula? Does she have self respect?
    • What are your first impressions?

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Standards


  • LO 1.3A — Analyze how literary elements interact to develop the central ideas of a work of literature.
  • LO 2.3A — Assert a precise central claim that establishes the relationship between a work's features and overall meaning.
  • LO 2.3C — Select and incorporate relevant and compelling evidence to support a thesis.
  • W.9-10.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Supporting Standards

LO 1.4B
RI.9-10.1
RI.9-10.3
SL.9-10.1

Next

Formulate and share unique arguments about self-respect and feminism across texts. 

Support arguments with strong and thorough textual evidence in a Summative Socratic Seminar.

Lesson 8
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Lesson Map

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