Name: __________________________________________________________

Date Received: ________________________________

Period: _______________________________________
Due Date: _____________________________________

tuesdays with

Morrie
an old man, a young man;
and lifes greatest lesson

Tuesdays with Morrie #4

Chapters: ________________________

Date: _____________

Pages: _____

Summary: (What are the two most important things that happen or
the two most important ideas from this chapter?)

Word Study (pick 3)

Word

Definition

Examples/Synonyms

Non-Examples/Antonyms

1.

2.

3.

Word

Root, Suffix, Prefix Study: uniDefinition

3 Other words that

use this prefix

Connect and Respond

1. So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when
theyre busy doing things they think are important. The way you get meaning into your life is
to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and
devote

yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. Do you agree
with this statement? Why or why not? What things could you do in your community that could give
your life meaning? What careers could give peoples lives meaning?
2. Describe or make a timeline of your future, starting with todays date.* What things do you want
to accomplish in the next 5, 10, 15 years? List at least five goals.

*The average life expectancy for men is 76 and 80 for women.

The Writers Craft

I kept picturing him there...counting his breath, squeezing out every moment with his loved
ones, while I spent so many hours on things that meant nothing to me personally: movie
stars, supermodels,...Princess Diana or Madonna or John F. Kennedy.
1.

An allusion is when an author refers to a famous person, place, thing or event. Circle the
allusions in the passage above, then write an original sentence or lyric that uses an allusion
to brag about yourself.

2.

A colon can be used to introduce a list. It says let me show you what I mean after an
independent clause. Write an original sentences that uses a colon to list things you waste
your time on. Use the highlighted passage as a model. B
egin I spent so many hours

Tuesdays with Morrie #5

Chapters: ________________________

Date: _____________

Pages: _____

Summary: (What are the two most important things that happen or
the two most important ideas from this chapter?)

Word Study (pick 3)

Word

Definition

Examples/Synonyms

Non-Examples/Antonyms

1.

2.

3.

Word

Root, Suffix, Prefix Study: re-, flex, comDefinition

3 Other words that

use these prefixes

Connect and Respond

1. Mitch writes, I came back the next Tuesday. And for many Tuesdays that followed. I looked forward
to these visits more than one would think, considering I was flying seven hundred miles to sit
alongside a dying man. Why do you think Mitch keeps coming back? Would you travel 700 miles
each week to visit a dying friend?
2. Mitch makes a list of the important things in life that he wants to discuss with Morrie: death, fear,
aging, greed, marriage, family, society, forgiveness, and a meaningful life. In your opinion, which of
them is the most important? Why? Defend your choice. Why do you think we spend so little time
discussing this issue?

The Writers Craft

Figures of speech (figurative language)-the use of creative, non-literal language such as metaphors,
similes, personification, hyperbole to describe something
Abstract noun-a noun that represents an idea, quality, or state (hate, jealousy, friendship, happiness)
In light of this, my visits to Morrie felt like a cleansing
rinse of human kindness. We talked about life and
we talked about love. We talked about one of
Morries favorite subjects, compassion, and why our
society had such a shortage of it.
1.

The author uses figurative language in this

passage in order to-a. contrast Morries illness with Mitchs
self-centeredness
b. compare Mitchs kindness to Morries
love of learning
c. highlight how Mitchs visits with Morrie
were having a positive, healing effect
on Mitch
d. connect Morries illness with the
violence in society

2. Figurative Language: similes and

metaphors. Underline all of the abstract
nouns in the passage on the left. Then select
two and create a simile or a metaphor for each.

3. Reflect: How do similes and metaphors help

writers express themselves? What would
writing be like without them?

Tuesdays with Morrie #6

Chapters: ________________________

Date: _____________

Pages: _____

Summary: (What are the two most important things that happen or
the two most important ideas from this chapter?)

Word Study (pick 3)

Word

Definition

Examples/Synonyms

Non-Examples/Antonyms

1.

2.

3.

Word

Root, Suffix, Prefix Study: anti-, trans-, dictDefinition

3 Other words that

use this prefix

Connect and Respond: Choose 1

1. Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live. Should people do as the Buddhists do and daily
ask themselves, Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be? How would
people live differently if they reminded themselves daily that they were going to die?
2. Eva would accept nothing less than excellence in school, because she saw education as the only antidote
to their poverty. Is this true today? Is education still the best way out of poverty? If not, how else do people
in America escape poverty?

The Writers Craft

Imagery-the use of visually descriptive language and/or figures of speech
Sensory Imagery-vivid language that appeals to one or more of the five senses

1. Underline all of the examples of imagery in the following passage:

He entered the factory, and immediately felt as if the walls had closed in around him. The room was dark
and hot, the windows covered with filth, and the machines were packed tightly together, churning like train
wheels. The fur hairs were flying, creating a thickened air, and the workers, sewing pelts together, were bent
over their needles as the boss marched up and down the rows, screaming for them to go faster (78).
2. The author uses imagery in this sentence mainly to-a.
emphasize Morries youth and inexperience
b.
contrast Morries warm childhood memories with his fathers job
c.
persuade the reader that factory jobs are unhealthy
d.
highlight the cruelty and oppressiveness of the factory
3. Rewrite the passage, using imagery to describe one of the following places: the gym, the lunchroom, a
classroom, a sporting event, a fast-food restaurant. (Or choose your own setting.)

The Writers Craft Pt. 2

Characterization
Direct
When an author tells you the personality of the characters.
Ex: John was a mean little boy.
Indirect
When the author shows you the personality of the character. You must infer the traits of the character
through their
Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Ac tions, and L
ooks (STEAL)
Ex: John pushed all of the freshmen down the hall, and barked at the teachers. Daily, he would
take students lunch money, and buy himself Doritos.

Morrie

Mitch

Direct Characterization: Page # _______

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Indirect Characterization: Page #_______

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7

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