Estimados Estudiantes

Soon after we return from Spring Break, I will ask you to nominate/propose a Most Valuable Part (MVP) of Motorcycle on the Sea of Tranquility. 

Jay's Tip: Are you looking for MOTIVATION to put YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD in the class? – This may be IT!

Make your argument!   That is, choose a part of the novel that you believe is most critical to the story. I will expect you to utilize the same skills and strategies that we have covered over the course of the semester.

Choose the scene, the idea, the character, the conversation you feel is most important to the book – It could be GOOD.  Or, it could be BAD – There is no RIGHT answer.  There is no WRONG answer.  You will be graded on your paragraph development.  Your success will depend on your ability to EXPLAIN the importance of the scene.   What makes it so VALUABLE to the story?

Here are some examples off the top of my head for MVP:

1. Chuy’s PTSD– I could define it. I could explain his behavior.  I could select examples from the chapters that show his change.   Do you remember the scene when the word "wetback" came out of Chuy's mouth?  Right there, I knew he was a sick man.  I will write HOW and WHY.
2. "We are all half-breeds, pendeja," (101) – If I chose this quote, I could explain WHO said this and WHY.  I mean WHERE were they?  WHAT was the argument about?  Did someome mention the word "COCONUT"?
3. Papa Sahagun’s “old-school” attitude– I mean his behavior affected everybody in the book. I would expain how the brothahs were treated so much differently than the sistahs in this family.  What was that about?
4. “The Look”(164) – this happens to be a personal favorite. I think this scene is great because we see a side of Yoli we have never seen before.  It marks a change in her character.  Instead of being a follower, she seems like a go-getter.
5. The Howl (145) – here if I was going to write about “The Howl,” I could explain Chuy’s inner rage. Yoli was howling right with him.  What does that say about her?
6. "We're a family of Mad Poets"(57) -  This quote made me think of the whole family.  I would start with the father.  I would mention the mother.  There is Chuy, of course.  What is going on here?  What does Yoli think about it?  Is there anything "good" to being a "mad poet"?

Students from my past classes seem to have enjoyed the challenge – They liked the novel – They felt good about their analyses.

• Below I share some MVP excerpts from their class blogs (I've removed student names in respect for student privacy).
• REMEMBER:  YOU choose your MVP – You decide how to defend your vote – There is no RIGHT or WRONG answer – There are always TWO sides to an ARGUMENT.
• This is what is SO COOL!: There never seems to be a clear-cut choice.  Responses are DIVERSE.  All writing is VALUABLE.
• Tomorrow I just may share MINE!

Jay's Final Tip:

• Don't Lose Sight of your  MOTIVATION over Spring Break

• MOTIVATION  is what pushes us to achieve our goals, feel more fulfilled and improved our overall quality of life.

• SELF MOTIVATION  is the force that drives you to do things. Self-motivation drives people to keep going even in the face of set-backs, to take up opportunities, and to show commitment to what they want to achieve.

• Your completion of the novel will set yourself up for success at the next level.
• Your use of Critical Thining Skills will transfer to everything you do. 
• THINK POSITIVE – BE POSITIVE – REMEMBER – YOU GOT THIS!

This is going to be GREAT.  You will SEE.

Any questions or concerns.  You can contact me here: jay.lewenstein@imperial.edu

Paz,

JL