This I Believe Essay Analysis (+ SUB PLAN)

Before writing their own This I Believe essays (as inspired by NPR), I wanted my students to read some mentor texts. They were allowed to choose any 3 TIB essays they wanted from the website and complete this graphic organizer. (Here's the link to the website for This I Believe at NPR). If you feel like limiting the selection, there is a collection just for students here.

The analysis questions focus on identifying the author's main idea, evaluating the hook (introduction) of the essay, and determining what type of evidence the author uses to make their point. On the backside, there are two charts for them to reference introduction hooks and types of evidence, so I print these double-sided.

This also makes for a great lesson for a substitute, as the only thing required is printing off the graphic organizer (double-sided).