Part 1: Organize Your Thoughts
From Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Address on the Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty” From Our Immigrants at Ellis Island
by Mrs. Francis E. Clark
Central Idea
Remember to TIE it together. Identify the topic, think about the information provided, and explain this in one sentence. Many immigrants came to America in search of a better life, doing so, they contributed to the growth of this country. After the father left for America to find a job, the rest of the family prepared for their journey from Naples, Italy to America, while he (the father) saved money to eventually bring them over.
Diction
Was the word choice positive or negative? Did the connotations change throughout?
Positive
Positive
Example(s) from passage:
How well their hopes were justified is proved by the record of what they achieved. They not only found freedom in the New World, but by their effort and devotion they made the New World's freedom safer, richer, more far-reaching, more capable of growth. Example(s) from passage:
Our home was in Naples in the South of Italy. It is so beautiful there! And the sun shines all day long and every day, and we often sing our dear song, "La bella Napoli." We loved our dear sunny Italy so much!
Tone
How would you sum up the author’s tone in one word? Hopeful? Disappointed?
Respectful/Admiration
Hope/Excitement/Reminiscing
Example(s) from passage:
I like to think of the men and women who, with the break of dawn off Sandy Hook, have strained their eyes to the west for a first glimpse of the New World.
They came to us—most of them—in steerage. But they, in their humble quarters, saw things in these strange horizons which were denied to the eyes of those few who traveled in greater luxury. Example(s) from passage:
At last, in a letter came money to buy the ticket for all of us, mother and grandmother and all the children. Mother think it much work to get us all ready, but we all helped; and, after all, there was not much to get ready, for we not own many things; and so at last we all were packed up, and every one had something to carry except baby
Syntax
What types of sentences are used? Are they long or short? Is punctuation unique?
Long/Complex sentences
Simple sentence structure/informal
Example(s) from passage:
They adopted this homeland because in this land they found a home in which the things they most desired could be theirs—freedom of opportunity, freedom of thought, freedom to worship God. Example(s) from passage:
"Mother think it much work to get us all ready, but we all helped."
"Even Theresa carried the birdcage, though she is only two."
Perspective
In one sentence, explain the author’s attitude toward the topic. The author respects and admires the immigrants for their bravery and courage starting a new life. The author talks about her family’s love for their home in Italy, but their excitement/eagerness, and her attitude toward this can be described as hopeful/nostalgic.