Organize and Develop Your Ideas Worksheet

Writing Prompt:​ Read the letter to the editor “I, Too, Have a Dream.” How does the writer
use structure and language to persuade her readers and support her feelings about
immigration? Write an essay using evidence from the letter to answer the question.

Thesis Statement:​ In "I, Too, Have a Dream," Brittany Taylor orders her ideas strategically
and uses personification and allusions in a way that evokes emotion from the audience.

Part 1 – Organizing Your Ideas

Directions: Write a topic sentence for each body paragraph. (One body paragraph should
focus on the author’s use of structure and one body paragraph should focus on the author’s
use of language.) Use a mixture of paraphrased examples and direct quotations for your
evidence. Write your examples and explanations in complete sentences.

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence: Brittany Taylor orders her ideas strategically in a way that shows her
knowledge and understanding of the topic.

Example from text to support topic sentence:

Brittany begins her letter with an example of a protest she witnessed firsthand.
During this, she was in the company of her friend who came to the US illegally when
she was just a child. Protesters held signs reading, “Go Home,” and, “Illegals
Leave,” and shouted similar phrases. Brittany felt sympathy for her friend for she
knew that these words hurt her. She had lived in the US her entire life, and being
told to leave must have upset her.
Explanation of how the example serves purpose:

This example shows Brittany’s understanding and sympathy for people like her
friend. It persuades the audience to feel sympathy as well because it gives the
perspective of an immigrant witnessing people protest her very being there.

Example from text to support topic sentence:

Another example is when Brittany introduces the DACA (Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals) and provides a counterargument for those who oppose it. The
DACA allows immigrants to stay in the US until they complete their college
education. Brittany’s friend was given this opportunity under the DACA. To those
who oppose the DACA, she says that they have never had to face the fear of
deportation and that they forget how immigrants have contributed to the country.

Explanation of how the example serves purpose:

This example shows her knowledge of the DACA and illegal immigration. Not only
does she provide information about each, she also develops a counterargument to
contradict those who disagree.
Body Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence: Brittany Taylor uses figurative language like allusions and personification
in a way that evokes emotion from the audience.

Example from text to support topic sentence:

An example of figurative language in Brittany’s letter is allusions. She uses one in

her title of the letter, “I, Too, Have a Dream,” referring to Martin Luther King’s famous
“I Have a Dream” speech. In his speech, Dr. King talks about how he dreams that
one day people in the US will be able to see each other as equals. Brittany uses his
same idea and hopes that one day illegal immigrants will have a chance of living a
peaceful life in their new country.

Explanation of how the example serves purpose:

This example serves purpose because she draws similarities between African
American people during the Civil Right Movement and illegal immigrants. She hopes
that by doing this, her audience will be able to recognize why she believes
discriminating against illegal immigrants is wrong.

Example from text to support topic sentence:

Another example of figurative language is personification. She says, “They forget

that Lady Liberty stands as a beacon, asking for the tired, the poor, and the huddled
masses yearning to breathe free,” when talking about people who oppose the DACA.
While the Statue of Liberty does not literally ask for the tired and poor, it stands as
an American symbol. The broken shackles at her feet symbolize freedom from
oppression, and she herself represents hope. If this statue stands for American
beliefs, then Brittany believes that these beliefs should apply to all who call the US
their home.
 Explanation of how the example serves purpose:

This example serves the purpose of pointing out what she believes to be flaws in the
valued beliefs of the US. In the Land of the Free where all men are created equal,
Brittany sees prejudice. She believes that if phrases from the Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence state that all are equal, then all are equal.

Part 2 – Developing Body Paragraphs

Directions: Use your planning in Part 1 to write your two body paragraphs. Use complete
sentences, proper grammar and punctuation, and transitions to develop your body
paragraphs. Each body paragraph should have a transition at the beginning of the topic
sentence and at least two within each paragraph.

To start, Brittany Taylor uses figurative language like allusions and personification in a way
that evokes emotion from the audience. Brittany begins her letter with an example of a protest
she witnessed firsthand. During this, she was in the company of her friend who came to the US
illegally when she was just a child. Protesters held signs reading, “Go Home,” and, “Illegals
Leave,” and shouted similar phrases. Brittany felt sympathy for her friend for she knew that
these words hurt her. She had lived in the US her entire life, and being told to leave must have
upset her. ​Including this in her letter shows her understanding and sympathy for people like
her friend. It persuades the audience to feel sympathy as well because it gives the
perspective of an immigrant witnessing people protest her very being there. Furthermore,
Brittany also introduces the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and provides a
counterargument for those who oppose it. The DACA allows immigrants to stay in the US
until they complete their college education. Brittany’s friend was given this opportunity
under the DACA. To those who oppose the DACA, she says that they have never had to
face the fear of deportation and that they forget how immigrants have contributed to the
country. This example shows her knowledge of the DACA and illegal immigration. Not only
does she provide information about each, she also develops a counterargument to
contradict those who disagree.
 As well as strategic structure, Brittany Taylor uses figurative language like allusions and
personification in a way that evokes emotion from the audience. An example of figurative
language in Brittany’s letter is allusions. She uses one in her title of the letter, “I, Too, Have
a Dream,” referring to Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In his
speech, Dr. King talks about how he dreams that one day people in the US will be able to
see each other as equals. Brittany uses his same idea and hopes that one day illegal
immigrants will have a chance of living a peaceful life in their new country. This example
serves purpose because she draws similarities between African American people during the
Civil Right Movement and illegal immigrants. She hopes that by doing this, her audience
will be able to recognize why she believes discriminating against illegal immigrants is
wrong. Also, there is one instance where she uses personification to make a strong point.
She says, “They forget that Lady Liberty stands as a beacon, asking for the tired, the poor,
and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” when talking about people who oppose
the DACA. While the Statue of Liberty does not literally ask for the tired and poor, it stands
as an American symbol. The broken shackles at her feet symbolize freedom from
oppression, and she herself represents hope. If this statue stands for American beliefs,
then Brittany states that these beliefs should apply to all who call the US their home. This
example serves the purpose of pointing out what she believes to be flaws in the valued
beliefs of the US. In the Land of the Free where all men are created equal, Brittany sees
prejudice. She believes that if phrases from the Constitution and the Declaration of
Independence state that all are equal, then all are equal.