The Marrow Thieves: Formal Paragraph Assignment

Purpose:
● To demonstrate an ability to analyse character (or theme) in literature
● To demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to, communicate in formal
language
● To demonstrate an understanding of the PEA method of organizing an argument
(in this case, a paragraph)
● To demonstrate an ability to use the writing process

Task: Outline, and then write, a formal paragraph that analyses one aspect of the novel The
Marrow Thieves.

Step #1:
● Look over your “The Visitor” paragraph from earlier this semester.
● Choose one of the thesis statements discussed during class for this paragraph.

Topic Sentences:
❏ In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Miig is an ideal
leader.
❏ In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Frenchie is an
admirable protagonist.
❏ The novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, shows that Elders
are a valuable asset to their communities.
❏ In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Miig’s family
illustrates the traditional and contemporary Indigenous ideas of community
roles.
❏ Another topic of your choice- must be cleared with Ms Woolley before you
begin.

Step #2:
● Outline the paragraph

Topic Sentence
The novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, shows that Elders
are a valuable asset to their communities.

Content
Point Evidence Analysis
(Quotation with page #)

In this book we know that
Minerva is a key part to their
group because she always
shares stories.
“ Don’t put out those candles
yet. Bring the girls in. I
wanna tell yous about the
rougarou tonight.”(p.g66)
When she shares the
rougarou story she is
teaching the girls that it's ok
to be intimidated but no time
for fear. She is also telling
them how to be safe in this
 situation when the guys is
approaching her

We also find about mig and
how he is always leading the
way and knows what to do
and when
“Mig was cautious and slow,
but kept us on a path to
intercept the two figures.”
(p.g117)
In this spot it is showing Mig
leading the group but at the
same time looking out for the
group because he is
proceeding with caution

Mig and minerva are both
key elders to this groups as
we can tell minerva shares
the stories and Mig takes the
guys hunting
(mig) “ we are going our
separate ways. So make
sure keep track of witch
direction you walk.across
twigs on the paths when you
change directions to find you
way back without tipping off
potential predators”(p.g 45)
This is showing that he is the
leader of the group because
he is giving them instructions
and tips to help them have a
better chance of hunting
something.

Step #3
● Write the paragraph

Brendan, Gerber

Mrs, Woolley

ENG-1DI-02

January 14,2022

Formal Paragraph Page 1

The novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, shows that Elders are a

valuable asset to their communities. In this book we know that Minerva is a very key part to

their group. We know this because she is always sharing stories about her life and sharing

her culture with others. “Don’t put out those candles yet. Bring the girls in. I wanna tell yous

about the rougarou tonight.”(Cherie Dimaline 66). When she shares the rougarou story she
is teaching the girls that it is alright to be intimidated but there is no time for fear. She is

Page 2

teaching the kids how to protect themselves and be aware of what is around them.We also

find out about Mig and how he is always leading the way and knows what to do and when.

We know this when this is said “Mig was cautious and slow, but kept us on a path to

intercept the two figures.” (Cherie Dimaline117). In this spot it is showing that Mig is leading

the group but at the same time looking out for the group because he is proceeding with

caution. Mig and Minerva are both key elders in this group as we can tell, Minerva shares

her stories and Mig teaches the guys how to hunt and be leaders as well. (Mig) “We are

going our separate ways. So make sure to keep track of which direction you walk. Cross

twigs on the paths when you change directions to find your way back without tipping off

potential predators.”(Cherie Dimaline 45). This is showing that he is the leader of the group

because he is giving them instructions and tips to help them have a greater chance of

hunting an animal. Overall Minerva and Mig both show many reasons why they are key

elders to this group.

Brendan Gerber

Step #4
● Peer Evaluating, Proofread and revise the paragraph, using the checklist
Formal Paragraph Checklist
Before submitting your paragraph, check to make sure the following have been checked:

Content Yes, No, Comments ✅

Topic sentence clearly states the argument. yes

The three points are stated first in each argument. yes

Each point is supported with a direct quotation from the text, in Yes
quotation marks.

The analysis of each point clearly explains how the quotation yes
proves the argument

Mechanics Yes, No, Comments

Story had been proofread for spelling. yes

Capital letters are used appropriately. Yes

Sentences are complete, not run-on sentences, and end with yes
appropriate punctuation.

Apostrophes are used appropriately. yes

Paragraph is written in present tense. yes

Format Yes, No, Comments

Paragraph is double spaced. yes

First line is indented. yes

Paragraph is one ‘chunk’ (do not start a new line for each Yes
point).

Quotations have citations (author’s last name and page yes , but has a first name
number, in brackets). (Dimaline 2)

Topic sentence and concluding sentence make the same yes

statement (but in different words).

Language is formal. yes

Submission information is in the top, left corner (not in the yes

header)

Page number is in the top, right corner (in the header) yes
Step #5
● Submit the final copy via “Final Project” Tab