Writing Project #1: Inference Essay: TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Writing Project #1: Inference Essay: TIPS FOR SUCCESS
� check that you have all required sections of WP 1 essay
introduction section (hook + title/author + thesis)
6 body sections plot summary (main points + support)
setting analysis (main points + support + insight)
character analysis (main points + support + insight)
conflict analysis (main points + support + insight)
theme analysis (main points + support + insight)
critique (main points + support + insight)
conclusion section (repeated thesis + insight + advice)
� check that you have all required features of introduction section:
hook
Children's books are special ways of teaching children moral values in a calm and unforced way. Giving them the right books is as
vital as giving them the right food to eat. These books present exciting stories and life-related information reinforced with lively colored
thesis title author
pictures that make learning fun and easy. One book all children should read is The Little Train that Could, by P. Watty.
COMMON ERRORS
no hook
There are lots of children's books. I recommend The Little Train That Could, by P. Watty.
no title/author, no thesis
Children's books are special ways of teaching children moral values in a calm and unforced way. These books present exciting stories
and life-related information reinforced with lively colored pictures that make learning fun and easy. Giving children the right books is as
vital as giving them the right food to eat.
no thesis
I remember in elementary school going with my class to the library once a month. The librarian loved to read to us. We would sit on
the floor and she would sit on a little chair and read aloud to us, stopping often to show the pictures. She changed her voice according to
the characters in the book, making the story fun to hear. One book she read at the start of every year was The Little Train That Could, by
P. Watty.
� check your plot summary is paraphrased (NO quotes) and complete (has transitional words)
The plot of The Little Train That Could begins when a train full of toys for children breaks down in the mountains. The toys try to fix
the train, but they can't. They are upset. When a big engine comes along, the toys ask it to help them. It says no because it only carries
people. It scowls at them and leaves. Soon another big engine shows up, and it is asked to help. It also says no because it only carries
important things. The toys are sad. A short time later, a small engine comes a long, a little blue train. Again the toys ask for help. The little
engine says it has never pulled anything that big, and it doesn't know if it can. After getting encouragement from the toys, the little engine
says it thinks it can and repeats the phrase as it starts to pull the toys over the mountain. It succeeds and everyone is happy at the end.
COMMON ERRORS
no time transitional words / not enough information
The plot of The Little Train That Could is a train full of toys for children that has broken down in the mountains. A big engine comes
along. It won't help. Another big engine arrives. It won't help either. A little blue train appears. The engine repeats it thinks it can over and
over. It succeeds.
not paraphrased
The plot of The Little Train That Could begins when a train full of toys for children breaks down in the mountains. The toys try to fix
the train, but they can't. When a big engine comes along, the toys plead, “Please help us.” It says, “ME help YOU. I only carry
important things.” It scowls at them and leaves. Soon another big engine shows up. The toys cry, “Please help us.” It says, “ I only
carry only important people, not the likes of you.” The toys ask, “What will we do?” Then a small engine comes a long, a little blue
train. Again the toys ask, “Please help us.” The little engine says, “I’ve never pulled anything like a train.” But then says, “I
think I can, I think I can, I think I can” over and over. It succeeds and everyone is happy at the end.
distracting minor detail
The plot of The Little Train That Could begins when a train full of toys for children breaks down in the mountains. They include dolls
with long hair, clowns with funny faces, and stuffed animals. The toys try to fix the train by looking underneath and in the engine
and throughout the cars, but they can't. They are upset. One toy looks sadder than the others. When a big engine with blue
stripes, a big smoke stack, and shiny wheels comes along, the toys ask it to help them. It says no because it only carries people.
Soon another big engine shows up. It is grey with dirty windows and cars. It is asked to help by a toy with yellow hair wearing a
blue apron. It also says no because it only carries important things. Then a small engine comes a long, a little blue train. Again the toys
ask for help. The little engine says it has never pulled anything that big, and it doesn't know if it can. The toys exchange looks and
discuss the matter then encourage it to try. After hesitating for several minutes, the little engine says it thinks it can and repeats the
phrase over and over as it starts to pull the toys over the mountain. It succeeds and everyone is happy at the end.

� check setting section is complete
inference text support
The setting takes place in the mountains. There are pictures of hills and mountain tops, and several characters refer to "getting over
explanation of "universal"
the mountains." The location could be any mountains anywhere, and no particular time is mentioned or signaled. This kind of
"universal" setting is used by authors so that the themes make sense to all children throughout time.
COMMON ERRORS
no text support
The setting takes place in the mountains. It's a "universal" setting so the themes make sense to children anywhere.
no mention/explanation of “universal”
The setting takes place in the mountains. There are pictures of hills and mountain tops, and several characters refer to "getting over
the mountains.”
� check character section is complete
transitional sentence text support
There are three main characters. The toys from the broken train can't get over the mountain and they don't know what to do. They
character 1 inference
say, "please help us..." several times in the story. They together represent helplessness or victims, people who can’t fix their problems or
insight text support
improve a bad situation without help. Any child will relate to needing help so will recognize this quality. The two big engines that came
character 2 inference more text support
along wouldn't help the toys. They are used to portray rudeness. One of these trains says, "ME help the likes of YOU? I carry only
important people." The arrogance clearly shows in the author’s emphasis on certain words. The last character is the little blue train. The
text support character 3 inference
pictures of its face show doubt. It says that because it has never pulled a train before, it doesn't think it can. It represents insecurity.
COMMON ERRORS
no/weak text support for inference
There are three main characters. The toys together represent helplessness or victims. Any child will relate to needing help so will
recognize this quality. The two big engines that came along wouldn't help the toys. They are used to portray rudeness. The last character
is the little blue train. It represents feeling too small or insecure.
unsupportable/unclear inference
The two engines that came along are used to portray authority. They won’t help the toys.
� check conflict section is complete
transitional sentence/inference text support
The conflict of this story is insecurity, especially when faced with a difficult task. This conflict is seen when the little blue train is asked to
help the toys by pulling them over the mountain. It looks worried in the pictures and says it’s never done anything like that before. Most
insight
children, and adults, get into this situation. They want to do something challenging but feel unsure.
COMMON ERRORS
weak support
The conflict of this story is dealing with a difficult task. The little blue train has never done anything as hard as that. All children feel
unsure and afraid at times when trying to do things.
plot detail (no inference)
The conflict of this story is trains breaking down in the mountains and the passengers being stranded. This happens a lot.
� check theme section is complete
transitional sentence inference-theme 1
There are four themes in this story. Children learn not to expect everyone to offer help. In fact, the story shows that people can be
text support insight
mean for no reason. Both of the two big engines are rude and leave without helping or offering to get help. Children tend to believe that
inference- theme 2
strangers will be nice. Unfortunately today, we know this isn't true, so this lesson is very important. But conversely, the story teaches that
text support
we do need help from others. The toys couldn't fix their problem on their own. They ask for help throughout the story. And the little engine
insight
needed encouragement from the toys to overcome its doubt. Though we like to think we can do things alone, in reality other people help
inference- theme 3
us all the time, whether directly with physical action or indirectly with support. The most recognized theme of The Little Train is to take
text support
risks even if unsure of your ability. This simple message will be clear to children from the pictures and words of the little engine. After
inference- theme 4
looking worried and saying, "I've never done this before," it starts to try to help. My favorite theme is one often missed: when facing a big
text support
problem, be positive. Near the end of the story, the little train repeats the phrase "I think I can,” words that clearly foster a good attitude. If
insight
you approach a task with positive feelings, you are more likely to succeed.

COMMON ERRORS
no text support
There are three themes in this story. Children, who usually think strangers will be nice, learn not to expect everyone one to offer
help. The most recognized theme of The Little Train That Could is to take risks. Another theme is that when faced with a difficult task, be
positive. My experiences in such situations are that attitude matters most. Children and adults frequently approach a task with negative
feelings and these can prevent success.
incomplete
The theme in this story is to try difficult things. The little engine shows this theme.
� check critique section is complete (all elements are evaluated and opinions are supported):
This story is well crafted, and it has colorful, expressive pictures. It uses easy words so children will understand the ideas. The plot
is simple to follow and the setting is easy to recognize. All children know about mountains, trains, and things breaking down. The
characters will be clear to children because the pictures of them and their words show their feelings. The two big trains look mean and
say rude things. The little train looks worried and expresses doubt. What I would change is to add more description and dialog about how
insecure the little train felt. For example, if one of the toys expressed how worried it felt about new challenges, children would get a
stronger message that others often feel uncertain.
The conflict is relevant. Most people relate to feeling insecure and being the "little kid on the block." The themes are important.
Children may be surprised that the two big trains won't help. If so, parents can teach this lesson on the spot. And having a positive
attitude is applicable to any age. It's great to read a story that talks about fear. Our society says "don't be a baby, grow up" too often.
Children and adults need to know feeling insecure and needing help is common.
COMMON ERRORS
no/unclear text support for opinions / flaws not explained
This story is well written. The plot, setting, conflict, and characters are good. It uses few words so children will understand. All
children will relate to feeling unsure and being the "little kid on the block." It does have a couple of flaws and things I would change
� check conclusion section is complete
repeated thesis
The Little Train That Could is a good children's book because of its valuable themes. And I like the story because of how simple it is
insights
while teaching serious lessons. I often felt afraid to do physical things because I was the smallest kid. I should have read this story again
in grade school. I now realize most children's books offer practical, helpful lessons, and, even those that don't are valuable teaching
advice
tools. Older children should read and discuss these stories to relearn the important lessons or have fun updating their favorite books.
COMMON ERRORS
not much insight / no advice
All in all, The Little Train That Could is a good children's book. I particularly like how simple it is while teaching adult lessons. Telling
children to believe in themselves is great for any age.