Question

PLEASE TELL ME IF MY ANSWER IS REASONABLE
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?

Dear Editor,

I have never taken the time to write a letter to the editor, but something happened that lit a fire in me. Last week, as my best friend Areliss and I headed to class, a group of college protesters blocked our path. Their signs read "GO HOME" and "ILLEGALS LEAVE." They shouted, "Send them home!" These protesters couldn't have known what Areliss felt as they shouted and waved pamphlets in our faces like tattered flags. But, I know their words were bullets to Areliss's heart. I wanted to fire back to the protestors: Where are your ancestors from?

Areliss came to the United States illegally, but she didn't do it intentionally. She was a baby. Her parents, seeking a better life, failed to follow the established immigration procedure, and they slipped into our country undetected. Once here, they raised Areliss, who would grow up never knowing any other home but America.

Under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Areliss has been granted the temporary opportunity to remain here while she completes her college education. DACA ensures, at least for a while, that she will not be deported to a country she has never visited in her entire life.

The term "DREAMers" refers to an act that would have protected these immigrant children if they attended college or served in the military. The DREAM Act did not pass, but its name has remained. DACA recipients have a dream: they dream that their lifelong contribution to the United States will one day be recognized, and they will be permitted to stay in the country they have always called home.

Now, DACA is ending. Those who oppose DACA say it encourages illegal activity, weakens our borders, and goes against the Constitution. I understand their concerns. In an era of heightened security, we must do our utmost to keep this great nation safe. That includes establishing a healthy monitoring system for immigration.

But, those who oppose DACA, who wield protest signs and who want to build walls, have never felt the dreaded doom of deportation. They forget that our long and colorful history has been built by many immigrants—including the immigrants who fought for and founded our country. They forget that Lady Liberty stands as a beacon, asking for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. We have a responsibility to them.

To send DREAMers away is to deny that responsibility. Programs like DACA exist to keep the American dream alive.

Yes, Areliss is a DREAMer. But I, too, have a dream. My dream is that DACA will be reinstated. My dream is that Areliss will be invited to stay in the country she has known as home since she was a baby and live out her dreams in the country she loves.

Sincerely,

Brittany Taylor


MY ANSWER:
The writer uses structure and language to persuade her readers and support her feelings about immigration by sharing a personal story. She describes how her friend had no other place to live and how DACA saved her. She doesn't want other people to go through what her friend did and that's what she is trying to express to her readers.

Please add an explanation to your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

I would say that you are almost there! I just have a couple tweaks.

Explanation:

(I take this class and there is even a video walking you through the whole thing, little tricky to find though)

So fist of all, a claim or thesis should remain about one sentence long instead of a paragraph. Two maximum.

Next, you are almost restating the question as if it were an answer. Instead you want to actually answer it. (I know that sounds confusing, I'll give an example)

Lastly, you are asked how the writer structures her text and uses figurative language to share her feelings on immigration.

I would recommend using one of the following examples of figurative language: idiom, simile, metaphor, allusion, or imagery. All can be found in the text and choose one or two. Next you should specify what kind of structure the author uses or how.

I would recomend you choose one of the following: reverse structure (the author states the most important poins last and builds up the suspense, her thesis is also in her conclusion instead of her introduction), descriptive structure (as in it's name it is very descriptive, paints a thorough picture in the readers mind, and often uses figurative language), or sequencial structure (stated in order, usually chronologically or in order of importance but not always)

I would recommend using the guided thesis template below:

Ms. Taylor uses (some type of structure) and (some type of figurative language) to help readers see (what is is she feels about DACA)

Example:

Ms. Taylor uses discriptive structure along with metaphors and imagery to show readers her feelings about how important it is that DACA is reinstated.

The information you provided was outstading and showed that you had a real grasp on what the author was saying you just needed help with you thesis is all. Excellent job! Good luck, and I hope I've helped! Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.