| FINISH |
| 165 MIN |
| Pencils Down - Session 1 End |
| 160 MIN |
| Final Verification - All Writing Complete |
| FINISH | 165 MIN | Pencils Down - Session 2 End |
"The phrase 'today I am a poem' reveals María’s transition from a girl wearing a 'conspiracy' of mismatched clothes to a young woman with a profound sense of self-worth. It shows she has moved past the fear of being seen as a 'joke' and instead feels 'elegant.' By walking with her 'head held high,' she embraces her identity as something lyrical and meaningful—a living tribute to the people (Mami, Papi, Abuela) whose items she wears."
"The third-person limited POV reveals Evan’s deep-seated insecurity and his habit of 'labeling people' as a defense mechanism. For example, he 'envies... their ease with themselves' when watching the boys in black, showing he lacks that same confidence. Furthermore, his inner reaction to Shane’s scars—feeling a 'deep sense of shame' that his own body 'revealed so little history'—uncovers his fear that he is boring or 'unfascinating,' just like the characters he claims to hate in books."
Prompt: Compare how María and Evan are affected by conversations with family members. Explain how their reactions are different using details from both stories.
Family conversations often serve as mirrors that reflect a character’s true identity, but those reflections can either empower or diminish them. In Judith Ortiz Cofer's 'Call Me María' and James Howe's 'The Watcher,' both María and Evan face pivotal conversations with family that force them to confront who they are. While María’s grandmother provides a foundation of cultural pride that helps her find confidence, Evan’s parents use labels that deepen his sense of isolation and self-doubt.
María is profoundly affected by her Abuela's supportive and insightful words. When María reveals her mismatched outfit, Abuela does not judge her for being 'extreme.' Instead, she says, 'I know who you are and who you may be if you choose.' This affirmation gives María the permission to be herself. Furthermore, by letting María borrow her mother’s 'prized' shawl, Abuela gives María a physical piece of her heritage to wear. As a result, María goes to school feeling 'elegant' and 'head held high.' Her family’s words act as a catalyst for her to see herself as a 'poem' rather than a 'joke,' illustrating a positive and strengthening effect.
Evan, on the other hand, is negatively affected by his parents’ analytical and pressuring words. His father insists he read 'The Catcher in the Rye,' telling him the book is 'touching something deep inside' him. This comparison to Holden Caulfield, a character Evan 'hated,' feels like an unwanted label that implies Evan is just as cynical or difficult. Additionally, his mother’s repeated bugging about 'making some friends' reinforces his feeling of being a social 'snob.' These conversations do not offer Evan a path to confidence; instead, they make him feel exposed and ashamed. When he speaks to Shane, he is so worried about his mother 'paying attention' that his cheeks grow hot, showing he feels burdened by family expectations rather than supported by them.
The reactions of these two characters highlight their different paths. María reacts to her grandmother’s words with outward expression and grace, choosing to ignore those who 'make fun' of her. Evan reacts with internal shame and further withdrawal. While María uses the 'starry sky' of her grandmother's shawl to find her way, Evan remains lost in his own 'history'—or lack thereof—feeling that his body revealed too little compared to others. Ultimately, María’s family conversation leads to self-actualization, while Evan’s leads to a deeper sense of alienation.
Official Annotated Key — IA3 Grade 8 ELA Assessment Prep Pack
