An Analysis of the Essay Math and After Math by Lensey Namioka
Before Reading
Math and After Math
Essay by Lensey Namioka
What are you really GOOD at?
RI 1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RI 2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details. RI 3 Analyze how the author unfolds a series of ideas or events. RI 4 Determine the meaning of words as they are used in a text. L 5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships.
Knowing what you’re good at can take you a long way toward finding work and activities that you enjoy. In “Math and After Math,” Lensey Namioka describes how she first embarked on one career path and then later discovered her true talent. DISCUSS Make a list of activities you particularly enjoy. For each one, list the skills that help you succeed at the activity. With a partner, brainstorm career possibilities that could make use of those skills.
Cooking • ability to follo w recipes • knack for comb ining ingredients
480
Meet the Author text analysis: implied main idea
In nonfiction, the writer’s central idea, or overall message, is often referred to as the main idea. This main idea may be stated directly, or it may be implied by the factual details and personal examples and ideas that the writer chooses to include. In “Math and After Math,” Lensey Namioka shares a series of anecdotes—episodes from her life through which she develops a main idea. To identify the implied main idea as you read, ask yourself, What important idea is conveyed by the anecdotes? How does this idea relate to the author’s conclusion?
Lensey Namioka born 1929
Always an Outsider Lensey Namioka was born in China and moved to the United States when she was nine years old. She has lived in many places and, consequently, has felt herself to be something of an outsider wherever she has lived. It’s not surprising, then, that the protagonists in her stories for young adults are usually outsiders
Math and After Math
Essay by Lensey Namioka
What are you really GOOD at?
RI 1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RI 2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details. RI 3 Analyze how the author unfolds a series of ideas or events. RI 4 Determine the meaning of words as they are used in a text. L 5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships.
Knowing what you’re good at can take you a long way toward finding work and activities that you enjoy. In “Math and After Math,” Lensey Namioka describes how she first embarked on one career path and then later discovered her true talent. DISCUSS Make a list of activities you particularly enjoy. For each one, list the skills that help you succeed at the activity. With a partner, brainstorm career possibilities that could make use of those skills.
Cooking • ability to follo w recipes • knack for comb ining ingredients
480
Meet the Author text analysis: implied main idea
In nonfiction, the writer’s central idea, or overall message, is often referred to as the main idea. This main idea may be stated directly, or it may be implied by the factual details and personal examples and ideas that the writer chooses to include. In “Math and After Math,” Lensey Namioka shares a series of anecdotes—episodes from her life through which she develops a main idea. To identify the implied main idea as you read, ask yourself, What important idea is conveyed by the anecdotes? How does this idea relate to the author’s conclusion?
Lensey Namioka born 1929
Always an Outsider Lensey Namioka was born in China and moved to the United States when she was nine years old. She has lived in many places and, consequently, has felt herself to be something of an outsider wherever she has lived. It’s not surprising, then, that the protagonists in her stories for young adults are usually outsiders