Close reading:

Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A Gang Member by Sanyika Shakur

Directions: Write a one sentence summary for each paragraph (what is going on? What
is the paragraph about?)
1. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
8. ____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
9. ____________________________________________________________________________________
10.
______________________________________________________________________________
______
11.
______________________________________________________________________________
______

How to start your one sentence summary:

In paragraph ___ Sanyika.

In paragraph ___ Sanyika gives background knowledge about
Paragraph ___ is about
In paragraph ___ Sanyika explains
In paragraph ____ the author gives a detailed description of
In paragraph ____ the author starts to reflect on.

Evaluating structure:
1. Why did Sanyika Shakur start his narrative in a war zone?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 provide supporting details and _______________________ (in
narrative notes) which helps us (the reader) understand what is happening and
why it is happening.
2. The author uses paragraphs 1-6 to
A. tell the story of one boys membership in a gang.
B. introduce the setting and explain the context for the story that is about to be told.
C. talk about the authors time in Vietnam.
D. promote the city of Los Angeles.
3. Which of the following is NOT part of the authors stated purpose in
writing his story?
A. To save the lives of young people and innocent civilians
B. To educate people about gang life in South Central Los Angeles
C. To become famous and establish a celebrity reputation as a gang member
D. To explain the seriousness of gang army tactics
4. In which paragraph does Sanyika begin to reflect on his experiences in a gang?
What has he learned? What is his purpose in writing his story? Use textual
evidence to support your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________