Springboard - Activity 2.5 - The Double Edge of Impulse

4/10/24, 9:28 AM Springboard - Activity 2.
5: The Double Edge of Impulse
Notes
 SpringBoard® English Language Arts: En…
eBook  Assignments Progress Reports Digital Library  What's New
Activity 2.5: The Double Edge of

Impulse
Learning Targets
Analyze two texts for examples of language that Implies Impulsiveness.
Use an outline to plan a multiple-paragraph response.

Draft a multiple-paragraph response. 
Help
Preview
In this activity, you will use an outline to help you develop and write a multiple-
paragraph response about how pivotal words and phrases illustrate the unpredictability of
human impulse in the face of nature.
Learning Strategies
Graphic Organizer, Outlining, Rereading
 Opening Writing Prompt

Reread the last stanza of John Montague's poem “The Fight.” Then answer the
following question.
https://content.ebook.springboardonline.org/springboard-english-language-arts-english-i-9-national-2021/activity-25-the-double-edge-of-impulse-198/ 1/9
4/10/24, 9:28 AM Springboard - Activity 2.5: The Double Edge of Impulse
How is this stanza different from the rest of the poem?
AB The last stanza of John Montague's poem "The Fight" is different

from the rest of the poem because it reflects on the speaker's
capacity for forgiveness and the complexities of human nature in
response to beauty and destruction.
Revisiting “The Fight”

1. Sometimes writers use a semicolon (;) to connect two complete thoughts, while
also creating a dramatic pause between them. Reread the last stanza of “The
Fight” and write one sentence for each half of the stanza, translating the poetic
verse into prose.
AB The speaker acknowledges the dual nature of human impulse: the

inclination to both worship and destroy beauty, recognizing it as an
integral aspect of human existence.
2. When Montague refers to the “double edge of impulse,” what does he mean?
AB When Montague refers to the "double edge of impulse," he means

the conflicting desires within human nature to both appreciate and
harm beauty. It reflects the paradoxical nature of human impulse,
where the same instinct can lead to acts of reverence or
destruction.
 Writing to Sources: Informational Text

Both the short story “What Happened During the Ice Storm” and the poem “The
Fight” tell stories about the unpredictability of human impulse in the face of nature . How
does each writer use pivotal words and phrases to develop this theme? Use the
following process to outline and plan your writing.
 In "The Fight" by John Montague, the narrator states, "To worship or destroy
beauty--/ That double edge of impulse/ I recognize by which we live," (30-32)
highlighting an important theme regarding human nature. We can also see
this concept explored within the story "What Happened During the Ice Storm"
by Jim Heynen, best highlighting this "bitter paradox" (Montague, 33). Both
authors illustrate stories where young boys face a decision when exposed to
a more vulnerable side of nature that reflects the paradox of human
impulse.
AB The writer uses pivotal words and phrases such as " The double edge of
impuulse" which shows the unpredictability of human impulse in the face of
nature. These phrases and words such as "To worshup or destroy beauty"
also greatly help in developing the theme.
Gathering Evidence
199 3. Reread both texts, noting language that implies impulsive or unpredictable action
toward nature. Write each example of this language in the chart, along with notes
about why you think the example shows that someone is acting impulsively.
Title Language Notes
“What
Happened
AB " Some AB Some people without
During the farmers went thinking what the
Ice Storm” ice skating pheasants were going
down the through in the freezing ice
gravel roads storm took it as an
with clubs". opportunity to kill the
"He was pheasants, but the boys
taking of his instead went into the
coat". "The freezing rain to go and
boys went save the pheasants and
out into the they even went as far to
freezing rain". give them their own
jackets in the freezing
cold.
“The Fight”
AB AB
"I was so The use of "ran" suggests

pleased, I ran", sudden, impulsive action
"To count them, driven by excitement and
one by one / pleasure upon discovering the
Into his cold swallow's nest. The speaker's
palm", "When I immediate impulse is to share
saw him take / the discovery with a friend.The
And break act of counting the swallow's
them, one by eggs one by one into the
one / Against a friend's palm implies a sense
sunlit stone" of urgency or compulsion, as if
the speaker cannot wait to
share the experience and is
eager to impart the delicate
beauty of the nest's contents.
Forming a Multiple-Paragraph Outline

4. Use the following multiple-paragraph outline to plan a response to literature about
how pivotal words and phrases from “What Happened During the Ice Storm” and
“The Fight” illustrate the unpredictable nature of human impulse in the face of
nature. In the left column of the outline, state the main idea of each paragraph,
and in the right column, list details that support each main idea.
Multiple-Paragraph Outline
Main Idea Details
Introduction
Paragraph 1 AB
Introduction
provides an
overview of the two
texts, "What
Happened During
the Ice Storm" and
"The Fight."
AB
It establishes the
theme of human
impulse in response
to nature's
unpredictability.
Respond...
Main Idea Details
Heynen
Paragraph 2

The writer's use of

the word/phrase
__________ suggests
to the reader that
_________.
AB
The writer's use of

the phrase "Some
farmers went ice
skating down the
gravel roads with
clubs" highlights the
impulsive and
reckless behavior of
individuals during
the ice storm.
AB
The phrase "He was

taking off his coat"
implies an
immediate,
instinctive response
to the situation
without much
thought or
deliberation.
AB
The boys' decision

to go out into the
freezing rain
demonstrates
impulsive action
driven by empathy
and a desire to help
the pheasants.
Main Idea Details
Main Idea Details
Montague
Paragraph 3

The writer's use of

the word/phrase
__________ suggests
to the reader that
_________.
AB
The phrase "I was

so pleased, I ran"
suggests impulsive
excitement upon
discovering the
swallow's nest,
indicating an
immediate urge to
share the
experience.
AB
The act of counting

the swallow's eggs
one by one into the
friend's palm
showcases a sense
of urgency or
compulsion,
emphasizing the
speaker's eagerness
to impart the beauty
of nature.
AB
Witnessing the
friend break the
eggs against a
stone illustrates
impulsive and
destructive behavior,
Main Idea Details
contrasting with the

initial wonder and
reverence towards
nature.
Composing a Multiple-Paragraph Analysis

5. Use the evidence that you gathered as well as the notes in your multiple-
paragraph outline to help you write your analysis. As you develop your draft, be
sure to:
Write an introduction that tells the theme of your response and states a thesis.
Include in your introduction the title and author for each literary work your
analysis will explore.
Support your thesis with details and evidence from “What Happened During
the Ice Storm” and “The Fight.”
Use quotation marks around language that comes directly from the texts.
Use a variety of complete sentences.
Use a semicolon to link independent clauses that are closely related.
Include a transitional sentence at the beginning of the third paragraph that

tells readers how this paragraph connects the ones that came before it.
Include a concluding statement that connects the details and evidence you
have provided to the thesis in your introductory paragraph.
To help you write sentences for your second and third paragraphs, you may use
the following sentence frame:
The writer's use of the word/phrase __________ suggests to the reader that
_________.
Independent Reading Link
Read and Respond

Think about the text you are reading independently and how it is impacted by the
author's use of language. Are there particular words and phrases that stand out to
you? Why do they stand out and how do they affect your understanding of the text's
theme, subject, or main idea? Choose one pivotal word or phrase and write a
paragraph about its overall effect on how you understand or feel about an event,
scene, person, or character you are reading about.

Springboard - Activity 2.5 - The Double Edge of Impulse

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Springboard - Activity 2.5 - The Double Edge of Impulse

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

4/10/24, 9:28 AM Springboard - Activity 2.

5: The Double Edge of Impulse

Activity 2.5: The Double Edge of

Analyze two texts for examples of language that Implies Impulsiveness.

Use an outline to plan a multiple-paragraph response.

Graphic Organizer, Outlining, Rereading

 Opening Writing Prompt

How is this stanza different from the rest of the poem?

AB The last stanza of John Montague's poem "The Fight" is different

Revisiting “The Fight”

AB The speaker acknowledges the dual nature of human impulse: the

AB When Montague refers to the "double edge of impulse," he means

 Writing to Sources: Informational Text

Title Language Notes

"I was so The use of "ran" suggests

Forming a Multiple-Paragraph Outline

Main Idea Details

Main Idea Details

The writer's use of

The writer's use of

The phrase "He was

The boys' decision

Main Idea Details

Main Idea Details

The writer's use of

The phrase "I was

The act of counting

Main Idea Details

contrasting with the

Composing a Multiple-Paragraph Analysis

Use a variety of complete sentences.

Use a semicolon to link independent clauses that are closely related.

Include a transitional sentence at the beginning of the third paragraph that

Independent Reading Link

Read and Respond

You might also like