American Dream

Unit

Name:
Date:
Period:
“Suzie Wong Doesn’t Live Here”

I. Before You Read

Think about ways in which a particular group you belong to is stereotyped, or perceived
according to preconceived ideas. For example, certain stereotypes are associated with
teenagers, cheerleaders, New Yorkers, or smart people. In the space below, draw a
cartoon to represent the stereotype of your group, with labels describing characteristics
linked to the stereotype, such as “bad acne” or “no social skills.” Afterward, write a
paragraph explaining your stereotype and what things, ideas or attitudes are associated
with it.

Cartoon:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
 II: Reading and Responding
Read the poem “Suzie Wong Doesn’t Live Here.” As you
read, write down your thoughts and reactions in the box
below. To help you with the responses, use the active
reading strategies

Read lines 1-25 and complete the following:

• Write down one question you

have.___________________________________________________
______

• Make a connection to the

poem____________________________________

Read lines 25-36 and complete the following:

• Evaluate the author’s purpose in writing this poem.

What was the purpose?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
__________________
 Name:
Date:
Period:

Responding in Writing

Choose one of the following writing prompts:

Option One Write a persuasive essay condemning the

stereotyping of a group you below to, as Diane Mei Lin Mark
condemns the stereotyping of Asian-American women. You
might use the cartoon you drew in section A as a starting
point for your paper.

In your persuasive essay, make sure to

• State the issue and your position on it clearly in the introduction.

• Appeal to the audience your trying to convince.
• Support your position with evidence.
• Answer possible objections to your position.
• Show clear reasoning.
• Conclude with a summary of your position.

Option Two Think of film or television show you have

seen in which a character who is at first perceived as
“different” eventually is accepted by the other characters he
or she encounters. Write a critical review of the film or show
using the guidelines below.

In your critical review, make sure to:

• Identify and give a brief summary of the work
• State your opinion of the work and make clear the criteria you used to
judge it.
• Support your opinion with well-chosen details and examples from the text.
• Organize arguments and supporting details in a way that is easy to follow.
• Conclude with a recommendation to the reader regarding the work.

Use the following space to brainstorm:

• Use a graphic organizer
• Web
• List
• Free writing