Drafting

Research Essay

Before You Draft:

• Complete a form of Prewriting• If the Map doesn’t work for you, create your own

web, outline, or zero draft

• The minimum requirements due by the end of class today:

1. AGD (Attention Getting Device) (2 points)2. Thesis (4 points)3. Topic sentences for each body paragraph (6 points)4. Restated thesis for the conclusion (3 points)

4/29 Goals:

• Introduction drafted

Incentive:

• Anyone who is able to show me a completed form of prewriting AND 2 full paragraphs of his/her draft will earn a 2 point bonus coupon.

Consequence:

• Anyone who is off task will earn a failing grade for today’s assignment.

Planning your Introduction

1. AGD (Attention Getting Device OR Attention Grabber)

2. Hints about your body paragraphs

3. Thesis

AGD

• Ask a thought-provoking question related to your topic– Transition smoothly into your next though; do

not leave the question hanging

• Introduce an interesting fact about your topic

• Help your reader personally connect to your topic

Hints for Body Paragraphs

• DO NOT use over-simplified statements such as:

First, I will talk about . . .

Next, I will explain . . .

Finally, I will talk about . . .

• This is BORING!

• YOU ARE NOT A ROBOT!

• Use citations when necessary

Hints for Body Paragraphs

• Use sophisticated transitions

• Be creative

• Be clear

• Get to the point

Thesis

• Thesis = Subject + Your Opinion

• Should be stated as if it were a fact

Style:

• Use words and phrases to make your tone clear

Sample Introduction

How many innocent lives could have been spared if The United States took action when the concentration camps in Europe were first discovered? As early as 1942, the United States government had knowledge of the Nazi concentration camps in which millions of people perished (“U.S. & World Response”). Yet despite the government having knowledge of their existence, little was done to save the victims. With the proper allocation of military and civilian resources, it would have been possible to liberate or destroy the camps much sooner. It also would have been possible to find homes for the thousands of would-be refugees who attempted to flee Europe and come to American shores (“U.S. & World Response”). . The American government, however, refused many times to grant help when it was needed. This is a tragedy for which our country bears great responsibility.

Body Paragraphs

• Begin with a sophisticated transition (a phrase; a dependent clause . . .)

• DO NOT rely on “first”, “next”, “then” . . .

• Be creative and exciting

• If the transitions trip you up right now, move on to the rest of the paragraph, but COME BACK TO THEM later!

Body Paragraphs Quotations and Citations

• Introduce all quotations• Follow up every fact with your own

analysis• CITE EVERYTHING!

– Use author’s last names when available– Use titles of articles if no author is available– Use page numbers– Punctuate properly– https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

Sample Body ParagraphFew people realize that as early as August, 1942, it

was known in Washington that the Nazi party had established an organized method of mass murder. According to the timeline “U.S. & World Response”, a American by the name of Rabbi Wise received a telegram detailing the atrocities, and “the State Department confirmed the accuracy of the information” before a committee petitioned Roosevelt to “take more steps to rescue European Jews” (“U.S. & World Response”). However, not only was nothing done to stop the killing in Europe, ships of Jewish citizens attempting to leave Europe were turned away from American shores (“U.S. & World Response”). It was irresponsible for the American government to turn a blind eye to these people’s suffering. The United States had enough money and resources to offer aid, and yet nothing was done for years.

Conclusion

• Thesis must be restated using DIFFERENT words

• Restate all important/key ideas

• End with a POWERFUL statement

• DO NOT use a generic closer such as:

Thank you for reading my essay . . .

This was my essay about . . .

• http://www.ushmm.org/m/pdfs/20140122-US-World_Response-Timeline.pdf