What What to to write?!?write?!?

What What to to write?!?write?!?

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Evaluating the PromptEvaluating the PromptSpend some time on the following steps:

Determine the type of essay you are writing.Determine the type of essay you are writing.

Explanatory? Explain or informExplain or inform

Argumentative? Opinion or Opinion or beliefbeliefNarrative? Tell a storyTell a story

Analyze the topic of the promptAnalyze the topic of the promptWhat exactly are you supposed to write about?

Identify advanced vocabularyIdentify advanced vocabulary

Which words in the prompt should you include in the essay?

ExampleExample

ExampleExample

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Prompt:Prompt:Many people take Many people take

great pride in great pride in exhibitingexhibiting the the characteristics of a characteristics of a goodgood citizencitizen..

Think about what Think about what types of types of characteristicscharacteristics make make up a goodup a good citizencitizen..

Now write to Now write to explainexplain what makes a person what makes a person a good citizen.a good citizen.

What typetype of essay are you writing?

Explain = Explanatory essayExplain = Explanatory essay

What exactlyexactly are you supposed to write aboutwrite about??

ExplainExplain what makes a person what makes a person a good citizen.a good citizen.

ExhibitExhibit

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsCitizenCitizen

Identify advancedvocabulary:

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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PRACTICEPRACTICE

PRACTICEPRACTICE

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Prompt:Prompt: Many people are Many people are

dog-lovers while dog-lovers while many others many others preferprefer cats or other cats or other animalsanimals as pets. as pets.

Think about which Think about which petpet you think is you think is better.better.

Now write to present Now write to present your opinion your opinion about about which animal which animal makes the best pet.makes the best pet.

What type of essay are you writing?

Opinion = Argumentative essayOpinion = Argumentative essay

What exactlyexactly are you supposed to write aboutwrite about?

Your opinion about Your opinion about which which animal makes the best pet.animal makes the best pet.

Identify advanced vocabulary:

PreferPreferPetPetAnimalAnimal

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Using Prior Knowledge Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits& Character Traits

Gather your Gather your thoughts…thoughts…

IDEASIDEASIDEASIDEAS

IDEAS!IDEAS!

Using Prior Knowledge Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits& Character Traits

Gather your Gather your thoughts…thoughts…

IDEASIDEASIDEASIDEAS

IDEAS!IDEAS!

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Powerful & Significant

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Activate Prior KnowledgeActivate Prior Knowledge

Read the prompt carefully – make sureRead the prompt carefully – make sureyou understand what the subject is. you understand what the subject is.

Write down all thoughts you have about Write down all thoughts you have about the subject.the subject.

Use your own knowledge base to get started. Use your own knowledge base to get started.

Responsibility Honesty

Kindness Self-Control

Respect Tolerance

Citizenship CooperationIf appropriate, try to incorporate at least one character trait into If appropriate, try to incorporate at least one character trait into each essay you write.each essay you write.

Using the following character traits (or variations) will helpUsing the following character traits (or variations) will help make your writing powerful and effective. make your writing powerful and effective.

Use Character TraitsUse Character Traits

Evaluating the Evaluating the Prompt – Prompt – General General

StatementStatement

     

     

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Avoid first person pronouns (most of the time) Avoid first person pronouns (most of the time) * I * me * my * we * us * our * * I * me * my * we * us * our *

Avoid narrative elements (unless you are writing an Avoid narrative elements (unless you are writing an Argumentative essay) Argumentative essay)

* * I think * I believe * I want * I should I think * I believe * I want * I should * My reasons * My opinion* My reasons * My opinion

Avoid using the words you, you’re, your (anywhere in Avoid using the words you, you’re, your (anywhere in the essay!) Do not “speak” to the readerthe essay!) Do not “speak” to the reader

Avoid abbreviations, symbols, or “IM talk” Avoid abbreviations, symbols, or “IM talk” 

USE capital letters and commas correctlyUSE capital letters and commas correctly

List reasons in a standard thesis: strongest, weak, List reasons in a standard thesis: strongest, weak, strongstrong

  

  

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Vending machines should be in our Vending machines should be in our school because they make money, school because they make money, offer choices, and hungry. offer choices, and hungry.

provided in

they

students get

Important Facts about Thesis StatementsImportant Facts about Thesis Statements

Capitalize first word of a new sentence and Capitalize first word of a new sentence and proper nounsproper nouns

Never place a comma before or after Never place a comma before or after becausebecause

Commas in a series for reasons (a, b, Commas in a series for reasons (a, b, conjunction c) conjunction c) 

Always check your thesis for agreement and Always check your thesis for agreement and revise!revise!

ListList Ideas Ideas by using Prior Knowledgeby using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits & Character Traits

ListList Ideas Ideas by using Prior Knowledgeby using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits & Character Traits

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Prompt:Prompt:Many people take great Many people take great pride in exhibiting the pride in exhibiting the characteristics of a good characteristics of a good citizen.citizen.

Think about what types Think about what types of characteristics make of characteristics make up a good citizen.up a good citizen.

Now write to explain Now write to explain what makes a person a what makes a person a good citizen.good citizen.

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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ListList Ideas Ideas by using Prior by using Prior KnowledgeKnowledge & Character Traits & Character Traits

ListList Ideas Ideas by using Prior by using Prior KnowledgeKnowledge & Character Traits & Character Traits

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Prompt:Prompt: Many people are Many people are

dog-lovers while dog-lovers while many others many others prefer cats or prefer cats or other animals as other animals as pets.pets.

Think about which Think about which pet you think is pet you think is better.better.

Now write to Now write to present your present your opinion about opinion about which animal which animal makes the best makes the best pet.pet.

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Thesis Statement

Your Road Map to a Great Essay!

Thesis Statement

Your Road Map to a Great Essay!

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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ThesisThesisStatementsStatements

ThesisThesisStatementsStatements

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Steps to develop Thesis Steps to develop Thesis StatementsStatementsEvaluate Ideas

Choose bestChoose bestIncorporate a character trait if you canIncorporate a character trait if you can

Analyze Word ChoiceChoose powerful wordsChoose powerful wordsUse wording from the promptUse wording from the prompt

Double Check ConventionsCheck spelling and punctuationCheck spelling and punctuationBe sure everything agrees in case, tense, and numberBe sure everything agrees in case, tense, and numberParallel structure is evidentParallel structure is evident

Use time-order transitions to begin each statementFirstFirst, NextNext, LastLast

Kick it

up!

Kick it

up!

Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Decide which type of thesis will flow with your writing.

Standard & ImpliedStandard & Implied

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

Standard & ImpliedStandard & Implied

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

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Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Kick it up!

Kick it up!

A Standard Thesis Standard Thesis Statement Statement lists the main ideas, which will make up the body of the essay, right in the statement.

An Implied Thesis Implied Thesis Statement Statement alludes to the ideas which will follow, but it does not list them in the statement.

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Example - Detail Statements or a Thesis Example - Detail Statements or a Thesis Statement:Statement:

Example - Detail Statements or a Thesis Example - Detail Statements or a Thesis Statement:Statement:

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Prompt:Many people take great pride in

exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen.

Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen.

Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen.

Choose best ideas:Obeys rules/lawsObeys rules/laws

Helps others in Helps others in

communitycommunity

Show Show

respectrespectThesis Statement:Being a good citizen means demonstrating obedience for laws, respect, and cooperation within one’s community.

Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement:Since we are all part of society, it is imperative to demonstrate the qualities of an upstanding citizen.

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Writing an Implied Thesis Statement Writing an Implied Thesis Statement Writing an Implied Thesis Statement Writing an Implied Thesis Statement

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Before you write an implied thesis, make sure Before you write an implied thesis, make sure to evaluate and choose the best ideas.to evaluate and choose the best ideas.

Decide on the main focus of the essay.Decide on the main focus of the essay.

For a persuasive essay, note an opposing For a persuasive essay, note an opposing viewpoint.viewpoint.

Follow the formula: LB, S when writing an Follow the formula: LB, S when writing an implied thesis statement.implied thesis statement.

Before writing, let’s review the formula: LB, S

Kick it up!Kick it up!

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Writing an LB, S

An LB, S is a Left Branch (subordinate clause) followed by a complete sentence.

A subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and is followed by a subject and a verb.

Writing an LB, S

An LB, S is a Left Branch (subordinate clause) followed by a complete sentence.

A subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and is followed by a subject and a verb.

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Although rock music is popularA subordinate clause

does NOT make sense by itself.

Although rock music is popular, I prefer to submerge myself in the melodies of classical music.usic.

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IMPORTANT: You need to be able to recognize

subordinating conjunctions.

afterafter

althoughalthough

asas

becausbecausee

even thougheven though untiluntil

beforebefore

sincesince

so thatso that

unlessunless

whenwhen

whilewhile

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When you are writing an Argumentative Essay, When you are writing an Argumentative Essay, an implied thesis statement will allow you to an implied thesis statement will allow you to address an opposing address an opposing

viewpoint but place the viewpoint but place the focus on your point.focus on your point.

Format the “left branch” to address the Format the “left branch” to address the opposing viewpoint.opposing viewpoint.

While backpack searches may seem like an invasion of privacy, the safety of students, faculty, and staff is the primary concern.

Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Kick it up!

Kick it up!

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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PracticePractice

PracticePractice

Prompt:Prompt: Many people are dog-Many people are dog-lovers while many lovers while many others prefer cats or others prefer cats or other animals as pets.other animals as pets.

Think about which pet Think about which pet you think is better.you think is better.

Now write to present Now write to present your opinion about your opinion about which animal makes which animal makes the best pet.the best pet.

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Thesis Statements Choice for Thesis Statements

Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Thesis Statements Choice for Thesis Statements

•Modify word choice

•Choose 3 best ideas

Evaluating Evaluating the Prompt the Prompt

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Write Thesis StatementWrite Thesis Statement Write Thesis StatementWrite Thesis Statement

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Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Kick it up!

Kick it up!

Without a doubt, a dog makes the best pet because it is a loyal companion, a guardian, and always active.

Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement:Although some people feel a cat is the

best pet, a dog truly makes the ultimate companion.

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