Writing is a ProcessMrs. Thompson/ Monday

Developing an Introduction

At t ent ion Get t er Br idge

Int r oduce t opic/ r esear ch

Br idge

Thesis

WHAT IS AN ATTENTION GETTER?

ATTENTION GRABBER

•FIRST SENTENCE OF THE PAPER THAT HOOKS THE READER.

•SHOULD BE INTERESTING AND INVITING

ATTENTION GRABBERFACTS: • This information must be true and verifiable• Doesn't need to be totally new to your readers• Illustrates the point you wish to make

If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a sentence or two of elaboration.

ANECDOTE:

• An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point• Short, to the point, and relevant to your topic• This can be a very effective opener for your

essay, but use it carefully.

Write Your Own Attention Getter

PAPER TOPIC: Prove how moral

truths are essential for humanity?

Example of Attention Grabber

Tanya Brown, a five year old girl, was shot and killed in Chicago last week in a spray of gunfire outside her home in Englewood after gang violence erupted in the streets. Tanya leaves behind her mother, father, and three brother, but more importantly, she leaves behind the reality of gun warfare occurring in city street.

Writing is a ProcessMrs. Thompson

Tuesday

BRIDGE and INTRO TOPIC

Bridge•Connects the attention grabber to the Introduction•Linking sentence

Introduction of Topic• What are you going to be addressing?

• A lot of times this is the topic assigned from the teacher

• For example: •TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS: Write a 2-3 page paper that discusses the issue of gun violence in the United States and current gun laws/reform. • Your job is to take a position (thesis)• Use the introduction of topic to address and lead into what you are going to argue.

YOUR TURN

WRITE A BRIDGE AND

INTRODUCTION

Tanya Brown, a five year old girl, was shot and killed in Chicago last week in a spray of gunfire outside her home in Englewood after gang violence erupted in the streets. Tanya leaves behind her mother, father, and three brother, but more importantly, she leaves behind the reality of gun warfare occurring in city street. Gun violence has been an issue and constant debate for decades; however, now more than ever, there is a strong push for reform and reevaluation of gun necessity. Although the United States continues to have the largest death toll due to firearms, many argue that it is our Constitutional right. However, it is evident that something needs to change.

Writing is a ProcessMrs. Thompson

Wednesday

THESIS STATEMENTS

Thesis Statement • IT MUST BE AN ARGUMENT

• IT IS THE PURPOSE/POINT OF YOUR PAPER

• Will be supported in the body of a paper; it tells the reader what to expect as they read on.

• YOU MUST BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY READER’S OPINION WITHOUT SAYING… I THINK (Bad Writing) or IN MY OPINION (EVEN WORSE)

Thesis Statements • Thesis must be a generalization, not a fact

• Too Factual: The polygraph was developed by Dr. John A. Larson in 1921.

• Revised: Because the polygraph has not been proved reliable, even under the most controlled conditions, its use by employers should be banned.

Thesis Statements

• You will need to narrow the focus of your thesis; it must not be too general.

• Too Broad: Many drugs are not being used successfully to treat mental illnesses.

• Revised: Despite its risks and side effects, Prozac is an effective treatment for depression.

Thesis Statements

• Thesis should be sharply focused, not too vague.•Beware of any thesis containing fuzzy, hard-to-define words (interesting, good, disgusting, etc)

• Too Vague: Many of the songs played on station WXQP are disgusting.

• Revised: Of the songs played on station WXQP, all too many depict sex crudely, sanction the beating or rape of women, or foster gang violence.

THESIS: FOI

• F - Focused. A good thesis is not too broad, but not too limiting. A balance/focus is necessary.• O - Opinionated. A good thesis

includes your opinion on the topic. It will open up critical thinking/analysis.• I - Interesting. A good thesis is

stylistically interesting to read and the reader looks forward to what will come in the essay.

Stems for Thesis Argument

• Even though _________________, _________________________.•Even though Mrs. Thompson was voted meanest teacher of the year, she still is a great educator, as her students maintained the highest averages on the ACT.

• Due to __________________, _____________________. •Due to the influx of cows in the Huntley area, it is evident that Mrs. Thompson should take some home with her to save famers from this burden.

• Although __________________, ____________________.•Although many argue that Mrs. Thompson does not have good dance moves, her spirit and determination should push her into the finals of Dancing with the Teachers.

Stems for Thesis Argument

• ______________________; however, ___________________.• In Mrs. Thompson’s The Memoirs of a Teacher, she explains her constant battle to seem funny to her students; however, it is evident that she is not funny and never will be.

• ___________________; therefore, ___________________. •Mrs. Thompson has greatly improved the writing of her students; therefore, she should receive doughnuts from them everyday.

Let’s Practice For a Moment

•With the introduction you have already started to create,

please create a well-developed thesis.

Tanya Brown, a five year old girl, was shot and killed in Chicago last week in a spray of gunfire outside her home in Englewood after gang violence erupted in the streets. Tanya leaves behind her mother, father, and three brother, but more importantly, she leaves behind the reality of gun warfare occurring in city street. Gun violence has been an issue and constant debate for decades; however, now more than ever, there is a strong push for reform and reevaluation of gun necessity. Although the United States continues to have the largest death toll due to firearms, many argue that it is our Constitutional right. However, it is evident that something needs to change. Gun violence is thwarting the American Dream to live free; therefore, there needs to be gun reform in order to stop the continued blood shed of its people.

Writing is a ProcessMrs. Thompson

Introduction Activity Writing References/ Thursday

Writing is a ProcessMrs. Thompson

TEAMonday : 9/23

T= Topic Sentence

• Informing the reader on the point of the paragraph • The purpose of the paragraph•Needs to be opinionated, open up analysis, and relate to the stated thesis.

Topic Sentence

•Try it!! Create on good topic sentence that you could write about in your essay! •Pair/Share

Evidence

• Quote, summary, paraphrase, fact• Needs to support T.S. and Thesis Argument• This is where your citation goes! • Evidence is NOT opinionated, rather it is direct from the text. It is crucial in terms of supporting your thesis, but means nothing without……….

Analysis • Give the reasoning behind this quote• Explanation: how does this prove your

point?• Evaluate the quote and the

relationship to the T.S.• Infer deeper meanings of quote in

order to connect to thesis and T.S.• Perhaps the most critical part of the

paragraph. • This is your OPINION regarding the text. ..without saying I

THINK OR IN MY OPINION• It should reflect critical insight and thinking. It should be

interesting and original. • This is what makes a good literary analysis, or any essay for

that matter, stand apart from others.

Stems for Analysis

•How does this [e] prove my point?•What is the purpose of this [e]?•What is the importance of the [e]?•Connect [e] to life, novel, etc.

TEA-C

• C - Concluding Sentence•Every paragraph must end with a concluding sentence. This sums up the content of the paragraph AND transitions to the next idea.

Note: Your transitional idea or word may also appear at the beginning of the next body paragraph!

PAPER TOPIC: Prove how moral

truths are essential for humanity? EVIDENCE. EVIDENCE.

EVIDENCE. ***Be sure to use specific examples from the readings to support your

argument!***

•How can we create a strong body

paragraph proving your thesis?

Tanya Brown, a five year old girl, was shot and killed in Chicago last week in a spray of gunfire outside her home in Englewood after gang violence erupted in the streets. Tanya leaves behind her mother, father, and three brother, but more importantly, she leaves behind the reality of gun warfare occurring in city street. Gun violence has been an issue and constant debate for decades; however, now more than ever, there is a strong push for reform and reevaluation of gun necessity. Although the United States continues to have the largest death toll due to firearms, many argue that it is our Constitutional right. However, it is evident that something needs to change. Gun violence is thwarting the American Dream to live free; therefore, there needs to be gun reform in order to stop the continued blood shed of its people.

Writing is a ProcessMrs. Thompson

TUESDAY 9/23

TEA WORKSHEET

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion• Is SIMILAR to the introduction, but not the

same.• Ties up all loose ends.• Restates thesis and generally, main ideas.• Leaves the reading with a parting thought.

Organize it!!!• At this point, you should have mastered the

standard, circular format of an essay – Introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

• You may be moving beyond 5 paragraphs which is fine. The general format (intro, body, conclusion) remains the same. You may have additional body paragraphs or a longer intro/conclusion.

Transitions are important!• Transitions are not only words, but how you

transition from idea to idea. • All ideas need to connect and flow

appropriately. Do not jump from one idea to the next without preparing your reader!

• Examples of transitional words = However, although, furthermore, first, next, last, moreover, finally, in conclusion, etc.

Style• The salt, pepper, spices, and cheese of your

essay. Spices it up and makes it interesting to read.

• Analogies, stories, use of language and varied vocabulary, humor, tone, varying sentence style and type, etc.

Style • Choosing ACTIVE verbs. If you choose a

vivid/active verb, you will avoid wordiness!• Avoid redundancy! If you think you are

saying the same thing twice…take it out!• Change sentences that begin with “There”• Vary sentence beginnings. Vary standard

S,V, O sentence structure. Combine simple sentences to create compound/complex structures!

Grammar• At this point, let’s say this. Standard rules of

English apply. You should know those by now!!! Pay close attention to spelling, and do NOT use slang in an academic essay…..ever!

Grammar/Mechanics• Most common errors (that I saw in your

summer reading projects):• Comma splices• Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement• Tense Errors• Incorrect usage of the semi-colon• Fragments• Too many simple sentences!!!! Combine!

TEA