Thesis Statements and Body Paragraphs--due before winter break!

Now that we've chosen topics and done some research, we've also started writing thesis statements.  Students will be getting feedback on their thesis statements so they can revise them when we write the introduction paragraphs.  Here are the notes we used to craft solid thesis statements.

Once we started the body paragraphs, our goal was to help students "unpeel" or rely less on the acronyms we've used in the past for body paragraphs.  Just like the videos reminded us, body paragraphs must several things:
1.  a topic sentence
2.  supporting sentences
3.  concluding sentence

So, to write a the first body paragraph, include these parts:

1.Topic sentence – decide which reason you want to start with.

2.Decide what evidence you want to use from the articles. Which parts will you paraphrase? Quote directly?

3.How does this evidence affect your position? How is it relevant? How does it connect with your experience? (You could even add a counterclaim here if it is relevant.)

4.Link back to your thesis or point.

Essay Video Lessons

In our class, we are now working on writing argument papers on a variety of topics.  Students have crafted thesis statements and are using Achieve3000 to do their research. You have also gotten back your PE essay and these videos are designed to help address some of the issues we saw repeated in many of the essays.

In class, you'll decide which video your group will watch first and then answer some questions in your composition book.  Here are the links to the videos.

Thesis Sentence vs. Topic Sentence by Shmoop

Paragraph Structure

Integrating Quotes in Essays

Incorporating Quotes    
Choosing and Using Quotations by Shmoop    

Watch the videos, as needed again at home.  Let us know if you find another video that has helped you with your writing.  




    
  

Research articles for your topics.

Here are the titles of the articles you should read to prepare for your essay.

What's your position?

What's your topic?  We did carousel brainstorming with these topics today.  We'll write the full essay soon.