Write-On to an Essay

Write-On to an Essay Taking the first steps to writing an essay.

Step 1- Deconstruct the prompt • Look at the verb in the prompt- determine what the prompt is asking you do. • If it helps you, turn the prompt into a question. • Circle key words and identify topic (s) to address.

Deconstruct the prompt-Practice • Compare and contrast the religious and economic characteristic of colonial New England and the Middle Colonies Verb: compare/contrast = examine similarities and difference Key words: religious,economic, colonial New England, Middle Colonies

Deconstruct the prompt-Practice • Evaluate the impact the Columbian Exchange had on the New World. Verb: evaluate = make a judgment, what was good/bad or positive/negative or best/worst Keys words: impact, Columbian Exchange, New World

Deconstruct the prompt-Practice • Describe the major causes of the American Civil War Verb: describe = create a clear picture Key words: causes, American Civil War

Step 2- Pre-Write • What do remember about the topic?-Get your knowledge onto paper • Create a list or chart to organize your thoughts. • Use your pre-write to identify main ideas or key points to address in the essay.

Pre-Writing Example • Compare and contrast the religious and economic characteristics of New England and the Middle Colonies.

Pre-Writing Example • Evaluate the impact of the Columbian Exchange had on the New World.

Pre-Writing Example • Describe the major causes of the American Civil War. • PEGS is generally a good organizer.

Step 3- Create a Thesis • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-jHFyF1u_Y

Choose one of the following and answer it in one sentence • Which is more important for schools to offer athletics or fine arts? • Why do some professional athletes in the U.S. get paid millions of dollars? • If you had to move to another city, where would you live and why?

Pair, Share, Square • Pair up with someone who answered the same question. • Read your sentence aloud to each other. • Compliment each other’s sentence. • Find another pair who answered the same question. (4 people total) • Read your sentences to each other. • Choose the best sentence of the 4 and write it LARGE on a sheet of paper.

Class Discussion • What made these sentences the best? • What do they have in common? Did the sentences: • Answer the question? • Take a position? • Give some reasons? Great Thesis

What does a good thesis do? Takes a position Answers the question Gives topics for paragraphs The road to a great essay starts with an excellent thesis!

Position: Austin rocks! Thesis: Families and singles should move to Austin because of the outstanding University of Texas, beautiful Lady Bird Lake, and delicious Mexican food. Road map: UT, Lady Bird Lake, Chuy’s Position: Austin stinks! Thesis: It is surprising that anyone ever chooses to live in Austin because of its terrible traffic, dying malls, and high summer temperatures. Road map: IH-35 at rush hour, Highland Mall, any large parking lot at noon in August Is Austin a good place to live?

The 3 Rules of a Good Thesis 1) Answers the question. • Be specific. 2) Takes a position. • The reader should be able to agree or disagree with your position. 3) Mentions the topics for your supporting paragraphs. • Tell how your paper is going to be organized.

Thesis Types to Avoid Reading Rainbow “Have you ever thought about the Alamo?” (Don’t use a question or the word “you.”) Charles Dickens “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Take a stand! Choose: best or worst) Laundry List “California has many problems such as air pollution in Los Angeles, traffic on I-5, earthquakes in San Francisco, high cost of living in San Jose and the government has a lot of debt.” (List is too long and too specific – don’t write the whole essay in the thesis.)

Practice #1-Which Thesis is Best? Question: Who is the most valuable player in the NBA? Thesis 1: Does Lebron James’s ability to score makes him the league’s most valuable player? Thesis 2: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player. Thesis 3: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league’s most valuable player.

Practice #1 Question: Who is the most valuable player in the NBA?Thesis 2: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player. Does the thesis: • Answer the question? Yes, gives a MVP 2) Take a position. Yes, James is the MVP 3) Mention the topics for your supporting paragraphs. Yes, score, pass and rebound

Practice # 1-Which Thesis is Best? Question: How are deserts of the world the same and different? Thesis 1: I am going to tell you about the deserts of the world. Thesis 2: Deserts of the world, including ones in North and South America, Antarctica, Africa, Australia, and Asia are the same and different. Thesis 3: Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size.

Practice #1 Question: How are deserts of the world the same and different?Thesis 3: Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size. Does the thesis: • Answer the question? Yes, talks about same/ different and deserts 2) Take a position. Yes, says they are vastly different 3) Mention the topics for your supporting paragraphs. Yes, similarities and then differences in terms of temperature, vegetation, size

Practice # 3 Question: How did Christopher Columbus’ trip to the Americas change the world? In pairs, write a thesis and make sure that it (1) answers the question (2) takes a position (3) gives topics for supporting paragraphs

What makes a good thesis statement? • 1) Answer the question! • 2) Take a position! • Give topics for your supporting paragraphs!

Exit Slip Deconstruct, Pre-Write, and Create a thesis that addresses the following prompt. How do push-pull factors affect migration? (choose 3 of the 4 Human Geographic factors to write about)

Write-On to an Essay