September 23, 2009 AP Question of the Day

1. September 23, 2009AP Question of the Day • Pass up Homework

2. Groups = Must be done at end of Period • You will be assigned a section • You need to read your section. • Take notes • Pull out the main ideas • Causes and effects • Which country(ies) are discussed in the reading • Major and Important people • You will break up into groups • Write on a piece of paper the main and important information/people/events in that section. • You will then ask me to approve the main important information/people/events in that section on apiece of paper • You will then write the information on a big piece of paper I give you!

3. Groups = Must be done at end of Period • You will break up into groups • Write on a piece of paper the main and important information/people/events in that section. • You will then ask me to approve the main important information/people/events in that section on apiece of paper • You will then write the information on a big piece of paper I give you!

4. Stop

5. Thesis • A thesis statement is a statement of an argument that you intend to prove. • A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful essay and a simple retelling of facts. • An easy and simple way to start is by using although.

6. The thesis for an AP essay must answer all parts of the question along with the position you will prove. • Was it right for Kanye West to interrupt Taylor Swift at the VMA’s? Explain your answer.

7. Example of a Good Thesis • Although Kanye West believed that Beyonce’s video was better, his interruption during Taylor Swift’s speech was inappropriate. What three prompts can you add here? • Body paragraphs should discuss three reasons why it was inappropriate. • I did NOT restate the thesis. • Kanye West’s statement at the VMA’s was valid, because Beyonce’s Video was entertaining, catchy, and

8. The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.) • The thesis statement is the “engine” which drives the entire essay. • Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it complete, clear, strong, and easy to find.

9. Attributes of a good thesis: • It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. • A strong thesis takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present • Which school is better Pacifica High School or Oxnard High School?

10. It is specific and focused. • A strong thesis proves a point without discussing everything. • Instead of music, think “American jazz in the 1930s” and your argument about it

11. Thesis • It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work. • It avoids vague language (like “it seems”). • It avoids the first person. (“I believe,” “In my opinion” or You)

12. How do you know if you have a solid thesis? • Does the thesis answer all parts of the question? • This is the most important fact to remember because an incomplete thesis results in an incomplete answer to the question, and an inadequate essay, which will receive a low grade.

13. Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with “Duh!” or “So what?” or “Gee, no kidding!” or “Who cares?” • Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as “all” or “none” or “every”? • Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)? • If you cannot answer “YES” to these questions, you will need to make changes in order for your thesis to pass these tests.