Name______Period_____
ESSENTIAL QUESTION ESSAY
Due Dates
First Body Paragraph: Wednesday, April 15
Completed Outline for Writing Conference: Friday, April 17
Final Draft due by the End of Class: Monday, April 27
ESSENTIAL STANDARD: DEVELOP A WELL-SUPPORTED, EFFECTIVE ARGUMENT.
Claim: Your opinion. Your claim is an analytical statement that requires evidence to be proven. Without evidence, it is merely an assertion. Your claim is the first step in building an argument.
Evidence: What you supply to prove your claim. Your evidence should derive from credible sources and specific, background knowledge.
Interpretation or Analysis:This is your voice. Form an opinion or reach a conclusion through your reasoning of evidence. You must infer ideas or greater insights from your evidence. This may also be referred to as developing your evidence to show how the evidence supports your claim.
Exit: Exit out of the argument you created in this paragraph by answering the “so what” question about the prompt. What is the greater human truth of your argument? Leave your readers with a concluding sentence that clearly shows the significance of your argument.
Counterclaim: The opposition’s claim.
Refutation: Your response to the counterclaim. The refutation should reflect your claim and shouldideally be generated from evidence.
**CLASS NOTES ON WRITING ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND CREATING AN ANECDOTE*
YOUR WRITING GOAL: ______
YOUR ESSENTIAL QUESTION:______
SAMPLE ESSAY OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION:
Introduce Topic via “Attention-Getter”:Attention-getters include an anecdote, a compelling fact, a maxim (A SAYING TAKEN AS A UNIVERSAL TRUTH), and other options.
Introduce the conversation of the essential question and the major source of evidence you use to investigate this conversation (i.e. informational texts, TED talks, news clips, TV shows, and novels with corresponding authors):
1)Based on ______and ______, it is apparent that ______is an important issue….
2)In fictional works and in real-life situations,…….
MACRO-CLAIM: Answer the essential question with your argumentative idea. Do not use “I”.
FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
Sub or Micro-Claim #1/Topic Sentence #1: (Write a micro-claim that directly parallels your macro-claim)
1)Evidence #1: Direct quote, paraphrase, summary + MLA citation. (Sources may include: William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, “Kid Nation”, Philip Zimbardo’s “Mob Mentality” clip, supplementary readings from your packet, student selected source, and background knowledge)
-Pay It Forward (Mimi Leder)
-“Bystander Effect” (Zimbardo)
-Compassion Experiment (Discovery)
-“Kid Nation” (CBS)
2)INTERPRETATION – PART I:Analyze this example. What does this evidence suggest? You may need to pick out key words from the evidence and explain the deeper meaning behind this evidence.
3)INTERPRETATION – PART 2: How does this example connect back to your claim? How does this example prove your claim? (Do not use the words “my claim” in the warrant). ** NO “I”, “MY” or “WE”
4)Transition betweenthe warrant #1 and evidence #2 (HINT: Use the transition word list available at the end of this outline packet)
5)Evidence #2: Direct quote, paraphrase, summary + MLA citation. (Sources may include: William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, “Kid Nation”, Philip Zimbardo’s “Mob Mentality” clip, supplementary readings from your packet, student selected source, and background knowledge)
6)INTERPRETATION – PART I: Analyze this example. What does this evidence suggest? You may need to pick out key words from the evidence and explain the deeper meaning behind this evidence.
7)Counterclaim/Rebuttal: SET UP A (Acknowledging the counterargument)
Counterargument: The opposition to your claim. What is this opposition going to argue?– THEY SAY
-Provide evidence to get an A
Rebuttal: Your response to the counterclaim. This response should be based on the evidence and analysis you already provided in this body paragraph and/or new evidence and analysis. The rebuttal will parallel your warrant.(MATCHES MY CLAIM) – I SAY
8)INTERPRETATION – PART 2:How does this example connect back to your claim? How does this example prove your claim? (Do not use the words “my claim” in the warrant).
9)EXIT: Restate your claim and compare your two major pieces of evidence using different language. (Answer the “so what?”)
SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH: (Paragraph Break Here)
10)*Transition between body paragraphs +Sub or Micro-Claim #1/Topic Sentence #1: (The part of your claim this body paragraph will address. Write a micro-claim that directly parallels your macro-claim.)
11)Evidence #3: Direct quote, paraphrase, summary + MLA citation.(Sources may include: William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, “Kid Nation”, Philip Zimbardo’s “Mob Mentality” clip, supplementary readings from your packet, student selected source, and background knowledge)
12)INTERPRETATION – PART I: Analyze this example. What does this evidence suggest? You may need to pick out key words from the evidence and explain the deeper meaning behind this evidence.
13)INTERPRETATION – PART 2: How does this example connect back to your claim? How does this example prove your claim? (Do not use the words “my claim” in the warrant).
Counterclaim/Rebuttal: SET UP B (Providing evidence for the counterargument)
14)Counterargument: The opposition to your claim. What is this opposition to your argument going to say? Provide specific evidence for this counterargument. Direct quote, paraphrase, summary + MLA citation. (Sources may include: William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, “Kid Nation”, Philip Zimbardo’s “Mob Mentality” clip, supplementary readings from your packet, student selected source, and background knowledge)
15)Rebuttal: Your response to the counterclaim. This response should be based on the evidence and analysis you already provided in this body paragraph and/or new evidence and analysis via Evidence #4:
16)Evidence #4: Direct quote, paraphrase, summary + MLA citation. (Sources may include: Ken Robinson’s “Schools Kill Creativity” TED talk, David Guggenheim’s Waiting for Superman, education debaters from New York Times, Birke Baeher’s “What’s wrong with our food system”, Ellen Gustafson’s “Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue”, food debaters from The New York Times, Morgan Spurlock’s Supersize Me, and background knowledge)
17)INTERPRETATION – PART I: Analyze this example. What does this evidence suggest? You may need to pick out key words from the evidence and explain the deeper meaning behind this evidence.
18)INTERPRETATION – PART II:How does this example connect back to your claim? How does this example prove your claim? (Do not use the words “my claim” in the warrant).
19)EXIT: Restate your claim and compare your two major pieces of evidence using different language. (Answer “so what?”)
CONCLUSION:
Recap: Restate micro-claim #1, micro-claim #2, to show MACRO-CLAIM.
-USE FRESH LANGUAGE
Connection/Synthesis: How does this claim apply to the larger world?
-SO WHAT? WHO CARES?
Clincher: Final attention-getter should connect back to your anecdote (intro paragraph attention-getter):
Transition Words Brief List:
Paragraph-to-paragraph: accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, now, otherwise, similarly, still, then, thereafter, therefore, thus, undoubtedly,
Transitional phrases within paragraphs: in addition, in contrast, for example, for instance, of course, as a result, in other words, as a result.
Essential Question Essay: Self or Peer Revision Rubric
This writing assignment will include:
Claim Write your claim based on your proposed essential question
Evidence Present evidence in proper MLA format.
Inference/Analysis Develop your understanding about the evidence by analyzing what the speaker is suggesting.
Counteargument/Rebuttal The opposition’s claim and the response to the counterclaim
Warrant Analyze how your evidence supports your claim.
INTRODUCTION:
____/2Attention-Getter
____/2Introduce texts, author, and topic
____/2Claim responds to the essential question.
____6 Introduction Total
BODY PARAGRAPHS:
____/2Subclaim corresponds with the claim.
____/2First piece of evidence is appropriately selected and cited.
____/2First inference/analysis of the evidence is developed and clear.
____/2Warrant connects first piece of evidence to the claim.
____/2Second piece of evidence is appropriately selected and cited.
____/2Second inference/analysis of the evidence is developed and clear.
____/2Warrant connects both pieces of evidence to the claim.
____/4Counterclaim and corresponding rebuttal is appropriately placed and articulated.
____/2The concluding sentence reflects the comparison between the two pieces of evidence.
_____/22Body Paragraph Total
____/2Subclaim corresponds with the claim.
____/2First piece of evidence is appropriately selected and cited..
____/2First inference/analysis of the evidence is developed and clear.
____/2Warrant connects first piece of evidence to the claim.
____/2Second piece of evidence is appropriately selected and cited..
____/2Second inference/analysis of the evidence is developed and clear.
____/2Warrant connects both pieces of evidence to the claim.
____/4Counterclaim and corresponding rebuttal is appropriately placed and articulated.
____/2The concluding sentence reflects the contrast between the two pieces of evidence.
_____/22Body Paragraph Total
CONCLUSION:
_____/2 Recap on claim
_____/2Synthesizer
_____/2Clincher
_____/6Conclusion Total
OTHER ESSENTIAL ESSAY ELEMENTS:
____/4 Final draft follows MLA format: heading, margins, font, space.
____/4Transitions are used clearly throughout the essay.
____/4Final self-revision submitted with appropriate labeling of argument elements.
____/4Appropriate word choice throughout.
____/4Grammar bootcamp rules utilized (proper mechanics)
____/20Total Other Elements Points
____/76TOTAL ESSAY POINTS
FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2014
ESSAY SUBMISSION DAY!
Directions: Follow the steps described below to successfully submit your essay.
1)Using the rubric attached to this packet. PEER revise your essay with a partner in class. You may only SELF revise if you were absent.
-Check that the essay has each of the elements that are listed in the rubric.
-Check that the essay follows the grammar bootcamp rules. Listed here are the different sentence organizations we have previously studied:
IND, DCW.
DCW, IND.
IND1,DCW,IND1.
IND1 fanboys DCW
IND1, fanboys IND2.
IND1; IND2.
IND1; DCW, IND2.
IND1: DCW (may be a longer quote)
-Check MLA format for your name heading, corner heading, and titles.
Documentary titles are italicized.
Articles and TED talks should have “quotation marks” around the titles.
- In the box below, indicate if you SELF revised or PEER revised:
2)Compile your submission packet in this order:
- Argumentative Writing Rubric
- Outline Notes for Writing Conference
- First Body Paragraph
- Your First Draft Essay
- Your Final Draft Essay
- Your Works Cited (in MLA format)
- Your Research Source
Works Cited
Learning Target: I can create a works cited in MLA format.
WHAT IS IT: Organized list of MLA cited sources (including background information on the sources) that were used in your essay. This is not the same as a bibliography. A bibliography is a list of all sources that you referenced while creating your essay.
SO WHAT?: Citing your sources is necessary to give credit to sources and to demonstrate that you collected information from credible sources. Nearly all college-level writing assignments require a works cited.
HOW TO MAKE ONE IN MLA FORMAT:
1)Use a MLA citation engine to write the individual citation. Possible tools:
- NoodleBib
- EasyBib
- Knightcite (knightcite.com)
2)Organize all the citations in alphabetical order after the last page of your essay.
3)Make sure to start the works cited page on a new page after the last page of your essay.
4)Indent each line after the first line of a citation by 6 spaces (1/2 inch)
5)Double space all text.
6)Center the title Works Cited. Do no italicize, bold, or underline.
7)Keep in times new roman, 12 point font, 1 inch margins.
Mini-Research Practice
Learning Target: I can research and cite a credible source.
WHAT IS IT: This is a practice in finding, reading, and annotating a text that you can use in your essential question essay.
A credible source may include:
- Articles from news publications.
- Scholarly articles from journals.
- Books
- Interviews with those who have first-hand experience with an issue.
A non-credible source may include:
- Gossip magazines
- Some social media posts
- Some personal blogs
- Text messages
SO WHAT?: Research is important to every discipline of study. This is a practice in finding a “credible” source and using this sources to enhance your argument.
HOW TO DO THIS PRACTICE:
1)Find a credible source that could enhance your argument. This may be a source that supports your argument, functions as a counterclaim, or works as background information on your essential question. If you have questions about credibility, make sure to ask Mrs. Delacruz.
2)Print the source.
3)Annotate the source for SOAPSTone directly on the article.
4)Use the source in your essay.
5)Cite the source in your Works Cited.
6)Submit this source when you submit your essay.
Delacruz 1