Vocabulary Quiz Monday: Quizlet for Unit 4

Click HERE FOR THE QUIZLET!

Preparing to write your first persuasive essay

Some reminders:

The function of a body paragraph is to support your main idea, or thesis. In persuasive writing, you make a claim or assertion in response to a prompt, and then you have to prove it. To prove your thesis, you write body paragraphs.

Whether you have one or two body paragraphs really depends on you and what you prefer.

Body paragraphs generally go like this:

1. A topic sentence that introduces your example and uses at least 1 key word from your thesis.
2. Details that fully illustrate your example. (Think: proper nouns, who/what/when/where/why/how)
3. Analysis. Explain how your example proves your thesis. Remember, you're trying to persuade, not inform. It is your job to explain why the example you've given should persuade your audience. Explain it like you're explaining it to a stranger.

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A note about conclusions. Remember this hourglass shape?

The general "shape" of an essay.

Notice that the conclusion happens at the bottom of the page, where it widens back out. In your conclusion, "zoom out" from  your examples. Talk about the topic again in a broad way. Use the key words again. Most importantly, this is your last persuasive moment with your audience. Instead of restating your thesis, explain how this issue relates to your audience. In other words, tell your reader why it matters to them, or why it should matter. (Think: pathos.)

So let's say you've just written about jobs.
For your conclusion: Why do jobs matter?
It's not just about jobs. It's about providing a quality of life for your family. 

Let's say you've written about how big cities have better schools, or a choice of schools.
For your conclusion: Why does this matter?
Because it's not just about the school. It's about achievement. Giving yourself opportunities. Investing in yourself. Developing a sense of pride.

Let's say you've written that a small town is better because of the lack of pollution.
For your conclusion: Why does this matter?
It's not just about pollution. It's about... what? What wider issue is at hand?

So tomorrow, when you sit to write the essay, think about this hourglass shape, and think about how that applies to your conclusion.

Writing to Show - Persuasive Body Paragraphs

All classes have written thesis statements and are moving on to writing body paragraphs on Monday. We will write the essay on Tuesday. This essay is our last summative grade for this nine weeks! Please be prepared to write in some detail on Monday. This means that for each body paragraph, you will need an actual, specific example of your point.

For example, let's say you're saying that big cities are better because they have a variety of food choices.

I need an actual example of what you mean by "food choices." As in, you need an example with the name of a restaurant, the type of food, etc.

Another example: Rural areas are preferable because it might be easier to start a romance."

Welp, I need an actual example of that happening. If you're going to base it on a movie (or book), I need the name of the movie, the characters, setting, etc.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS!!! This weekend, it might be a good idea to look through your DVD collection, your DVR, your room, etc. for things you can use as an example to prove your point. Watch that movie again. Eat at that restaurant again. Want to write about MLK? Google about his life. If you need examples, why not go on Netflix or YouTube and watch a documentary about something or someone? If you want to write about food, you could watch a documentary or video about a famous chef. Be prepared to write in detail on Monday!

SAT Vocabulary Quizlet #3

Here is the Quizlet for Unit #3 - Click here!

Vocabulary quiz #3 is tomorrow; study definitions, synonyms, and antonyms.

Vocabulary Quiz EXTRA CREDIT!

Want to earn some extra credit on Friday's vocabulary quiz?

Print one of these for every word (click here) and fill it out for every word. That means you'll need ten copies of the page. If you don't have a printer, you can look at the file and recreate that on notebook paper or copy paper. You must fill it out completely for EVERY word and turn it in on FRIDAY during class. This is worth TEN POINTS extra credit on this quiz!

Writing a Persuasive Thesis

Essential-to-Remember from class today:

A persuasive thesis must have three parts: topic, position, and reason.

Remaining friends with exes is not a good idea when the relationship involved dating violence.

Being friends with an ex is a good idea if you have kids together.

Friendship with an ex is not good because it can lead to awkward social situations.

Notice that none of these thesis statements contain information about the specific example the writer is going to use to prove the thesis. The first place you mention your example should be in the topic sentence of your first body paragraph.