Survival

Hello! We're going to try a Fast Write today! This is a pre-reading strategy for you to think about your prior knowledge--what you already know--on a topic.

Guidelines:

1. Start a new page in your journal. Write the topic: survival.
2. Explore your thinking through writing about the following idea: the human will and what it takes to survive harsh environments
3. DO NOT STOP WRITING. If you get stuck, rewrite a phrase or word until a new idea pops into your head.
4. You will write for roughly 6 minutes.


MODEL: Think of a topic for me to fast write on so I can model this activity.

Getting Creative

Some groups seem to understand the creative edge of this assignment while others are still struggling. And that's okay!

Here are some ideas to get you going in you're stuck:


Think of your essay as an actual structure: Give us a virtual tour of your essay-- "the thesis statement foundation is really quite impressive. It allows the rest of the structure to stand strong, with a logical layout. Take a look: (and then you'd share your thesis, perhaps written on a picture of a basement floor

Think of your essay as an object/invention, completely made-up or real: Talk about your essay's special features and functions. This option most closely resembles the model I presented to you in class. 

Get a little zany:Imagine your essay as a fascinating creature --"This creature has really defined features (topic sentences), and as a result, you can learn a great deal about what this creature is capable of. Take a look: (and then you might have a grizzly picture of an eyeball, with one of your topic sentences etched in)


***If it helps, you don't even have to mention the structural parts (thesis statement, conclusion, topic sentence etc.). Just be sure to have cue cards  that are held up to let the audience in on what you're referencing.

HW: Complete sample essay "Structure-search" (what you started in class)

Lab day

Happy Friday! We're in the lab today because I got the feeling that many of the essays need to be assembled, especially if you worked on parts separately.

Also, if you don't need the computers, use this time to plan out how you will present your understanding of essays. I brought craft supplies, sort of...

I want a copy of your essay before you leave. I want to give feedback on them.

I'm looking to start presentations on Tuesday. If this class time isn't used wisely, perhaps we'll start Monday....

HW (unless you're in section 8-2): Write a script for your role (essay manager, lawyer, public relations) in the presentation. Take a look at my model below:


Speaking as the essay manager, Kirby Sutherland

SPEAKING: I wanna speak to you briefly about the filing system we’ve installed inside this essay, otherwise known as the thesis statement:

(VISUAL): Schools should continue using traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule. There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling: it has no positive effects on education, it adds to costs, and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation. 

SPEAKING:This thesis statement acts a filing system as it neatly lays out a strong focus for each of the 3 body paragraphs (note to self: using the visual, demonstrate how each reason will be assigned to a body paragraph)

Workshop for Dress-Up Essay Report

Review each others' work from last night by using the following format:

Praise: This is what I really liked about your writing (What I really liked about your work was. . . )
Question: Here is a question or questions you had about their work (Something I had questions about was...)
Polish: Here are suggestions that could make the writing even better in the future (I wonder what would happen if. . . )

Class brainstorm: What do they mean?
Organization and Clarity: What does this mean for a well-written essay? what needs to be there?
Development: what does this mean for a well-written essay? what needs to be there?
Language use and engagement: same thing...


We'll review the presentation sheet together toward the end of class, then you can break off into teams and start brainstorming who is going to get what roles and how to attack your presentation (consider use of visuals, dress, and possibly other forms of media to help convey your point)

I'm starting to get the feeling that these presentations will start a bit later than Thursday. That's okay! It's worth it. Stay tuned!


HW: In journals, write a HARD-HITTING conclusion that leaves a LASTING impression on your reader.

Mini-Lesson: Essay Structure

Mr. Essay has been looking for someone to write him for a long while. Supposedly, you are a highly skilled of team of professionals built for such a task.  Your task will be to dazzle Mr. Essay and his board of advisees on Thursday of this week (unless Mr. Essay's busy schedule dictates otherwise):

Presenters: Essay Manager (organization-is there a thesis, topic sentences)
                  Essay Lawyer (providing convincing evidence)
                  Public Relations Director (being clear, engaging)


Preparing for your Dress-Up Essay report will require a bit of essay structure review. Let's look at a sample.

Review on the parts of an essay:

Introductions:

- Introductions are supposed to be EXCITING. The reason? To hook in your reader.

-The first sentence or two (opening statement) should introduce the topic/issue in an interesting way The reason? To interest your reader, but to also establish a focus. Without this, your essay’s purpose may be blurry at first.

-A descriptive thesis statement is present—your argument and reasons for arguing in such a way (in the case of a persuasive essay, your claim or position on the issue) The reason? Without this, there is no purpose

-The importance of your thesis—what do we miss out on by not buying your argument? Almost like a warning. The reason? We want to convince our reader that what’s about to follow is indeed worth their time.

Body Paragraphs:

-Body paragraphs include a topic sentence (related to your thesis statement) The reason?  It gives your reader an idea or direction of where you’re going

-Body paragraphs recall the specific reasons that you noted in your intro, but there main job is to expand and elaborate them, using explanation and examples. The reason? To support your claim with evidence.

-Body paragraphs will often present opposing viewpoints (counterclaims), and then explain why your position is still more valuable. The reason? To anticipate questions and issues that arise in the reader’s mind as they try to see your point of view. It helps solidify your position as the more reasonable option.

-Body paragraphs conclude with a statement that recalls main idea for that paragraph.

Conclusions:

-restate your thesis or main argument, but in an exciting and memorable way. The reason? To give the reader one last strong impression that your position on a given issue is most worthy of consideration.

HW: In your journals: draft an introduction and one body paragraph for the iissue you decided on as as group. Be ready to share your work with your groups.

Components of Persuasive Writing

Structure:

Claim-states  the writer's position on an arguable issue.

Five parts To Persuasive Writing:

1. An issue
2. A claim or arguable opinion about that issue
3. Plausible reasons and relevant evidence to support your claim--this usually involves explanations
4. Counterclaims
5.  After considering opposing viewpoints, an ongoing explanation of why you stand by your claim.

Facts, personal opinions, and claims

As indicated before, all persuasive writing is opinionated, but not all opinions take a clear position on an issue. For example, you might write that getting up early for school is unhealthy. This is a valid personal opinion, but it is not offering your reader a purpose for buying your idea; what type of change are you looking for? Consider this: Schools should start classes later in the morning. What's the difference?


HW: Brainstorm a list of 5-6 issues that could work for topics in a persuasive speech. Make sure they are topics you care about.

Power of Persuasion: When to persuade

Notebook: Persuasion is influencing someone or trying to get someone to think, believe, or act in a particular way.



When to persuade: Vote with your feet

(start by the windows)

Windows: Unnecessary to use persuasion

Middle of room: Unsure

Toward Expectations wall: Persuasion is needed.


Persuasion assumes the need to give an opinion, to point something out, or to broaden an individual's awareness, or to change someone's mind. Persuasion presents ideas or issues that educated people can and do view differently, and the use of persuasion suggests that appropriate arguments with strong examples and relevant evidence can influence person in some way, or at least allow him/her to recognize the writer's point of view.

So, if our purpose is to influence others when writing persuasively, we DO NOT need to use persuasion when there is already widespread agreement about a situation or issue.

The Power of Persuasion: What persuades?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What makes for worthy persuasion in our society?

What Persuades?

1. List times during the last week or so you encountered persuasion--times when either someone tried to persuade you in some way, or when you tried to persuade someone else in some way.



2. Let's look at our chart: Can you identify which techniques are good examples of persuasion? Which are bad?

Notes: some types of persuasion--threatening, begging, whining, crying, throwing tantrums, holding your breath until your face turns blue--are rather immature and not worthy of our consideration, even if they sometimes work.

Please write brief responses to each of the following aspects of persuasion:

Observe it: What can persuasion do?

Classify it: What kinds are there? What varieties or forms does it come in?

Analyze it: What is persuasion made of? How is it done? What are the parts? What does it take to persuade you of something?

Defend it: What's good about persuasion?

Trash it: What's bad about it?

Relate to it: What persuades you?

Define it: What is persuasive? What isn't persuasive?




**SHARE: in your groups, share your responses, adding to or clarifying your initial responses. After 10 minutes I will share

-I will pass out a sheet of large paper

-Draw a line down the middle:

On one half: Write a clear definition of what persuasion is (what is the main goal of persuasion)?

On the other half: draw images that represent kinds or different types of persuasion--where we encounter it or engage in it ourselves (ex: advertisements might be one of your images)