vs.

Canadian Identity: multicultural bilingual gender equality aboriginal understanding industrial urban & rural not American tough

 Still arrange juicy details like a story – beginning, middle & end  However, instead of telling a story for this paragraph, we are focusing on explaining the impact a defining moment had on our personal identity.

 The Canadian Identity has been shaped by many different moments in history. One of the most defining moments was the War of This war began when the Americans decided to attack British North America (present-day Canada) in retaliation for the British theft of their ships and sailors. One of the most important people who fought against the Americans was Tecumseh. This Shawnee chief fought with the British as part of his goals of uniting the First Nations Tribes and gaining territory and recognition from both Britain and the USA. Tecumseh and Sir Isaac Brock became friends as they fought the Americans together. British victories at both Fort Detroit and Queenston Heights, own a debt to the valiant efforts of Tecumseh and his Native warriors. Unfortunately, the death of his friend, Sir Isaac Brock, and the American victory on Lake Erie would eventually lead to Tecumseh’s own death before the war ended. Tecumseh had a strong impact on the Canadian Identity. His efforts helped to force the American invaders back and kept Canada independent from the United States. Because he was recognized as a hero, he also started the process of aboriginal understanding and multiculturalism in Canada. In Canada, we know the value of different cultures working together because of the example Tecumseh and Brock were able to set during the War of It is clear that this war, and the heroic people fighting it, like Tecumseh, was a very defining moment for the Canadian Identity.

 Topic sentence  introduces the main ideas of the paragraph  War of 1812  Canadian Identity  Defining moment  similar, but not the same as, the concluding sentence

The Canadian Identity has been shaped by many different moments in history. One of the most defining moments was the War of 1812.

 Idea #1 – The beginning: sets up a specific battle or person; this idea focuses on information found under the questions:  Why is this person fighting?  Why are they fighting here?

This war began when the Americans decided to attack British North America (present-day Canada) in retaliation for the British theft of their ships and sailors. One of the most important people who fought against the Americans was Tecumseh. This Shawnee chief fought with the British as part of his goals of uniting the First Nations Tribes and gaining territory and recognition from both Britain and the USA.

 Idea #2 – The middle: this idea is focused on the specific information about the person and/or battle; answers:  What did they achieve?  How was it won?

Tecumseh and Sir Isaac Brock became friends as they fought the Americans together. British victories at both Fort Detroit and Queenston Heights, own a debt to the valiant efforts of Tecumseh and his Native warriors. Unfortunately, the death of his friend, Sir Isaac Brock, and the American victory on Lake Erie would eventually lead to Tecumseh’s own death before the war ended.

 Idea #3- The end: this idea reflects on the Canadian Identity and how the people and battles of 1812 impacted it; answers:  What is the legacy?  What aspect of the Canadian identity is important?

Tecumseh had a strong impact on the Canadian Identity. His efforts helped to force the American invaders back and kept Canada independent from the United States. Because he was recognized as a hero, he also started the process of aboriginal understanding and multiculturalism in Canada. In Canada, we know the value of different cultures working together because of the example Tecumseh and Brock were able to set during the War of 1812.

 Concluding sentence – wraps up the ideas of the paragraph; returns to:  Canadian identity  Specific person/battle  Defining moment  Similar, but not the same as the topic sentence

 It is clear that this war, and the heroic people fighting it, like Tecumseh, was a very defining moment for the Canadian Identity.