Writing Workshop: Courage & heroism EFFECTIVELY Reading, Gathering Information, and Planning for an Explanatory Response

Learning Goals: Engage in the writing process Students will read, gather evidence & plan for wriitng Students will be able to write explanatory essay with clear reasons and relevant evidence. Cite several pieces of evidence to support analysis of what text says Produce clear and coherent writing in which development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, style, and audience.

Understanding the Rubric is Key to Achieving a High Score HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BEFORE?!?! Purpose, Focus, and Organization Evidence and Elaboration Conventions

Purpose, Focus, and Organization Clear controlling idea (if explanatory) Connections between ideas & support (Transitions at beginning of body paragraphs and internal transitions) Logical progression of ideas (Topic Sentence in body paragraphs & sum it up) Appropriate style & tone

Evidence and Elaboration Relevant, smoothly integrated, & well-cited evidence Effective elaboration (Explain ~Your analysis. DO NOT RESTATE) Precise language & domain-specific vocabulary

Conventions Adequate Convention Use No patterns of errors, if any Adequate use of punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, & spelling

4 –Exemplary: The student fully demonstrates the indicators in the category. 3 –Proficient: The student mostly demonstrates the indicators in the category. 2 –Emerging: The student partially demonstrates the indicators of the category. 1 – Unsatisfactory: The student minimally demonstrates the indicators of the category. U – Not scorable: The student does not provide enough information for the paper to be scored, or the student’s writing is illegible.

Passage Set and Prompt at a Glance: Where is the prompt located? It will be in the back of the passage set. Always go there first. What should I do? Read the prompt and underline or highlight key words that help you understand the topic and what you must do to answer the question. What do I do next? Scan the passages. Notice their titles, length, etc. Begin read to text mark + annotate, looking for significant details that will help you answer the question.

Let’s Try it: Highlight only the key words in the writing prompt: Possible Key Words: - what it means to be courageous - Use evidence from multiple sources - Avoid overly relying on one source - Multi-paragraph essay

Scan the Titles: Three texts: - Source 1: An Act of Courage - Source 2: Monuments Men Foundation - Source 3: 2014 International Women of Courage

Planning is Key Explanatory Decide your controlling idea (thesis) Pull evidence ~ underline, star line numbers, etc. Make a quick outline

Just a quick outline II. Reason 1 Evidence & Analysis III. Reason 2 I. Controlling idea (restate prompt) II. Reason 1 Evidence & Analysis III. Reason 2 Reason 3 V. Conclusion

Draft Your Response Introduction If you use a lead, it must be connected to your controlling ideas. Give background information if needed. State controlling idea

Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs must have a topic sentence to include a reason for position. The evidence pulled should prove/support your reasons. Don’t forget to elaborate by explaining the evidence. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PARAGRAPH and essay. DON’T FORGET TRANSITION WORDS!

Conclusion Remind the reader of the controlling idea. You may remind the reader of your three reasons or not. Explanatory - Relate to the lead, address the controlling idea in a new way. End with final thought

Extra Time? Take time to edit and revise. Look for dead words. Add transitions. Look for common spelling mistakes or punctuation errors.

Time to Shine

Final Tips for Explanatory Writing Analyze the prompt – you must restate the prompt to create a controlling idea for your paper Body paragraphs MUST begin with a Topic Statement Organization (paragraphs) Transitions – signal the reader. Do not forget internal transitions State evidence and clearly give an analysis or explain the inferred meaning. EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER. Many of your papers simply restated what the source material stated. Connect your evidence to the topic sentences. Clear summarizing sentence

Time for Reflection: Think about your Character Analysis Essay for Zebra or the book report? What questions or concerns do you have about planning or drafting?

Take a look at a sample