A winner of the Newberry Medal Out of the Dust A winner of the Newberry Medal By karen hesse

A couple of weeks ago, we… . Analyzed a writing prompt Planned a response Gathered textual evidence to include in our response 3

Today, we will… Review those ideas and add to them We are learning to write an essay.

First, some context… What is a writing prompt? . What is a writing prompt? A topic to help you start jotting down ideas for writing an essay It is intended to send your mind on a creative journey and inspire your creative energy. 3

First, some context… What is a response? . What is a response? An essay in which we answer the writing prompt using the model for making and developing a claim It contains an introduction, three reasons (points), and a conclusion. 3

First, some context… What is textual evidence? . What is textual evidence? statements taken directly from the text to back up our opinion written word-for-word quotation marks around it 3

defend A refresher… We have learned this in the past: My opinion is of no value if I cannot ____________ it. 3 defend

The Howard Dean Scream: 2004 Democratic Primary A refresher… My opinion is of no value if I cannot defend it. 3 The Howard Dean Scream: 2004 Democratic Primary

A refresher… What were the pre-conceived notions about Howard Dean? . Where did Howard Dean place in the Iowa primary election? How did you feel about his yell? Why do you think the general public “wrote him off” as a candidate? 3

And now…OUR writing prompt ANALYZE THE QUESTION. We can’t just answer it in any way we please (like political candidates). We must first make sure we truly know what it is asking. For what is it asking? Underline key words. . How many parts are there? . What type of writing is required? . What textual evidence is needed?

And now…OUR writing prompt ANALYZE THE QUESTION. For what is it asking? Underline key words. .

And now…OUR writing prompt ANALYZE THE QUESTION. How many parts are there? .

And now…OUR writing prompt ANALYZE THE QUESTION. What type of writing is required? . Am I being asked to tell a story? Am I being asked to provide a series of facts? Am I being asked to write an opinion? SO I WILL WRITE AN ARGUMENT . NO NO YES

And now…OUR writing prompt ANALYZE THE QUESTION. What type of evidence will I need to include? . Evidence that the dust is affecting Billie Jo’s family Evidence that the dust is affecting other members of the community .

How do we set up our essay? Just like we did with our claims a couple of weeks ago

3 Developing My Claim

Let’s Practice! CLAIM: I believe ________________________________ . One reason I believe this is ____________________________ Now say a little more! Another reason I believe this is _________________________ Additionally, I believe that _____________________________ In Conclusion, ____(restate the claim in different words)___ 3

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Carry On… Another word for claim is thesis statement. The thesis statement will be the main idea of your essay. You entire essay will be built around it. It is usually the last sentence of the first paragraph. 3

Let’s Relate it to Songs… . 3

Let’s Relate it to Songs… Your thesis statement should be: Specific Original Defensible Arguable 3

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