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First, you need a topic… You will be a given a “prompt” to write about. Sometimes you will be given a choice of prompts. You will also be told how much time you have and how long your essay needs to be. What do I need to write about?

Next, what will you do with your topic?  You need to think it over and decide:  Purpose: Why am I writing this? This is a “persuasive” essay, so you are writing it to get somebody to think like you do.  Audience: Who am I writing this for? You are writing for an English writing instructor in class or the SOL test grade. So use formal writing.  Format: What structure should my essay have? You are usually writing the standard 5 paragraph persuasive essay. Hmmmm…

Now, you have to plan your essay Prewriting: What ideas do I have? Now you have to come up with some ideas by brainstorming, clustering, or free writing. First, you think them up and then put them on paper. Organizing: What order do I put my ideas in? You can put your ideas in spatial order like top to bottom, or chronological order as in a time line, or in order of importance with the most important idea last so the reader is left with your strongest idea. Checkmate!

What is the structural design of my essay? The design of the 5 paragraph essay is quite simple: 1.The Introduction with a strong lead-in, both sides of the issue, your thesis statement telling your side of the issue and the reasons that support your thesis. 2.Your well-elaborated first reason with specific examples. 3.Your well-elaborated second reason with specific examples. 4.Your well-elaborated third reason with specific examples. 5.The Conclusion where you restate your thesis and your 3 reasons with a strong, decisive closing statement. Be a writing architect!

Now you are ready to write! First draft: Since this is the first time you are writing, it does not have to be perfect.The main thing you want to do is get your ideas on paper in the proper essay format. You can do the fine tuning in the… First draft: Since this is the first time you are writing, it does not have to be perfect.The main thing you want to do is get your ideas on paper in the proper essay format. You can do the fine tuning in the… Revision: Now the real writing starts. Steven King says you don’t start writing until you start revising. Look over your essay for errors, and also for what you can say better than before! Revision: Now the real writing starts. Steven King says you don’t start writing until you start revising. Look over your essay for errors, and also for what you can say better than before! “I am beyond writer’s cramp.”

And keep writing…then submit it! Final Draft: This is where it all comes together when you get your essay to be as “good as it gets.” But, before you hand it in, proofread it one last time to be sure it’s just the way you want it to be, then submit it. “There, I’m done!”

A wireless laptop should be a basic classroom tool for every 21 st century high school student. Take your stand. Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Wrap-up The center box states your position. Three boxes tell reasons why. The last box is the wrap-up. detail Tell me more. One reason, Also, In addition, In summary,,

4 Square+3+T+V+E ExplanationExamplesExperience Remember to pick only one detail from each of the three boxes to Elaborate.

A wireless laptop should be a basic classroom tool for every 21 st century high school student. Take your stand. Cost effective Career training Motivate Wrap-up The center box states your position. Three boxes tell reasons why. The last box is the wrap-up. Online textbooks/ Assessments feedback Conservation Multi- sensory Interactive Cutting edge Techn. Timely Higher skills Tell me more. One reason, Also, In addition, In summary,,

When was the last time that you spent a day without coming into contact with a computer-related device? You wake up in a climate controlled room, regulated by a pre-set computerized thermostat. The tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air because last night you programmed your Mr. Coffee to perk precisely thirty minutes before your alarm shrilly rang brrrrrring brrrrrrrring at 6:05. You hit a button on your home computer, and instantaneously you learn the temperature and weather conditions, traffic patterns, scheduled activities, and correspondences for the day. You may even download and print out your lessons! Later, you plan to enter your students’ attendance and grades into a computer at school. For you, as for your students, the computer has become an integral part of your life. A wireless laptop for every student is as vital as a number 2 pencil. Every high school student must have this valuable resource as part of their school supplies because it is cost effective, provides valuable career training, and is highly motivational by today’s multi-sensory visually-orientated global student. Although there is an upfront cost initially, in the long run a wireless laptop is a cost effective educational tool. Hook Stand Thesis Statement Box 1

Information in textbooks can become outdated while Internet websites can be updated with minimal effort. There are thousands of online textbooks that can be accessed in minutes. Websites housing online textbooks in every subject from mathematics to Shakespeare to economics are readily available. Most online texts can be translated into several languages using Babelfish for ELL students. Assessments, given to students using technology, can offer teacher and students immediate and accurate feedback. Imagine the savings in paper, toner, and copy costs if students and teachers used more technology! In addition, technology provides valuable and authentic career training for students. Students can collaborate on assignments instantly with peers via . Can you think of a job today that does not use ? Teachers can develop technology-supported engaging learning projects that enable students to solve real-world problems, retrieve information from online resources, and connect with experts. High-school students can develop a mock technology company and use the Internet, scanners, and presentation software to plan and deliver speeches to stockholders. Evidence indicates that when used effectively, "technology applications can support higher-order thinking by engaging students in authentic, complex tasks within collaborative learning contexts" (Means, Blando, Olson, Middleton, Morocco, Remz & Zorfass, 1993). E Box 2 E

Most important of all, technology is highly motivating to the 21st century multi-media oriented student. Students can prepare and present homework or project work using multimedia such as power point, charts and graphs, music or video files. Using the students’ preferred learning styles, teachers can use alternate assessments. Special needs and limited English students may be able to more fully participate in mainstream classes using the power of multi-sensory presentation of content. Students can maintain an ongoing electronic portfolio of work that can go with the student from grade to grade or to a different school. High school students may create a multi-media portfolio for work prospects or application to higher education. What could be more engaging to a student? Such innovations are “cutting edge” in education and are appearing throughout the country. Many colleges, such as the University of Tennessee, are requiring education majors to create an online multi-media portfolio. The useful portfolios are looked upon by students with pride and a sense of accomplishment. In conclusion, a laptop computer is a vital tool in education today. Putting a laptop in the hands of our high school students is not only preparing them for a career and life, but it is also motivating. Although the initial investment may be costly, this compact technology will prove to be cost effective in the long run. No student preparing to be a productive member of our technological society should be without one! What would your life be like tomorrow if technology was eliminated along with Mr. Coffee and ? Box 3 E Wrap Up Punch