PowerEd Writing © 2011 Evaluating the Prompt What to write about… Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Evaluating the Prompt Spend some time on the following steps: What type of essay are you writing? – Expository? Explain – Persuasive? Convince or persuade What exactly are you supposed to write about? Identify advanced vocabulary – Which words from the prompt should you include in your essay? Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Example: Prompt: Many people take great pride in exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen. Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen. Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen. Write On! What type of essay are you writing? Explain = Expository essay What exactly are you supposed to write about? Exhibit Characteristics Citizen Explain what makes a person a good citizen. Identify advanced vocabulary:

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Practice: Prompt: Many people are dog- lovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets. Think about which pet you think is better. Now write to persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet. Write On! What type of essay are you writing? Persuade= Persuasive essay What exactly are you supposed to write about? Prefer Pet Animal Persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet. Identify advanced vocabulary:

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Gather your thoughts… IDEAS IDEAS! Write On! Powerful & Significant

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Activate Prior Knowledge After reading the prompt, write down all the thoughts you have about the subject. Use your own knowledge base to get you started. Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Use Character Traits Using the following character traits (or variations) will help make your writing powerful and effective. – Responsibility / Responsible – Respect / Respectful – Kindness / Kind – Citizenship / Citizen – Honesty / Honest – Self-Control – Tolerance / Tolerant – Cooperation / Cooperate Try to incorporate at least one character trait into each essay you write. Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 List ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Prompt: Many people take great pride in exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen. Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen. Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen. Write On! Good Citizen Obeys rules & laws Helps others Honest Respectful kindness Pick up trash Respect the Environment

PowerEd Writing © 2011 List ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Write On! Cats Calming Cuddly Friendly Playful Easy to care for Fish Quiet Provide a peaceful environment Easy care Dog Playful Loyal Protector Man’s best friend Active Prompt: Many people are dog- lovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets. Think about which pet you think is better. Now write to persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet.

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Thesis Statements Your road map to a great essay! Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Thesis Statements Thesis Statement Last sentence in introduction Answers question posed in prompt Clear and to the point Prepares reader for rest of essay Can stand on its own

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Important Facts about Thesis Statements Avoid first person personal pronouns (most of the time) * I * me * my * we * us * our * Avoid narrative elements: * I think * I believe * I want * I should * My reasons * My opinion Avoid using the words you, you’re, your (anywhere in the essay!) Do not “speak” to the reader Avoid abbreviations, symbols, or “IM talk” USE capital letters and commas correctly List reasons in a standard thesis: strongest, weak, strong Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Important Facts about Thesis Statements Capitalize first word of a new sentence and proper nouns Never place a comma before or after because Commas in a series for reasons (a, b, conjunction c) Always check your thesis for agreement and revise! Vending machines should be in our school because they make money, offer choices, and hungry. Write On! provided in S they students get

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Steps to develop Thesis Statement Evaluate ideas – Choose the best ideas – Incorporate a character trait Analyze word choice – Choose powerful words – Use wording from prompt Write On! Kick it up! Will an implied thesis work for your style? Decide which type of thesis will flow with your writing.

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Standard & Implied Thesis Statements Write On! Kick it up! Will an implied thesis work for your style? A Standard Thesis Statement lists the main ideas, which will make up the body of the essay, right in the statement. An Implied Thesis Statement alludes to the ideas which will follow, but it does not list them in the statement.

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Example: Prompt: Many people take great pride in exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen. Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen. Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen. Choose best ideas: Obeys rules/laws Helps others in community Show respect Write On! Thesis Statement: Being a good citizen means demonstrating obedience for laws, respect, and cooperation within one’s community. Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement: Since we are all part of society, it is imperative to demonstrate the qualities of an upstanding citizen.

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Writing an Implied Thesis Statement Before you write an implied thesis, make sure to evaluate and choose the best ideas. Decide on the main focus of the essay. For a persuasive essay, note an opposing viewpoint. Follow the formula: LB, S when writing an implied thesis statement. Write On! Kick it up! Before writing, let’s review the formula: LB, S

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Writing an LB, S An LB, S is a Left Branch (subordinate clause) followed by a complete sentence. A subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and is followed by a subject and a verb. Although rock music is popular A subordinate clause does NOT make sense by itself. Although rock music is popular, I prefer to submerge myself in the melodies of classical music.

PowerEd Writing © 2011 IMPORTANT: You need to be able to recognize subordinating conjunctions. since as because before after until so that even though unlessalthough when while

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Writing a Persuasive Implied Thesis When you are writing a persuasive essay, an implied thesis statement will allow you to address an opposing viewpoint but place the focus on your point. Format the “left branch” to address the opposing viewpoint. While backpack searches may seem like an invasion of privacy, the safety of students, faculty, and staff is the primary concern. Kick it up! Will an implied thesis work for your style?

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Practice: Prompt: Many people are dog-lovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets. Think about which pet you think is better. Now write to persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet. Write On!

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Thesis Statements Dogs are the Best Pet Loyal Loyal companion PlayfulProtector Guardian Man’s Best Friend Active Choose 3 best ideas Modify word choice

PowerEd Writing © 2011 Write Thesis Statement Without a doubt, a dog makes the best pet because it is a loyal companion, a guardian, and always active. Write On! Kick it up! Will an implied thesis work for your style? Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement: Although some people feel a cat is the best pet, a dog truly makes the ultimate companion.