Hooks and Thesis Statements

Hooks What are hooks? Get readers attention in the first sentence What kind of hooks are there? Questions Facts/Statistics/Statements Something that evokes controversy Keywords -> Computers threaten

Hooks Questions Have you ever felt like a total outsider? Are you afraid of the dark? INTERESTING Facts/Statistics Each year Disneyland uses over 5,000 gallons of paint to maintain the clean appearance of the park. Forty-eight percent of people report lying awake at night due to stress.

HOOKS Evokes Controversy Prayer should be allowed in public schools. Keywords Have you ever considered… that computers threaten democracy?

Thesis Statements What are they? Difference between a topic and a thesis statement? Topic: subject of the essay Thesis Statement: the writers position about the topic Look at the last two sentences of the introduction to “Against E-Voting” (pg. 2) Why isn’t the second to last sentence a thesis statement?

Thesis statements Example Topic subject of your essay Controlling Idea what you want to say about the subject Page 5 in your book My favorite author is Bryce Courtenay because he creates vivid worlds with realistic characters.

Peer Editing Not editing for grammar. Editing for content. Be polite and honest! Listen to the entire piece before commenting on any section. Don’t interrupt.

Peer Editor WRITER 1.Read your paragraph out loud to your partner. 2.Put it down when you are finished. EDITOR 1.Give praise for what works. Be specific. 2.Give suggestions for revision. Be specific. 3.Listen for: 1.Hook (is it effective?) 2.Background Info 3.Thesis Statement (is it clear what the paper will be about?) 4.Overall: Is it interesting? Is it organized?

Homework Revise your introduction Add any information/content that your editor recommended. Bring another draft of your introduction to class on Thursday. Mind Map of Essay Create a mind map of your essay. Bring it to class on Thursday