Do Now: Think of a time you were “stuck” when writing a paper. What steps or strategies do you think may have helped you?

  Video Video  Steps we can take to avoid being like Spongebob… The pain of writing an essay

  1. Determine the question being asked  2. Actively read the documents, taking notes of the main idea  3. Develop a thesis based on the documents and the question  4. Identify the evidence you will use to support your thesis  5. Develop an outline which includes an opening (thesis), evidential body, and closing that summarizes your argument 5 steps for evidence based writing

  How will you answer the question being asked?  What evidence is there to support your thesis?  How will you organize your presentation of the evidence?  How will you sum up your argument in the closing? Developing an argument



 Become familiar with organizers such as this one. Organize your outline into a similar structure before writing.

  Never use 1 st person.  Never write “In this essay.”  Never write “In my opinion” or “I think.” It’s redundant.  Do not use the general you. Use one instead.  Avoid using this or that as a subject (i.e., This made an enormous difference ). It is better to be more specific: (i.e., This new development made an enormous difference ). Style

  When you first discuss an author or historical figure, use first and last name. After this, you are free to use last name only. Do not, however, refer to historical figures by their first name; e.g., Karl Marx should be referred to as Marx, rather than Karl. This rule applies for women as well as men. Emily Dickinson should be called Dickinson rather than Mrs. Dickinson. Using names- Style

  Introduce quoted material.  As esteemed author and writer John Smith writes in his 1776 memoir, ‘I was a ….’  This is clearly the case when Smith writes…  Examples or quotations s hould not, however, be introduced as follows: On page five it says… or In the book it says… Quotes and style

  List three strategies in structure or style you will utilize in your next evidence based writing task. Exit reflection