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Period 4: Getting Ready for the
osslt
Thursday, March 31st 2016

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Series of Paragraphs Expressing an Opinion

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Strategies for a Series of Paragraphs
Expressing an Opinion
Write more than a page.
State a clear position (either agree or disagree with the given question. Do NOT take the middle ground.
Write 3-5 paragraphs (introduction, body paragraph(s), conclusion).

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PLAN: Introduction
Step 1: Take a Stance
Write an opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention.
Choose a position (opinion) on the topic: yes/agree, no/disagree. Use the question to help you draft your topic sentence: copy it or reword it to suit your purpose.
List 3 supporting points (reasons that support your opinion)

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PLAN: Body Paragraphs
Step 2: Prove it!
PROOF
Provide two examples for each supporting point . This is called your proof.
ANALYSIS
For each example/proof, provide a comment as to why this proves your supporting point. This is your analysis.

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PLAN: Conclusion
Step 3: Wrap it Up!
Re-state your point of view and summarize your major points.

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It is now time to practice! Teachers please hand out ”Series of Paragraphs Organizer” to your students now.

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The next slide is an example of an OSSLT Series of Paragraphs Writing Task Students, you now have 20 minutes to complete the organizer, using point form notes to respond to the question (topic) asked on the next slide.

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Congratulations!
The next six slides provides you with an example of the type of rough notes you could have developed around the question

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Rough Notes (Colour Legend):
Topic Sentence:
Thesis Statement (answer to the question):
Supporting Point 1: Supporting Point 2: Supporting Point 3:
Example/Proof: Example/Proof: Example/Proof:
Analysis: Analysis: Analysis:
Example/Proof: Example/Proof: Example/Proof:
Analysis: Analysis: Analysis:
Conclusion:
Make sure to use transitional phrases in your body paragraphs to
demonstrate you have moved on to your next example.

12. Transitional Phrases include:
Mississauga Secondary School - Literacy Test Assembly
Transitional Phrases include:
However
Therefore
Next
Usually
On the other hand
Firstly, secondly, thirdly
For example
For instance

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Rough Notes:
Introduction Paragraph Planning:
Answer to the question: No, I do not believe that famous people make good role models for young people.
Topic Sentence: The mishaps and poor choices of today’s famous people are all over the internet, television and newspaper.
Thesis Statement: Today’s famous people are therefore, not good role models for young people.

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Body Paragraph 1
Supporting Point 1: Famous Singers use bad language in their songs.
Example/Proof: Songs are full of offensive language.
Analysis: Young people may think it’s cool to repeat this language and get in trouble.
Example/Proof: Singers promote negative stereotypes and violent behaviour.
Analysis: This promotes ignorance and hate amongst young people.

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Body Paragraph 2:
Supporting Point 2: Famous people participate in irresponsible behaviour.
Example/Proof: Photographed doing irresponsible things like smoking, drinking underage.
Analysis : Young people may think that these actions are cool and try and try and copy of them.
Example/Proof: Famous people go to jail for their actions.
Analysis : If young people copy the actions of celebrities they may be punished similarly. St

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Body Paragraph 3:
Supporting Point 3: Famous people portray an unrealistic body image that young people feel they have to live up too.
Example/Proof: Many famous people are very skinny and thin, which is considered the standard of beauty.
Analysis : This promotes an unhealthy body image, because it suggests that in order to be cool and popular one has to be skinny.
Example/Proof: May think that in order to be beautiful they have to be the same size and look like famous people.
Analysis : Young people may develop eating disorders and low self esteem.

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Conclusion Paragraph
Restate Thesis: The poor choices and inappropriate behaviour of celebrities make them bad role models for today’s young people.
So What? Statement: Because of this, today’s young people should choose role models that display smart choices and behaviour and make a positive impact on society.

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The final five slides is an example of a completed Series of Paragraphs.

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Introductory Paragraph:
The inappropriate actions and poor behaviours of today’s famous people are all over the internet, television and newspaper. Many young people are interested in these celebrities and look up to them. Today’s famous people are therefore, not good role models for young people. This will be demonstrated by examining the offensive language of famous singers, the poor behaviour of celebrities, and the negative body image they promote.

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First Body Paragraph:
To begin with, there are many famous singers that use offensive and poor language in their songs that young people listen to. The young people may think that this language is cool, and choose to use it in school or at their parents. This would get them into trouble, because it is not appropriate to repeat many of the lyrics. Additionally, many famous singers also sing about negative actions and stereotypes against certain people or groups. This only promotes ignorance and hate that young people should be trying to fight against. Therefore, because famous singers use offensive language and sing about negative stereotypes, they are not good role models for young people.

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Second Body Paragraph:
Secondly, famous people often participate in irresponsible actions, which are then publicized in the media and easy for young people to see. Many famous celebrities have been caught doing drugs, smoking or drinking underage. Young people may copy these actions because celebrities are popular and cool. This can cause the young person to get hurt. Furthermore, many celebrities have gotten in trouble with the law because of their poor behaviour. The young people who copy the actions of the celebrities will also be punished. Therefore, famous people are poor role models for young people because their irresponsible actions can be imitated.

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Third Body Paragraph:
Lastly, famous people are poor role models for young people because they promote a poor body image. Many famous people are very skinny and thin. This promotes an unhealthy body image, because it suggests that in order to be cool and popular one has to be skinny. This may cause young people to take on unhealthy eating habits or develop an eating disorder. Moreover, famous people are believed to be the standard of beauty upon which all others are judged. Young people may develop self esteem issues if they do not look like the celebrities. Therefore, famous people are poor role models for young people. This is because they encourage an unattainable standard of what is beautiful which could encourage poor body image issues with young people.

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Conclusion Paragraph:
In conclusion, the celebrities of today make a poor choice as role models for young people. This is because they display inappropriate behaviour, which is publicized in the media. They encourage negative stereotypes and offensive language through their work. Finally, they promote an unhealthy body image to young people because they are considered to be examples of what is considered beautiful. It is important that young people realize that these celebrities do not make good role models. Youth should choose role models that make both a positive impact in both their own, and in others’ lives.

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Remember!
All classes are cancelled on March 31st.
Arrive at 7:45 for a free breakfast!
You must be at school by 8:15.
Bring a pen, pencil and highlighter.

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Remember!
No food or drink in the classroom except water
No cellphones or other electronic devices in the classroom
Leave your bags, backpacks, etc. somewhere safe like your locker or at home

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Good Luck on Thursday, March 31st!