1. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
What to
write?!?
Write On!
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2. Evaluating the Prompt Spend some time on the following steps:
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Evaluating the Prompt Spend some time on the following steps:
Determine the type of essay you are writing.
Explanatory? Explain or inform
Argumentative? Opinion or belief
Narrative? Tell a story
Analyze the topic of the prompt
What exactly are you supposed to write about?
Identify advanced vocabulary
Which words in the prompt should you include in the essay?
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3. Evaluating the Prompt – Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
Thesis Statement
Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
Example
What type of essay are you writing?
Prompt: Modern technology has given us many different inventions such as computers, telephones, and video games. Think about a modern invention you enjoy. Now write to explain why this invention would be hard to live without.
Explain = Explanatory essay
What exactly are you supposed to write about?
Explain why this invention would be hard to live without.
Identify advanced vocabulary:
Modern
Invention
technology
Write On!
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4. Evaluating the Prompt – Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
Thesis Statement
Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
PRACTICE
What type of essay are you writing?
Prompt: Your best friend is having trouble in school and is considering dropping out. Think about the numerous reasons why it is important to finish your education through high school. Now write to present your opinion to your friend about why he or she should stay in school.
Opinion = Argumentative Essay
What exactly are you supposed to write about?
Your opinion about why your friend should stay in school.
Identify advanced vocabulary:
Important
Education
Numerous
Finish
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5. IDEAS Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits Gather your thoughts…
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits
Gather your thoughts…
IDEAS
IDEAS!
Powerful & Significant
Write On!
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6. Evaluating the Prompt – Activate Prior Knowledge
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Activate Prior Knowledge
Read the prompt carefully – make sure
you understand what the subject is.
Write down all thoughts you have about the subject.
Use your own knowledge base to get started.
Write On!
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7. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Use Character Traits
Using the following character traits (or variations) will help make your writing powerful and effective.
Responsibility Honesty
Kindness Self-Control
Respect Tolerance
Citizenship Cooperation
If appropriate, try to incorporate at least one character trait into each essay you write.
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8. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
   
Avoid first person pronouns (most of the time) * I * me * my * we * us * our *
Avoid narrative elements (unless you are writing an Argumentative essay) * 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
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9. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
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!
provided in
Vending machines should be in our school because they make money, offer choices, and hungry.
they
students get
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10. Evaluating the Prompt – Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
Thesis Statement
Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
List Ideas by using Prior Knowledge
& Character Traits
Prompt:
Modern technology has given us many different inventions such as computers, telephones, and video games.
Think about a modern invention you enjoy.
Now write to explain why this invention would be hard to live without.
Modern Inventions
Television
Entertainment
News
Less expensive
Internet
Communicate
Research
Buy/Sell easily
Digital Media
Cheap
Compact
Quality
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11. Evaluating the Prompt – Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
Thesis Statement
Complete these instructions on the worksheet.
List Ideas by using Prior
Knowledge & Character
Traits
Graduation
Job Choice
College
Friendship
Life Skills
Money
Prompt:
Your best friend is having trouble in school and is considering dropping out.
Think about the numerous
reasons why it is important
to finish your education
through high school.
Now write to present your
opinion to your friend about
why he or she should stay
in school.
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12. Evaluating the Prompt – Your Road Map to a Great Essay!
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement
Your Road Map to a Great Essay!
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13. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
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
Write On!
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14. Evaluating the Prompt – Steps to develop Thesis Statements
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Steps to develop Thesis Statements
Evaluate Ideas
Choose best
Incorporate a character trait if you can
Analyze Word Choice
Choose powerful words
Use wording from the prompt
Double Check Conventions
Check spelling and punctuation
Be sure everything agrees in case, tense, and number
Parallel structure is evident
Use time-order transitions to begin each statement
First, Next, Last
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15. Evaluating the Prompt – Example - Thesis Statement:
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Example - Thesis Statement:
Prompt: Modern technology has given us many different inventions such as computers, telephones, and video games. Think about a modern invention you enjoy. Now write to explain why this invention would be hard to live without.
Choose best ideas:
Communicate
Research
Buy/Sell
Thesis Statement:
The Internet would be an invention difficult to live without because it provides a way to communicate easily, research any topic, and buy and sell items.
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16. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Practice
Prompt:
Your best friend is having trouble in school and is considering dropping out.
Think about the numerous reasons why it is important to finish your education through high school.
Now write to present your opinion to your friend about why he or she should stay in school.
Write On!
PowerEd Plans

17. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Detail and Thesis Statements
Stay in School
Job Choice
Career Options
College
Friendship
Life Skills
Money
Financial Gain
Choose 3 best ideas
Modify word choice
Write On!
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18. Evaluating the Prompt –
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.”
Evaluating the Prompt –
Thesis Statement
Write Thesis Statement
Without a doubt, my friend should graduate because earning a high school diploma means greater career options, learning important life skills, and financial gain.
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