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z2012-2013 9th Essays

Essay Minimum Requirements
  1. MLA Format
  2. Double Spaced
  3. 12 point Times Roman
  4. 1.5 pages 
  5. Attention grabbing title specific to the paper
  6. Grade level punctuation (capitals, end punctuation, spacing, apostrophes, ietc.)
  7. Grade level grammar and spelling (no run-on sentences, fragments, accurate word choice, pronoun consistency, verb tense consistency)
  8. Strong introductory paragraphs with a hook that makes the reader want more
  9. Strong concluding paragraph that synthesizes the information in the essay and leaves the reader with a "so what"
Double Check
  • Title should have no punctuation
  • Correct words in title capitalized
  • Margins left aligned
  • Paragraphs indented
  • Little "i's" capitalized
  • Proper nouns capitalized
  • individual voice
  • imagery (filled with pictures that appealed to the five senses) 
  • details!!!


#7 Essay (Argument)Due 2/8/2013
Frontload: 
Argument Lexicon
Rhetoric (n): the art of discourse; exaggeration, bombast, effective language (Aristotle--the available means of persuasion; Plato--
Persuasive Appeals: ethos, pathos, logos 
Explicit/Implicit
Primary/secondary sources
Cite/IntextCitation/Attributive Tag
Works Cited Page
Brainstorm Controversial Topics that can be argued logically (avoid emotional appeals)

Assignment:
Write a 6-part (paragraph) Argument essay on a controversial issue on which you do not yet have a bias. Look for reliable, valid, credible sources, read, research,, and take a stand on one side of the issue or the other. Support your stance with evidence from your research (three reasons, each reason backed with three evidences). Needs a Works Cited page, MLA format, with three credible sources (no Wikipedia or blogs, etc.)

Common Core Objectives in Essay #7: 
Reading 9.1 Cite (strong and thorough) textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says (explicitly and implicitly, through inference, in the text)
Reading 9.2 Provide an objective summary of the text.
Reading 9.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text.
Reading 9.6 Analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.
Reading 9.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text.
Reading 9.8 Assess whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient
Reading 9.8 Identify false statements and fallacious reasoning
Writing 9.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Writing 9.2 Write informative/explanatory text to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Writing 9.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Writing 9.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Writing 9.5 Focus on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. 
Writing 9.5 Edit for conventions. Should demonstrate command of 9th grade language standards
Writing 9.7 Conduct short and sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem.
Writing 9.7 Narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate.
Writing  9.7 Synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Writing 9.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively.
Writing 9.8 Assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Writing 9.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Writing 9.10 Write routinely over extended time frame (time for research, reflection, and revision). 
Literacy Conventions 9.2a  Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Literacy Conventions 9.2c Spell correctly.
Literacy Conventions 9.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts (formal essays use formal language)
Literacy Conventions 9.3a Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook) appropriate for the discipline and writing type.


Objectives/I Can:
I know the difference between a primary and secondary source.
I can identify reliable/credible sources that have evidences for a given side of a controversial issue.
I can use in-text attributive tags and citations that give credit to the appropriate source (author/speaker). 
I can write a thesis statement (with three reasons and three evidences for each reason) that clearly identifies/supports my position on the topic.
I can write an intro to the argument that gets the reader's attention (a hook)
I can expand an evidence (reason) into a well-developed paragraph with at least three supports (details/examples)
I can write a well-developed concession (counter-claim)
I can write a concluding paragraph using analysis, text-to-self connections, synthesizing information; identifying the "so what" of an argument
I can write an effective, grade-level, 6-part Argument essay following MLA format
I can make a Works Cited page with a minimum of 3 credible sources, cited in MLA format.

Format/Organization
Paragraph #1) Claim/Thesis Statement with three reasons why my position is "correct" and an attention-getting hook
Paragraph #2) Develop evidence #1 using a minimum of three details/examples/evidences
Paragraph #3) Develop evidence #2 using a minimum of three details/examples/evidences
Paragraph #4) Develop evidence #3 using a minimum of three details/examples/evidences
Paragraph #5) Concession/Counter-claim (the other side of the issue)
Paragraph #6) Conclusion--use analysis, connections, restate, share opinion, identify the "so what" of the essay
MLA formatted Works Cited page with three credible sources


#6 Essay (Compare/Contrast) Due 1/8/2013 
Common Core Objectives: 
Writing ELA 9.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Assignment:
Compare and contrast The Christmas Box novel with the movie in an in-class 5-part essay. 

Objectives/I Can:
Use a prewrite (Plot Graph and Venn diagram) to respond thoughtfully and competently to literature in a grade-level, in-class 5-part essay comparing/contrasting literature with media. 
Use words that signal to the reader that the internal structure of your essay is compare and contrast.
Effectively define, identify, and explore the theme of a specific text in an essay. 

Format/Outline
Part/Paragraph #1) Intro including hook, title, author, theme
Part/Paragraph #2) About the book
Part/Paragraph #3)  how the book and the move are similar
Part/Paragraph  #4)  how the book and the movie are different
Part/Paragraph #5) well-developed conclusion using elements such as reiteration, analysis, so-what?, text-to-self, opinion (mandatory)

Signal Words
alike
also
equally
however
just as
in a like manner
in comparison
in contrast
likewise
similarly
too
#5 Essay (Persuasive) due 11/12/12
Persuasion


Noun            The action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe something:
to prevail on (a person) to so something by advising or urging 

"In a persuasive essay, you pick one side of an argument and argue it with a goal
of trying to convince others to agree. In a personal opinion essay,
you state your opinion and use evidence/examples to show why
it is your opinion, but your goal is not to convince others."
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=324466

  • Persuasion is symbolic, utilizing words, images, sounds, etc
  • It involves a deliberate attempt to influence others
Common Core Objectives: 
Writing ELA 9.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Writing ELA 9.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Writing ELA 9.5 Focus on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. 
Writing ELA 9.5 Edit for convention. Should demonstrate command of 9th grade language standards

Topic: Controversial issue that has at least two perspectives (it can be an ethical dilemma)
Prewrite: Write a claim with three evidences (all in one concise, coherent sentence); outline a 6-paragraph essay
Assignment:  Write a 1.5 page, 6-part persuasive essay, meeting minimum criteria, on a controversial topic
Objectives/I Can:
    Recognize both sides of an issue by seeing it in terms of a "spectrum" of thought vs. opposing dichotomies (either/or). 
    Write a concise, coherent claim with three evidences
    Expand an evidence (reason) into a well-developed paragraph with at least three supports (details/examples)
    Write a well-developed concession (counter-claim)
    Write a concluding paragraph using analysis, text-to-self connections, synthesizing information; identifying the "so what" of an argument
    Write an effective, grade-level, 6-part persuasive essay following MLA format

Paragraph #1) Claim/Thesis Statement with three evidences (reasons)--all in one coherent sentence.
Paragraph #2) Develop evidence #1 using a minimum of three details/examples
Paragraph #3) Develop evidence #2 using a minimum of three details/examples
Paragraph #4) Develop evidence #3 using a minimum of three details/examples
Paragraph #5 Concession/Counter-claim (the other side of the issue)
Paragraph #6) Conclusion--use analysis, connections, restate, share opinion, identify the "so what" of the essay

Persuasion Topics
  • Becoming a vegetarian makes for a healthier lifestyle.
  • Lying is a natural and necessary part of good relationships.
  • Everyone should live in the spirit of Carpe diem! (Seize the day!)
  • Plan for the future.
  • Don't eat fast food!
  • Be yourself! (Leadership rather than following others)Parent teacher conferences should be mandatory.
  • Minimum wage should be raised.
  • Luck is not a matter of chance
  • Women can do anything men do and they can do it better!  Athletes should be good role models
  • Winning isn't everything but it sure beats losing.
  • All is fair in love and war.
  • Teachers deserve pay raises
  • Students with "A's" should be exempt from finals.
  • Everyone should own a pet
  • Walmart is the best place to shop
  • Use credit cards responsibly.
  • Everyone should take a self defense class.
  • Parents should take an active role in their children's education. 
  • Healthy people should become organ donors.
  • Elvis is alive.
  • Michael Jackson was abducted by aliens
  • Home schooling is the best education program
  • Private schools are better than public schools
  • Donate to charity
  • Satellite is better than cable
  • McDonalds is better than Burger King.
  • Buying is better than renting.
  • Renting is better than buying.
  • Recycle
  • Don't procrastinate.
  • Celebrities receive preferential legal treatment.
  • Reality TV is not "real"
#2 Essay due 9/21/12
Common Core Objective(s)
Writing ELA 9.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Writing ELA 9.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Topic: detail a search for something positive (something beautiful, courageous, fun, interesting, attractive, breathtaking, incredible, loving,, etc.). 
Prewrite: read the book Something Beautiful (in-class power point). 
Assignment:  Write a 1.5 page essay meeting minimum criteria on the different definitions of the traits above. Minimum of at least three perspectives (three interviews) and three examples for each of the three perspectives (minimum five paragraphs). 
Objectives: Recognize we see the world differently--even commonly defined terms. Reflect on what is valuable to you, and what is not. Practice the art of interview and taking notes. Organize a 5-paragraph essay (three traits sandwiched between a solid intro and solid conclusion). Show competency on Google Docs, write/submit grade level narrative paper on time, in MLA format.  

Paragraph #1) Introduction
Paragraph #2) Define trait and give three examples
Paragraph #3) Define same trait from a different perspective and give three examples
Paragraph #4) Define same trait from a third perspective and give three examples
Paragraph #5 Conclusion

#1 Essay due 9/7/12
Common Core Objective(s)
Writing ELA 9.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
Writing ELA 9.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Topic:  All About Me
Prewrite: Bio-Poem--format from power point slide (as another student if you missed it). Need to complete even if late. 
Assignment:  Write a 1.5 page essay meeting minimum criteria (MLA format, proofread, parent/peer response, grade level writing, identifiable beginning and ending, etc.) about who you are.
Objectives--to show competency on Google Docs, write/submit grade level narrative paper on time in MLA format.. 

MLA Format on the left corner:
Student Name
Teacher Name
Class, period, name of assignment
Due date

A strong conclusion includes:
1) the importance of the topic/opinion 
2) a sense of completeness
3) a powerful final impression

Conclusion suggestions:
1) Answer the question "so what?" (why is the paper useful/meaningful)
2) Synthesize as you summarize (don't just repeat things. Show how the points you made were not random, but that they fit together)
3) Give your readers something to think about. If the intro was general and then you got specific, do the opposite in the conclusion--go from specific to general. 
4) Create a new meaning by showing how your ideas work together and create something new (the sum of a paper is worth more than its parts :-)
5) Ask a provocative question
6) Use a quotation
7) End with a warning
8) Universalize (compare to other situations)
9) Suggest results or consequences

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