Essay+Writing

ACTIVITY 1 //Opener:// In general, what are the key characteristics of excellent writing? What are additional keys to excellent writing in social studies? Answer by making a list in your new Essay Writing page, label your answer “Activity 1”.
 * research
 * planning/outlining/rough draft
 * revising/editing/grammar + spelling
 * organization
 * academic word choice
 * strong argument
 * note-taking
 * getting feedback/critique
 * strong theasis statement
 * TEA

ACTIVITY 2
 * 1) **Be knowledgeable about your content ** (research from a reliable source. don't second guess)
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Read the directions / prompt / question carefully (prompt may even give the answer/what they're looking for)
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brainstorm & Outline ( getting thoughts on paper. I like to freewrite)
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have an appropriate title (so that readers know what they're looking at)
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Directly answer the question / respond to the prompt (thesis? )
 * 6) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Use a strong, clear thesis statement (important to show your argument )
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Prove your thesis statement throughout the essay
 * 8) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure your arguments are presented in an organized way (also, organize in a logical way. one point leading to the other)
 * 9) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include evidence/examples //and// analysis of them (sometimes I forget to analyze )
 * 10) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include key terms, academic vocabulary, appropriate research/documents/sources
 * 11) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide context
 * 12) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge other POVs / opposing arguments (and disprove them, if possible) (think of what the other POV might use against you)
 * 13) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Use correct grammar and spelling
 * 14) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure the paragraphs and sentences flow together, that it’s a smooth read
 * 15) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Finish with something profound
 * 16) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proofread and revise*

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The 3 most important factors in am essay are to us<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">e a //strong, clear thesis statement, include evidence/examples and analysis of them,// //be knowledgeable about your content.// The //thesis statement// is very important to enstablish your argument so it's important to make sure it gets the point across. You must include //evidence and a clear analysis// to support your thesis. This is all tied up by being //knowledgeable about your content// and not making things up!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 3 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Like most people, I have my strengths and weaknesses. In the subject of essays my strengths are being organized and providing evidence. Organization is easy because, for me, I just use logic. Logically putting things in order that makes the most sense like 1 2 3. Providing evidence is a bit tricky because you would have to have a reliable source, but from this summer program I'm now more confident of my ability to find trustworthy sources. On the other hand, I may not be as good on the analysis part. I get confused as to what's evidence and what's analysis. I also have some difficulty on creating thesis statements, because there's a lot I want to say, but what's important? I feel that I've improved a lot throughout this year.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Activity 4: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">[]


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">understand military, diplomatic, and political reasons as to why the U.S. won the war
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Be knowledgeable what the Revolutionary war, from 1775-1783

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> When you read the requirements for an 8-9 essay for this particular prompt, what are you reminded about excellent writing in general? ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You are to provide a clear thesis that is supported by relevant information and analysis which is all written in a clear and organized fashion.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, read the characteristics of a 5-7 essay and answer: what are the main differences between an 8-9 essay and a 5-7 essay? ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The main difference is that 5-7 is only half the work or 8-9. It has all the main things, but it's lose and not as strong like 8-9.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 5 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Some things that the 5-7 essay is lacking are organization and thesis statement feels a bit unclear. I partially disagree because this person could've done some organization. Also, the thesis statement was meh.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 6

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1) __Title__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – always have a title that you have created

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2) __Intro Paragraph__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduce the topic with a general topic sentence.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include a year or time frame.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide context: explain key background and related info for the time period and topic.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Transition into a brief, general mention of the specific topic of the essay.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide a __Thesis Statement__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that clearly responds to the essay question or topic.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure the sentences connect, that the paragraph flows.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3) __Body Paragraphs__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Break the essay into specific subtopics (which should have been mentioned in your thesis statement)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Begin each body paragraph with a TOPIC SENTENCE that is basically a thesis statement for that paragraph’s subtopic
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Topic sentences should bridge the previous paragraph (may require only one word to make a bridge (e.g. “also”))
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Follow general topic sentences with specific details, examples, evidence (from documents/research if applicable)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include key terms, names, dates, events, and data (#s)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ANALYZE your evidence and examples - why are they important? what do they show? So what?!
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PROVE YOUR THESIS throughout each paragraph

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4) __Conclusion Paragraph__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Summarize some of the most important information from the essay.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge opposing arguments (and refute, if possible).
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Restate your thesis in different words.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explain why your topic is important in the big picture of history (so what?) and/or give a preview of what is or may be next to come...give your audience something strong to leave with.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 7 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">My weakness in an essay is the evil conclusion. I'm not always sure what to write there so I would just summarize my topic sentences from previous paragraphs. Sometimes I put irrelevant things, or too much or too little. I have problems getting the "big picture" because it's easy to provide evidence, but it requires a lot of thought and analysis.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">ACTIVITY 8 <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Underneath a heading of “Activity 8,” brainstorm: What is a thesis statement? Why are thesis statements so important? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The thesis statement is the respond to the question you're answering. It helps the reader know which side you're choosing.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">ACTIVITY 9 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Thesis Statements


 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">a. What is my topic?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">b. What argument am I prepared to make?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?


 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Learn the commonly misspelled words: their vs. there vs. they're, are vs. our, led vs. lead, etc...and then pay attention to these in your work! Confusing Words.com!might be a helpful site for you.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Don't use don't: DO NOT use conjunctions (don't, can't, won't, etc). Use do not, can not, will not, etc.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Use __ACADEMIC LANGUAGE__: always use key terms AND words like significant, important, aspect, factor, etc. instead of words like big, thing, etc. and use the vocabulary of your topic, including key terms.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Learn to write mostly in __compound sentences__, they are usually required in order to write thoughtfully.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Become adept at using words and phrases such as: because, however, though, including, along with, for example, similar to, different than, etc...which help create compound sentences and good arguments.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Avoid absolutes. Try not to use the words such as never, always, all, none, etc. Instead, use words like most, some, few, almost all, many, etc.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Don't use "etc." Instead use "and others" or "and many more" or something similar.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Use the __past tense__. Start in the past tense. Stay in the past tense. (You may need to write in another tense, but the key is to not jump around among tenses).
 * 9) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Call historical figures by their full name once and then by their last name. Abraham Lincoln should be discussed as Abraham Lincoln once and then called Lincoln after that.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Call Americans Americans. Don't call Americans "us" or "we".
 * 11) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The United States is a country. Americans are people. A country is "it" whereas a people is "they."
 * 12) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Don't use "I" or "In my opinion" or "The two topics I am choosing are _". Just write what you would write after those items.
 * 13) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Learn the difference between "between" and "among." Between is for two items, among is for more than two.
 * 14) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Every time you make a general point, support it with at least one example or piece of evidence.
 * 15) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Recognize (and refute, if possible) at least one argument that opposes the one(s) you are making.