903 – 1/8 – 1/12
MONDAY
- Writers Motivation: In your opinion, what should the introduction paragraph to a persuasive essay have?
Mini-Lesson: Introductory Paragraphs to Persuasive Essays
- Tell the reader WHAT you want them to think or do.
- Tell the reader WHY they should
- Combine the WHAT and the WHY to create a thesis
- THESIS = MAIN POINT
Your Introduction Paragraph should:
- present the option to the reader (the WHAT).
- present the thesis very clearly.
Workshop:
Students created an introductory paragraph for a persuasive essay on President Bush’s decision to send more troops to Iraq. They filled out this worksheet:
TUESDAY – no class
WEDNESDAY – Writers
Motivation: Why is it better to explain one idea than to list many ideas?
Mini-Lesson: Proving the Thesis
Organize a Persuasive Essay:
Introduction
Supporting Paragraph
Supporting Paragraph
Conclusion
Intro and Conclusion state the THESIS (the What and the Why = the MAIN POINT)
Both Supporting Paragaphs exist only to support the THESIS:
One Paragraphs = One Idea
Explain that idea so it shows your thesis is true.
Workshop: Students wrote a first draft of a persausive essay according to this Performance Task Assessment List:
THURSDAY - Readers
Motivation: Describe the main character in your independent reading book.
Workshop: Students read independently and filled out Reading Logs.
FRIDAY - Writers
Motivation: Why should you bring each paragraph back to the thesis?
Mini-Lesson: Organize your paragraphs
Topic Sentence - the first sentence introduces your idea
Explain Your Idea – explain your idea clearly, avoiding asking questions
Give an Example – (optional) - Use an example from real life to help explain idea
Come back to the Thesis – End your paragraph by connecting your idea to the thesis.
Make Paragraphs Look like Hamburgers!
Top bread is the topic sentence
The meat is the idea
The bottom bread is the connection back the thesis
Workshop: Students revised their first draft of their persuasive essay with the new performance task list.
