UNIT: Great Authors of the Realist Age LESSON: How to Start a Research Paper
DATE: 4/23/15
INTASC STANDARDS: 4, 5, 6, 8, & 10 TIME LENGTH: 10 min.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
1.
Given the video demonstration on how to begin writing an essay outline, students will develop a thesis statement with at least three arguments to support their claim.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1.
What is a thesis statement?
2.
What are some of the ways that one can order their supporting arguments?
3.
Explain how first creating an outline can help the writing and editing process.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
1. Observe students in the classroom after they have watched the instructional video the night before. If they seem to be struggling or ask for clarification, I will help them.
2.
If students wish to discuss writing the paper after school hours, I will make an appointment with them.
LESSON TYPE (Pedagogy): Instructional Video
LESSON ELEMENTS:
I.
Lesson Introduction (30 sec.)
A.
Introduce myself as the course instructor and thank the viewer for their time.
B. Motivational Device:
“Today, I am going to show you how to create an outline for your essay to make the writing process easier and more effective.
II.
Lesson Outline (8 min.)
A.
“First, we need to decide what we’re going to write our paper about. The most important thing to consider is the topic. I’ve already given you part of the topic: writing about one of the realist novels we’ve already read in class, but it’s up to you to decide which novel you’ll write about. You’re also at liberty to choose which elements you focus on—character development, central themes, setting, etc. So, let’s say that I’m writing an essay, too. I’ll choose to do mine on
Huck Finn about Huck’s developing relationship with the runaway slave, Jim. Now, I’m relating this to character development, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be elements of central themes or the book’s setting in my essay. That’s fine, but let’s just keep it simple by focusing on
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what we consider to be the main focus of our paper. Maybe for you it’ll be more about the central theme of racism than Huck and Jim’s development, and, again, that’s fine.
B.
“After deciding on a topic, it’s time to form your thesis. A thesis is a brief statement that describes what you’re trying to prove with your essay. Want to write about why
Fahrenheit 451 is more about TV than general censorship? Or about why The Grapes of Wrath is a terrible book? Go ahead. Just make sure that your thesis is arguable. Not everyone sees Fahrenheit as a book about TV, and not everyone thinks The Grapes of Wrath suck. You can’t debate whether
Mark Twain had a mustache or not—that’s indisputable, that’s fact. On the other hand, you could argue whether or not his mustache was sexy. (I don’t recommend that you write your paper on that, though.) Building upon my topic, I may write my thesis like this: ‘Throughout their adventure, Huck grows to think of Jim as a precious friend and discovers that slavery is wrong.’
One more thing: try to make sure that your thesis is no more than one sentence. The thesis is a single statement that occurs somewhere within an introductory paragraph. Most teachers are sticklers for the thesis being the first sentence, but as long as it flows together with the rest of the paragraph I couldn’t care less whether it’s the last sentence or smack dab in the middle.
C. “ Next, we need to dream up our three supporting arguments to the thesis. For my topic,
I’ll focus first on Huck’s pranks on Jim, then on Huck’s inner conflict over whether or not to turn
Jim in, and finally on his decision to free Jim when he’s captured. Really, there’s no limit to what you can use as an argument as long as it is logical, relevant to the topic, and can be supported by quotations from the novel.
D. “
After that, it’s time to flesh out your arguments with potential quotations and original observations. But we’re only talking about how to start an essay today; I’ll teach you how to finalize your essay in another video. Until then, just work on forming your thesis and arguments, and if you have any questions, feel free to speak to me in class or email me at sdd45014@huskies.bloomu.edu
.”
III.
Lesson Summary (1 min.)
A.
So, to recap, my topic is on the relationship between Huck and Jim in Huck Finn , my thesis is “Throughout their adventure, Huck grows to think of Jim as a precious friend and discovers that slavery is wrong,” and my three supporting arguments are Huck’s pranks on Jim,
Huck’s struggle with turning Jim in, and his decision to rescue Jim from captivity. You can even use this example to write your essay if you want to. There’s no shame in it. Maybe it’s a topic
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that interested you before watching this video, or maybe you’d like to use it as a guideline to get used to the outlining process. Just write about something that you’re interested in.
B.
Closure: Your assignment will be to provide me a written rough draft of your topic, thesis, and supporting arguments in class next Monday. If you need any help with any of these steps, let me know. Thanks for watching; I’ll see you all in class.
DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING ACTIVITY:
1.
Technology Accessibility: If students do not have access to technology in the home, provide them a handout with written instructions. Also, allow them the option to write their essays by hand rather than typing them.
2. Student Aptitude: If students are unable to write for any reason, adapt the assignment to their needs and affinities, such as a teacher-to-student interview-eques discussion about their topic.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:
1.
Materials: Pen, pencil, paper
2.
Technology: Computer w/ internet access, Microsoft Word
HOMEWORK: See Closure .
REFLECTION:
1.
Were the instructions clear and concise?
2.
Did students have difficulty paying attention during the video?
3.
Were students allowed enough creative flexibility for the assignment?
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