LEQ 4 (ORGANIZATION):
HOW DOES AN AUTHOR’S
ARGUMENT DETERMINE
ORGANIZATION?
Content Vocabulary – The words you NEED to know
to help understand our LEQ!
Thesis Statement
Unlike fiction, nonfiction texts begin by
telling readers what they will encounter
in the text.
 A thesis statement is a 1 -2 sentence
identifying
- topic
-main idea
-purpose

Do and Don’t:
A Thesis Statement SHOULD…
And SHOULD NOT…
• Tell the topic of your composition
• State the view and purpose for
writing
• Suggest what the paper will be
about and how it will be
organized
• Be based on facts and
information
• Use clear and specific language
• Engage the reader’s interest
•
•
•
•
Be an incomplete thought
Be a simple statement of fact
Express a sweeping opinion
Be stated as an
announcement: “In this paper I
will show that…”
• Be too general, trite, or
emotional
Thesis Statement Practice
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Which is the most effective thesis statement and explain
WHY it is better than the others…
A. Silverton High School does not need a dress code in
any way, shape, or form.
B. Today I am going to explain to you why the
proposed Silverton dress code is a harebrained scheme.
C. The school board’s proposed dress code will deprive
Silverton students of their basic right to self-expression.
Thesis Statement Practice
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Which is the most effective thesis statement and explain
WHY it is better than the others…
A. Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the
United States and was largely responsible for the
Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
B. It’s practically impossible to overestimate Thomas
Jefferson’s contributions to the young United States.
C. Thomas Jefferson was a gifted diplomat, author, and
scientist, but he made his greatest contributions as
President.
LEQ: How does an author’s argument determine
organization?
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Remember with our LEQ that we are
looking at organization again!
With your elbow partner, review the
patterns of organization we discussed in
our informational unit.
Not only will we look at established
patterns, but you also want to look at the
organization in terms of writing – i.e,
introduction, conclusion.
Introductions & Conclusions
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In nonfiction, the introduction must grab the reader’s
attention, establish the author’s tone, and include a
thesis statement.
Conclusion: the statements or paragraph that
completes a piece of writing and reinforces its main
ideas or themes.
A conclusion can include a clear restatement, a direct
quotation, a recommendation or call to action, or a
question or questions to ponder.
Counterclaim & Rebuttal
Counterclaim: A claim that negates or
disagrees with the thesis/claim.
 Rebuttal: Evidence that negates or
disagrees with the counterclaim.


Include the opposing side as a
counterclaim! You look more credible.
Example (Counterclaim & Rebuttal)
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Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.
Data1: Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity.
Because cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry
produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on
fighting pollution.
Data 2: Each vehicle produced is going to stay on the road for roughly 12 to
15 years. Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that a decision to
switch to a hybrid car will make a long-term impact on pollution levels.
Counterclaim: Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of
driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building
and encouraging use of mass transit systems.
Rebuttal: While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be
encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people
who must commute to work; thus hybrid cars are a better solution for much of
the nation's population.
Practice with Content Vocab!
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With “The True Meaning of Friendship” text,
identify our vocabulary words…
Claim
Thesis
Rebuttal
Introduction
Conclusion