Warm Up: TISAS Review
Fill in the blanks for the acronym and provide a
one sentence explanation for each.
T
I
S
A
S
When you are done, add TWO sticky notes
to TWO different boxes on the retrieval chart.
Identifying TISAS in paragraphs
• In your groups of three, share your annotated
paragraph. What did you notice about this paragraph?
What makes it good? Explain your findings.
AND
• Is the analysis clear and logical?
• Is there a clear and precise connection drawn between
the analysis and the evidence?
• Did the writer use imprecise words such as “shows” or
“this means?”
How to Generate a Thesis if the Topic is Assigned
•
Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single
question. Your first step, then, is to distill the assignment into a specific question.
•
For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board
explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn
the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using
computers in a fourth-grade class?”
•
After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two
complete sentences answering that question.
Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?”
A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .”
OR
A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”
The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.
Now you guys try it!
• Pair up with a person sitting next to you and
try to come up with a thesis for the prompt:
• Describe how the main character, Melinda,
faces adversity. What examples from this
coming of age novel reveal her resiliency or
ability to cope with loss.
GROUP ESSAY PROMPT:
Describe how the main character,
Melinda, faces adversity. What examples
from this coming of age novel reveal her
resiliency or ability to cope with loss.
In your group, decide what the three main
points you want to make are. These points
are the topics for your paragraphs.
Group Member Duties
• Each person is responsible for one of the body
paragraphs. Use the TISAS formula (and
evidence from your Melinda evolution chart)
for constructing your paragraph!
• On Friday, each member will write their own
introduction and conclusion for the group
essay.
Homework for Wednesday
• Read to 196 and finish/refine your paragraph
(Use your cheat sheet to help you with formatting etc)
• Fill in two of the three boxes for the fourth
quarter of your Melinda character evolution
chart.