Analytical Thinking and
Writing In All Subject
Areas
Expository Text Structure:
Proposition-Support
(Persuasive, Position paper)
Non-fiction Text Structures
(how authors organize nonfiction texts)
Students need to be taught text structures so that
they can successfully read and write non-fiction.
• Compare-Contrast
• Cause-Effect
• Goal-Action-Outcome (procedure/process,
sequential/chronological order, order of
importance)
• Problem-Solution
• Proposition-Support (persuasive, position)
• Concept-Definition (descriptive)
What is a propositionsupport essay?
“Proposition” is a fancy word for
argument. A proposition-support
essay uses logic and reason to show
that one idea is more legitimate
than another idea.
Why is it important?
• Understanding proposition-support texts
helps students become critical readers.
• Mississippi writing assessments require
students to produce a persuasive piece.
• Many questions on college entrance tests
target an author’s point of view and
require analysis of supporting
arguments.
Students’ awareness of text structures
improves reading comprehension.
Use “Say Something” to encourage
your students to think as they read.
Brainstorm topics in your
content area where students
can use supporting evidence
to persuade readers to accept
a specific viewpoint.
Persuasive writing in Math?
• Don Know said, “Whenever a rectangle’s perimeter
increases, its area also increases.” C.I. Know said, “That’s
true. I can prove it.” Do you think this can be proven?
(proposition) If so, prove it. If not, tell why. (support)
• There is only one even, prime number, 2. (proposition)
How can you explain that? (support)
• “If you convert feet to inches, you divide the number of
feet by 12,” said Katye. Buffi argued, “No, you multiply
the number of feet by 12.” With whom do you agree?
(proposition) Why? (support)
Persuasive writing in Social Studies?
• Western Hemisphere Competency 5.a.
Based on your knowledge of US History, discuss how
technology has/ has not impacted the development of
the Western Hemisphere (proposition). Support your
claims with factual evidence (support).
• Mississippi Studies 3.f.
Examine the environmental problems of Mississippi and
propose (proposition) a solution for one of the three
reporting areas illustrated at
www. Epa.gov/myenv/MYENVIEW. Support your
proposition with facts from the data collected (support).
Persuasive writing in Science?
• 6th Grade Competency 2.a.
Atoms of a given element are all alike, but atoms of
other elements have different atomic structures.
(proposition) How do you explain this? (support)
• Genetics 3.f.
Develop and present a scientifically-based
logical (support) argument (proposition) for
or against moral and ethical issues related
to genetic engineering.
Persuasive Writing in Technology?
• You have been hired to set up a
network for a new corporation. Give
a recommendation (proposition) on the type of
network the corporation needs. Provide reasons to
support your recommendation (support).
• You have a ten-page essay due for your English
class. Which input device should you use to
complete this task? (proposition) Support your
answer. (support)
Tool for Proposition-Support
Thinking and Writing
Proposition
Pro (or con)
with
supporting
details
Pro (or
con)
with
supporting
details
Tree Map
Pro (or
con)
with
supporting
details
Order of Operations for Essay Writing
Begin with your topic.
Brainstorm on a Thinking
Map, jot list, etc.
Analyze and summarize information on the Thinking
Map, etc. to determine your thesis statement.
Use information on Thinking Map,
etc. to determine supporting ideas
and write topic sentence for each
idea.
Find supporting evidence to
explain supporting ideas in
detail in the body paragraphs.
Write your hook (tells why
we care, states thesis).
Incorporate transitions to
combine and explain your
ideas.
Write your conclusion (rewrite
the thesis, revisit main points
from body paragraphs and
hook).
Using the Writing Order
of Operations in Social
Studies
1. Begin with a topic:
Gun control
2. Brainstorm on a Tree Map.
Gun control
Con
Metal
detectors
in schools
Con
Con
Mass killings
Danger to
law
enforcement
3. Analyze the Tree Map to determine
a thesis statement.
Gun control
Con
Metal
detectors
in schools
Con
Mass Con
killings
Con
Danger to
law
enforcement
Summary : (issue + point of view = thesis)
Enforced gun control would save lives.
4. Create a thesis statement
based on the analysis of the Tree
Map.
Issue + writer’s point of view = thesis statement
THESIS: Action needs to be taken to decrease
the number of semiautomatic weapons
being bought and used in America today .
Remember: The thesis statement is the
most important element of the essay!
Now it’s your turn……
1. Choose a topic from your group’s previously
created list of topics in which the writer can
persuade readers with supporting evidence.
2. Create a Tree Map showing the proposition and
support.
3. Analyze the Tree Map to summarize the pros and
cons of the proposition.
4. Create a thesis statement for a proposition-support
essay.
Tips for Writing a
Proposition-Support
Essay
Introduction
•
•
Hook (How will this proposition-support essay
help someone better understand the proposition
and agree with it AND why doing it is important
in the big picture)
Thesis statement (expresses a clear point of view
or opinion-no wishy washy thesis statements
allowed!)
The Body
• Writers need solid supporting ideas to develop
an argument.
• Each paragraph should be focused on a single
idea that supports the thesis.
• HOWEVER, write as many paragraphs as
needed to support the thesis.
The Body
• Use statistics, research, real-life experiences /antecdotes
or examples to support the argument.
• You have to convince the opposition! The writer must
anticipate and overcome objections that the opposition
might raise.
• It is very important that the tone be reasonable and
that the presentation be factual and believable.
• The first-person point of view should only be used in a
paragraph that supports real-life experiences/
antecdotes. Otherwise, third-person point of view
should be used.
Proposition-Support Transitions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use transition words to help
the reader follow the flow of ideas.
• logic
conclusion
• research
viewpoint
opinion
• expert verification
if…then
• reason
belief
• sufficient evidence
idea
• proof
hypothesis
• theory
based on
• it could be argued
no one can refute
that
The Essay’s
Conclusion
• Restate the thesis statement using
different wording and/or;
• Revisit the main points from the
body paragraphs and/or;
• End on some memorable thought,
such as a relevant quotation,
interesting twist of logic, or some call
to action that is related to the hook.
Teachers of all subjects are
responsible for:
• Thesis statements
• Organization
• Transitional language
• Content
Remember! Content-area teachers are
not responsible for GUM (grammar,
usage, mechanics, and spelling).
Back in the Classroom
• Post the proposition-support transition words in
your classroom.
• Model the “Say Something” strategy for your
students and have them practice the strategy as
they read a proposition-support text.
• Use the annotated proposition-support essays to
help your students become analytical readers and
writers.
• Have your students write a proposition-support
essay.
• Model writing each part of the essay and provide
feedback during the drafting stage.