OER on Funny in Farsi
Revise for test grade!
MECHANICS (the easy part)
• Book titles are underlined when writing
• Keep literature living (no past tense)
• Ellipsis not needed at beginning of quote when embedding
Ex: Firoozeh feels ostracized when “…everyone stare[s] at” them, so she just
smiles to act like she understands.
• No first person (I, we, our, me, my) and no second person (you) UNLESS you
are quoting
CONTENT
• Claim: avoid words used in the prompt, ANSWER THE QUESTION!
• Evidence: must be embedded, should be STRONG examples that support your
claim – get rid of the weak quotes
• Analysis: Explain how these examples support your claim
o Need some inspiration? Use one of these phrases to get started:
§ This proves…
§ Thus…
§ As a result…
§ This means that…
§ This implies…
§ This conveys…
§ This shows…
• Concluding sentence
o Does it sum up the main point?
o Is it repetitive? Get rid of it.
o Does it connect to the main message of the work?
Short Answer Format:
CLAIM: Answer the Question
Evidence: Evidence to support your answer
Evidence: Evidence to support your answer
Analysis: Explain / Elaborate
CS: Connect to theme
Some strong transitions to use at the beginning of your sentences should be the following:
For sentences needing “evidence”: Below is a list of strong transitional words or phrases
that can be used at the beginning of your sentence. Note: Make sure your transitions are
followed with commas.
Introducing Examples:
For example
In one instance
For instance
To illustrate
In one case
Such as
In one example
In fact
First
For “Analysis” sentences: Below is a list of strong transitional words or phrases that can be
used at the beginning of your sentence.
This proves that
Consequently
For this reason
This displays
This means that
Therefore
So
This demonstrates
This shows that
Thus
This entails
This conveys
As a result
Due to
This implies
This reflects
Note: You can always use a contrasting transitional phrase in your writing. BUT BE
CAREFUL that you understand what contrast means and most especially what the state
means. DO NOT THROW a contrasting transition in just because you think it will sound good!
Although
On the other hand
On the contrary
Instead
Yet
Otherwise
Unlike
But
In contrast
Nevertheless
Provided that
Still
However
Keep in mind, that this list of transitional words WILL NOT be on the state test. Therefore, it is
in YOUR best interest that you memorize some of these transitions that you will get
comfortable to using.
Ms. Cordell’s Example:
Pre-Write
Identify two aspects of your culture and explain how they shape your identity.
•
•
•
Aspect of culture 1: American
Aspect of culture 2: Close-knit family
Identity: Teacher, Educator, Empathetic, Generous, Compassionate
**Use the brainstorming above to write your claim. (See how the ideas match up? It makes things easier.)
CLAIM: I strive to be an educated citizen who helps others because I am influenced by
America’s core values and the morals of my compassionate family.
1Evidence: America’s values – American Dream, Education, Success
2Evidence: Family’s values – Support others, give back, be kind
Final Product:
I strive to be an educated citizen who helps others because I am
influenced by America’s core values and the morals of my
compassionate family. Growing up, I was surrounded with discourse
about the American Dream, so I developed the belief that education
and a strong work ethic would always result in success. My family
supported this dream by providing me with everything I needed to
reach my goals and, in observing their generosity, I learned the
importance of helping others. Together, these values motivate me to
be a lifelong learner that educates students, so they can reach their
own goals and give back to our society. People become whatever they
surround themselves with, so being aware of one’s own culture is
important in understanding oneself.
Blue- CLAIM (answers question)
Red – Evidence (information taken from mind map)
Green – Analysis (Explain how these two cultures have shaped who you are)
Black – Concluding Sentence (either sum up main points or write a thematic statement)