October, 26
Learning Target: I can analyze what makes an effective introduction
paragraph.
Agenda:
1.
IR
2.
Effective introductions: AP open-response tips
3.
Practice intro writing
Reminders:
1.
Get your copy of Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt by this Friday!
2.
Frankenstein final test on this Thursday and Friday. Finish book!
Open-Ended Response Practice
Writing Effective
Introductions
Building your introduction
1. Universal
statements
2. More specific
statements that
name title of work,
author, and genre
Or PULL FROM
PROMPT
3.Thesis
statement that
lists 3 major
points to be
covered in essay
Let’s practice universal statement…
Topic of paper
1. School dress code
2. Setting in a novel
3. Banning e-cigarettes
4. How tone and mood drives
the character development of
a novel.
5. Should schools allow
teachers to carry weapons?
Universal statement
Not Included in an Introductory
Paragraph

No explanation of arguments! The introduction is not a place to provide
detailed explanations of your supporting details because these explanations will
occur in your body paragraphs.

Do not tell your audience what you are going to do. “I am going to tell you this…”
Consider This Introduction
In my essay, I am going to tell you about the importance of an introductory paragraph.
My first reason introductory paragraphs are important is because they include important
information to guide the audience, such as main ideas and thesis. My second body paragraph
will tell you about how the introduction functions as the outline for the reader to know
where the writer is going with their ideas. Third, my final point is that introduction paragraphs
engage the audience by including a hook because without the hook the readers will not be
interested in the writing. These are the reasons why the introduction is important to have.
Clear Thesis?
Interesting lead?
Outline of main ideas?
Consider This Introduction
According to many writing experts, the introductory paragraph is considered
to be the most difficult component of an essay to compose. Introductory
paragraphs include vital information to guide the reader. Additionally, the
introduction works as an outline of the writer’s argument. Another important role
of the introductory paragraph is to include an engaging hook to entice the audience
to continue reading the composition. Therefore, writers should craft strong, detailed
introduction paragraphs because this paragraph is the seed from which their writing
will grow.
Sample Introduction

Throughout literature, reoccurring symbols and
motifs emerge to guide readers to a deeper, more
complete understanding of a text. In Ralph Ellison’s
seminal work, Invisible Man, there are countless
symbols that add complex nuances to the novel.
These symbols allow the reader to fully understand
the plight of the narrator by adding subtext and
meaning to seemingly normal events. One symbol
that is pervasively used throughout the novel is the
depiction of color which sheds light on the novel’s
depiction of racism, isolation and lack of opportunity.
Sample Introduction

Throughout literature, reoccurring symbols and
motifs emerge to guide readers to a deeper, more
complete understanding of a text. In Ralph Ellison’s
seminal work, Invisible Man, there are countless
symbols that add complex nuances to the novel.
These symbols allow the reader to fully understand
the plight of the narrator by adding subtext and
meaning to seemingly normal events. One symbol
that is pervasively used throughout the novel is the
depiction of color, which sheds light on the novel’s
depiction of racism, isolation and lack of opportunity.
Thesis
Open-ended question practice #1

Choose a literary device about a novel of literary merit.
Discuss how the literary device reveals details and
specifics that reveal something about the plot, character
and/or setting of a novel
1. So….what is this prompt asking me to argue?
2. What’s my thesis statement going to be? My 3 claims?
3. Start with a universal statement that relates to the topic.
4. Next give specifics about literary piece. Pull from prompt.
5. Thesis statement….BOOM!
Get some feedback . . .

Read your introduction aloud to your group.

Get feedback on the following:

Did the introduction move from universal to more specific to
specific? (Writer might use elements from the prompt.)

Did the writer include the title, author and genre in the middle of
the introduction? (This is where the writer transitions from universal
to a focus on the selected piece of literature.) Did the writer “pull
from the prompt” to establish context.?

Did the thesis statement include the main points to be covered in
the essay? (This is where you check to make sure all parts of the
prompt are addressed.)
Tuesday, October 27

Learning Target: I can correctly cite evidence from text
using MLA citations.
Agenda:
1. IR/reading check
2. Citing evidence
What are Parenthetical Citations?
Acknowledging words,
facts, or ideas from
another source.
Why do we need parenthetical
citations?
It is important to give credit to the sources you
use. When you copy words and ideas that are not
yours and use them without giving credit, it is
called plagiarism.
How do I avoid plagiarism?
You can avoid plagiarism, which
is a serious offense, by giving
credit to your sources. People
who plagiarize may receive a
failing grade or even be
expelled from school.
Doesn’t the “Works Cited”
page give credit?
Yes, the Works Cited page at the end of your paper
is important in giving credit to the sources you
used. However, it doesn’t give your reader
information on what exactly you used from
each source or exactly where you found the
material.
When must you give credit?
1. When you quote exact words
If you use the exact words of an author, you
need to include them in “quotation marks.”
Give Credit
When you summarize facts and
ideas from a source:
Summarizing means
taking ideas from a larger
passage and condensing
them into your own words.
Give Credit
When you paraphrase:
If you use the ideas
or opinions from
someone else and
restate them in your
own words, you still
need to cite the
source.
When do you not have
to cite a reference?



If the information is well
known
If the information can be
found in dictionaries
Statistics and
information that can be
easily found in several
sources and are not
likely to vary from
source to source
Citing sources when you have all
the information

The most common type of credit (citation) lists the author’s
last name and the page number in parentheses.
In 1900, the worst hurricane in the United States history hit
Galveston, Texas. “A storm surge almost two stories high broke over the
city, causing 20- foot (6.1 meter) floods and more than 8,000 deaths”
(Skelton 4).
• If you already name the author in your report, just
include the page number in parentheses.
In Hurricane Force, Michael Miles explains that cool air
draws heat and moisture from warm bodies of water to form a storm (22).
Citing sources when some of the
information is missing

Some sources do not list an author. In those cases, use the title
and page number.
The winds of a hurricane are most violent around the eye
(“Hurricane Season” 7).

Some sources do not use page numbers. In those cases, list just
the author.
Hurricanes in the Indian Ocean are called cyclones (Nealy).

If a source does not list the author or page number, use the title.
In Southeast Asia, they are called typhoons (“Big Wind”).
Citing sources when some of the
information is missing

Some sources do not list an author. In those cases, use the title
and page number.
The winds of a hurricane are most violent around the eye
(“Hurricane Season” 7).

Some sources do not use page numbers. In those cases, list just
the author.
Hurricanes in the Indian Ocean are called cyclones (Nealy).

If a source does not list the author or page number, use the title.
In Southeast Asia, they are called typhoons (“Big Wind”).
Always check to make sure you give
credit to your sources
Include a Works Cited page:
A complete list of every source that you make
reference to in your report. This provides the
information necessary for a reader to locate and
retrieve any sources cited in your paper.
Use parenthetical citations
when you
 Quote
 Summarize
 Paraphrase
Wrap up a great paper !
Wednesday, October 28

Learning Target: I can write an effective conclusion

Reminders:


Finish Frankenstein tonight! Test is tomorrow (written portion)
and Friday (m/c portion)
Get your copy of Angela’s Ashes
What makes an effective
conclusion?

Memorable: Leaves the reader with something
to think about.

Logical: the reader is forced to agree because it
made so much sense

The “So…What?” has been answered!

Go back to your thesis statement, and make sure
you’ve demonstrated it.

Do NOT summarize!
4-step conclusion:
1. Start with a statement that tells the reader what is
obviously apparent about the topic.




“At face value…”
“On a superficial glace…”
“It is obvious/apparent...”
Example: When reading Frankenstein, it is obvious to the
reader that the theme of the power of knowledge plays a
major role in the development of the novel.
4-step Conclusion

2. Next tell the reader what can be seen by looking more
deeply into situation.



“However, upon more careful examination, it is clear to the
reader…”
“Yet, when looking more deeply into __________, it is
apparent that…”
“When taking a closer look at ____________, the reader can
see that…”
Example: However, upon more careful examination, it is clear to
the reader that this theme has both positive and negative
consequences throughout the plot of the novel.
4. Step Conclusion

3. Next, transition to your thesis and restate it using
brand new words.

Example: Through a careful look at the novel, it is
apparent that Shelley portrays that knowledge has both
awesome, yet simultaneously destructive power.
4-step Conclusion

Now bring it home: Go deep here. Relate the topic to the
world at large, current issues that people face today, end
call to action etc.

Example: This duel power of knowledge is not only
thematically prevalent in Frankenstein, but in the world of
medical ethics today.
4-step Conclusion

When reading Frankenstein, it is obvious to the reader that
the theme of the power of knowledge plays a major role in the
development of the novel. However, upon more careful
examination, it is clear to the reader that this theme has both
positive and negative consequences throughout the plot of the
novel. Through a careful look at the novel, it is apparent that
Shelley portrays that knowledge has both awesome, yet
simultaneously destructive power. This duel power of
knowledge is not only thematically prevalent in Frankenstein,
but in the world of medical ethics today.
Now you try it…

Take the prompt that you wrote an intro before on
Monday and construct a strong conclusion using the 4step process.
Choose a literary device about a novel of literary merit.
Discuss how the literary device reveals details and specifics
that reveal something about the plot, character and/or
setting of a novel
October 29, 2015

Learning Target: I can write an effective on-demand essay.
Reminders: Have you gotten your copy of Angela’s Ashes, by
Frank McCourt????
Donate your copy of Frankenstein next Wednesday, get extra
credit on the test!!!