EA 2
DAY 1
JUNIORS
SWBAT craft their thesis statement for
their argumentative essay
 DO NOW: Vocabulary Quiz– Only 10 minutes
 When you are done with your quiz, please read the
following:
 Structure of an Argument
 Essay Assignment sheet.
 Write down any questions that you have about either
sheet.
THESIS STATEMENT REVIEW
 The thesis sentence is the most important sentence in an
essay -- the one ruling idea you will support in the body of
your paper. It serves as a plan for the writer and a “road
map” for the reader. In a sense, it is a contract between the
writer and the reader. The writer promises to prove the
thesis to the reader.
 The thesis is the writer’s opinion -- an argument, not a fact.
LOOKING AT THE QUESTION
 Your assignment is to synthesize at least three to five sources
and your own observations to defend, challenge, or qualify the
statement that America still provides access to the American
Dream, to the “tired, the poor, and the huddled masses.” This
question requires you to integrate a variety of sources (3–5) into
a coherent, well-written argumentative essay. Be sure to refer
to the sources and employ your own observations to support
your position
Introduction Construction Simple
 Step 1:You need to address the question and turn it into a thesis
statement.
Example Simple:
America still provides access to the American Dream, to the “tired,
the poor, and the huddled masses.”
What should you establish in your introduction given this is your
“simple thesis?”
Introduction Construction Complex
 Step 1:You need to address the question and turn it into a
thesis statement.
 The American Dream is no longer as simple as it used to be,
whereby people who work hard automatically succeed; instead,
most find the ideals set forth in the “Dream” unobtainable.
 What should you establish in your introduction given this is
your “complex thesis?”
HAND BACK BRAINSTORM
AND EVIDENE CHART
 PICK THREE TO FIVE SOURCES
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY THESIS
STATEMENT DEVELOPMENT
 INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH:
 5 SENTENCES
 THESIS STATEMENT
If I believe that the American dream still exists/does not exist…
What works do I feel strongly about using?
How did these works help shape my opinion about the
American Dream?
 EXAMPLE:
EXIT ACTIVITY
 WRITE YOUR THESIS DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER
AND HAND IT IN.
You will get
= Go ahead
You will get a
set-up extra help
= Need to rework; email me/
You will get a
= Almost
BODY PARAGRAPH
STRUCTURE
Body
Paragraph
THESIS Topic Sentence
Sentence 1: Introduce your argument
STATEMENT
Evidence
Sentence 2: Examples to support topic
sentences
Commentary
Sentence 3-5: Explain the significance of
the evidence and how it relates to your
claim
REPEAT EVIDENCE STEP AND
COMMENTARY STEP