January 05, 2017
REMINDERS:
WELCOME BACK!!!!!! I know we are so so so excited to be here! I know I am!
1.READ YOUR BOOK FOR THE NEXT INDEPENDENT READING ASSIGNMENT
The tentative date for the next project will be JANUARY 31st
If you are reading a book that was not approved, you are not getting credit. Remember,
we spoke about responsibility and being an advocate for your own education at the
start of out year together.
We will be discussing your new Independent reading project soon!
2. You MUST PURCHASE OR BORROW A COPY OF AND THEN THERE WERE
NONE by Agatha Christie by January 13th. You must see me during lunch if you need
to borrow a copy. I suggest you get your own copy of this text. You will want to write in
it.
I.S. 239
Class _____ ID _____
Name ___________
January 3 ,2017
Objective: SWBAT Construct an effective thesis statement.
Do Now: I hope you had a wonderful break! I hope you read!
- Write your heading and aim in your classwork section.
In your notes: Examine your MASTER LIST of BENEFITS and RISKS of space
exploration for colonization. At this point, AFTER ALL OF OUR READING AND
RESEARCH, what is your stance of the matter? do the benefits outweigh the risks?
Why? (THIS ISTHE FIRST PART OF CREATING YOUR THESIS BTW...)
January 05, 2017
Essay Writing:
2. Thesis statement: Keep it general. Whatever you write in the
thesis statement will have to be PROVEN in the body paragraphs.
If you don't prove it, then you did not accomplish the task of
the assignment.
THESIS
Start this journey by restating the prompt in your sentence!
Prompt: Some people think that space exploration is the biggest thrill of all. Others
think it is dangerous, and a big waste of time and money while some feel that
terraforming is our species future. Do the benefits of exploring space for colonization
outweigh the risks?
Thesis: The benefits of exploring space for colonization outweigh the risks
because _____________ and _____________.
Claim 1
1st Body Paragraph
Claim 2
2nd Body Paragraph
Establish a point: BENEFIT
or RISK
January 05, 2017
Thesis: The risks associated with space exploration for colonization outweigh the
benefits because of ______________ and ________________.
Now remember, what ever claims you give you MUST
prove to accurately complete the assignment. So
when selecting your claims, ask yourself,
"What articles can I use to support this claim?"
Thesis: The risks associated with space exploration for colonization outweigh
the benefits because of health concerns and lack of definitive resources.
1. Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You
to Death! by Maggie Koerth-Baker
Mars Rover Finds Stronger Potential For
2. "Space Brain"
Life
Now select your claims - Choose 2:
Benefits
-Innovative Research
-Future Security
- Acquiring additional
resources
-Competition/ notoriety
-Thrill
Risks
-Danger
-Health Concerns
-Risk of uncertainty
-Expenses
-Time
-Limited Resources
-Public Enthusiasm
January 05, 2017
COPY THE FOLLOWING:
3. The topic sentence of each body paragraph should relate
to the thesis statement.
REMEMBER: Whatever your topic sentence is for the body
paragraph, that means the ENTIRE body paragraph has to
be about that one idea. I suggest you write a broad or
general topic sentence for the body paragraph so you can
include many examples and details. KEEP THE TOPIC
SENTENCE GENERAL.
Example: If this was my thesis statement:
Thesis: The risks associated with space exploration for colonization
outweigh the benefits because of health concerns and potential for
uncertainty.
my TOPIC SENTENCE for body paragraph ONE could be something like
this:
Topic Sentence: Space exploration exposes its participants to major
risks to their health and wellbeing.
Notice how CLAIM 1 and TOPIC SENTENCE 1 are directly connected. It
is BROAD enough for you to expand in the supporting details of the
paragraph.
January 05, 2017
COPY THE FOLLOWING:
Essay Writing:
4. Use correct paragraph format for body
paragraphs.
USE TRANSITIONS TO HELP THE PARAGRAPH FLOW
Otherwise, ideas become choppy and lead the reader off
track. ORGANIZE THE IDEAS FIRST (with some order).
Use Owl Purdue website for examples of appropriate and
effective transitions.
Example: If this was my thesis statement:
Thesis: The risks associated with space exploration for colonization
outweigh the benefits because of health concerns and potential for
uncertainty.
And this is my topic sentence for body paragraph ONE:
Topic Sentence: Space exploration exposes its participants to major
risks to their health and wellbeing.
I would have to transition to the next idea with FLUENCY CLAIM TWO.
Concluding Sentence: Health concerns attribute to a major risk for space
exploration and the aspiration is solely based on theory.
NOTICE how the concluding sentence bleeds into the next idea. Theory will
connect to the concept of UNCERTAINTY.
January 05, 2017
5. Make a counter claim/ argument.
A counter argument- is an argument that opposes your
thesis, or part of your thesis. It expresses the possible
view of a person who disagrees with your position.
You must acknowledge the credibility of this opposing
claim.
WHY DO THIS?
When done well, it actually makes your argument stronger. This is because
it gives you the opportunity to respond to your readers objections before
they have finished reading. It also shows that you are a reasonable person
who has considered two sides of an argument.
Counter claims should be placed AFTER you already presented the case
for your thesis. In other words, this would go after all of the main
points that support the thesis, but before the conclusion.
INTRO
BODY- Claim 1: Support of claim
For those of you who
BODY- Claim 2: Support of claim
like math (gag) think
COUNTER-ARGUMENT- Opposing Viewpoint
of it as a FORMULA!
CONCLUSION
January 05, 2017
One could also argue that....
-Support (Textual evidence)
-Reasoning (credibility- you want people to understand why this is
another possibility)
- Refute- Acknowledge its validity or plausibility, but suggest why on
balance it's relatively less important or less likely than what you propose,
and thus doesn't overturn it. Bring the readers attention back to the
original cause ultimately discrediting the counter argument.
EXAMPLE:
One could also argue that Snickers bars are the best chocolate treat.
Statistics show that, "60% of shoppers purchase a Snickers over the
variety of candies at the counter" (Redden 8). It is quite clear that
people find the irresistibly rich taste of a Snickers bar hard to walk away
from. The milk chocolate, caramel, nuts, and nugget prove to be a
delectable combination that people have come to love. Nevertheless, the
Snickers brand is very well known and a rather safe choice. People tend to
stick to what they know which narrows down the selection. If the 100
Grand Bar had a more reputable name, the consumers would be made
more aware of this bars chocolatey goodness.
CONCLUSION:
Restate your thesis! This serves as the dreaded "In conclusion...."
Draw conclusions and summarize the information you presented in your
essay.
END ON A SO WHAT! NOTE: Make the reader think and feel as though
they did not waste their time reading a nonsensical essay.
January 05, 2017
REFLECTION:
WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT FOR OUR UPCOMING ESSAY. PUT YOUR NAME
ON YOUR PAPER! Copy your thesis on a separate piece of paper with your Mark
Twain heading and submit this to me on the way out.
AGAINST: The risks associated with space exploration for colonization outweigh
the benefits because of ______________ and ________________.
FOR: The benefits of exploring space for colonization outweigh the risks
because _____________ and _____________.
Thesis statement:
1. Turn the question into a statement.
2. Keep it general.
3. Make sure it stands alone.
4. It should be the last sentence of the
introduction.