powered writing © 2011 evaluating the prompt what to write about… write on!
TRANSCRIPT
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Evaluating the Prompt
What to write about…
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Evaluating the Prompt
Spend some time on the following steps:• What type of essay are you writing?
– Expository? Explain– Persuasive? Convince or persuade
• What exactly are you supposed to write about?• Identify advanced vocabulary
– Which words from the prompt should you include in your essay?
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Example:
Prompt:Many people take great
pride in exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen.
Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen.
Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen.
Write On!
•What type of essay are you writing?
•Explain = Expository essay
•What exactly are you supposed to write about?
•Exhibit•Characteristics•Citizen
•Explain what makes a person a good citizen.
•Identify advanced vocabulary:
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Practice:
Prompt: Many people are dog-
lovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets.
Think about which pet you think is better.
Now write to persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet.
Write On!
•What type of essay are you writing?
•Persuade= Persuasive essay
•What exactly are you supposed to write about?
•Prefer•Pet•Animal
•Persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet.
•Identify advanced vocabulary:
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits
Gather your thoughts…IDEAS
IDEASIDEAS!
Write On!
Powerful & Significant
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Activate Prior Knowledge
• After reading the prompt, write down all the thoughts you have about the subject.
• Use your own knowledge base to get you started.
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Use Character Traits• Using the following character traits (or variations) will help
make your writing powerful and effective.– Responsibility / Responsible– Respect / Respectful– Kindness / Kind– Citizenship / Citizen– Honesty / Honest– Self-Control– Tolerance / Tolerant– Cooperation / Cooperate
• Try to incorporate at least one character trait into each essay you write.
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
List ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits
Prompt:Many people take great pride
in exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen.
Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen.
Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen.
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
List ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits
Write On!
Prompt: Many people are dog-
lovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets.
Think about which pet you think is better.
Now write to persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet.
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Thesis StatementsYour road map to a great essay!
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Thesis Statements
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Important Facts about Thesis StatementsImportant Facts about Thesis Statements• Avoid first person personal pronouns (most of the time) *
I * me * my * we * us * our *• Avoid narrative elements: * I think * I believe * I want *
I should * My reasons * My opinion• Avoid using the words you, you’re, your (anywhere in
the essay!) Do not “speak” to the reader• Avoid abbreviations, symbols, or “IM talk” • USE capital letters and commas correctly• List reasons in a standard thesis: strongest, weak, strong
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Important Facts about Thesis StatementsImportant Facts about Thesis Statements• Capitalize first word of a new sentence and proper nouns• Never place a comma before or after because• Commas in a series for reasons (a, b, conjunction c) • Always check your thesis for agreement and revise!
Vending machines should be in our school because they make money, offer choices, and hungry.
Write On!
provided inS
they students get
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Steps to develop Thesis Statement
• Evaluate ideas – Choose the best ideas– Incorporate a character trait
• Analyze word choice– Choose powerful words – Use wording from prompt
Write On!
Kick it
up!
Kick it
up!
Will an implied thesis work for your style?
Decide which type of thesis will flow with your writing.
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Standard & Implied Thesis Statements
Write On!
Kick it up!
Kick it up!
Will an implied thesis work for your style?
A Standard Thesis Statement lists the main ideas, which will make up the body of the essay, right in the statement.
An Implied Thesis Statement alludes to the ideas which will follow, but it does not list them in the statement.
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Example:Prompt:Many people take great pride in
exhibiting the characteristics of a good citizen.
Think about what types of characteristics make up a good citizen.
Now write to explain what makes a person a good citizen.
Choose best ideas:• Obeys rules/laws• Helps others in
community• Show respect
Write On!
Thesis Statement:Being a good citizen means demonstrating obedience for laws, respect, and cooperation within one’s community.
Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement:Since we are all part of society, it is imperative to demonstrate the qualities of an upstanding citizen.
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Writing an Implied Thesis Statement
• Before you write an implied thesis, make sure to evaluate and choose the best ideas.
• Decide on the main focus of the essay.• For a persuasive essay, note an opposing viewpoint.• Follow the formula: LB, S when writing an implied
thesis statement.
Write On!
Kick it up!Kick it up!
Before writing, let’s review the formula: LB, S
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Writing an LB, S
• An LB, S is a Left Branch (subordinate clause) followed by a complete sentence.
• A subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and is followed by a subject and a verb.
Although rock music is popular
A subordinate clausedoes NOT make sense by itself.
Although rock music is popular, I prefer to submerge myself in the melodies of classical music.
PowerEd Writing © 2011
IMPORTANT: You need to be able to recognize
subordinating conjunctions.
sincesinceasas
becausebecause
beforebefore
afterafter untiuntill
so thatso that
even thougheven though
unlessunlessalthougalthoughh
whenwhen
whilewhile
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Writing a Persuasive Implied Thesis
• When you are writing a persuasive essay, an implied thesis statement will allow you to address an opposing viewpoint but place the focus on your point.
• Format the “left branch” to address the opposing viewpoint.
While backpack searches may seem like an invasion of privacy, the safety of students, faculty, and staff is the primary concern.
Kick it up!
Kick it up!
Will an implied thesis work for your style?
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Practice:
Prompt:
Many people are dog-lovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets.
Think about which pet you think is better.
Now write to persuade the reader which animal makes the best pet.
Write On!
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Thesis Statements
•Choose 3 best ideas•Modify word choice
PowerEd Writing © 2011
Write Thesis Statement
Without a doubt, a dog makes the best pet because it is a loyal companion, a guardian, and always active.
Write On!
Kick it up!
Kick it up!
Will an implied thesis work for your style?
Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement:Although some people feel a cat is the best pet, a dog truly makes the ultimate companion.