Grammar & Mechanics
Correct the sentence: “Their going to the library after school.”
They’re going to the library after school.
What is a thesis statement in an analytical essay ?
A clear, arguable claim that explains what the text reveals about a theme, issue, or idea, supported by evidence from the text.
What is the purpose of a topic sentence?
To introduce the main idea of a paragraph.
Which rhetorical appeal relies on logic and reasoning?
Logos
How many times should you read over your written work?
3x - 1st draft, 2nd draft, Final
Choose the correct sentence: A. “Who did you give the book to?” B. “To whom did you give the book?”
B
Identify the weakness in this thesis: “Technology affects society in many ways.”
Too Vague, lacks specific arguable claim
Name three elements of an effective introduction.
A hook, background information and a thesis statement.
Identify the device: “The alarm clock screamed at me this morning.”
Personification
Replace the vague word with a more precise one: “The results were very bad.”
“detrimental,” “ineffective,” or “unsuccessful.”
Correct the sentence: “The committee have reached their decision.”
The committee has reached its decision.
What distinguishes an argumentative thesis from an informative thesis?
An argumentative thesis presents a clear, debatable claim that requires evidence and reasoning.
A student writes: “There are many reasons why injustice exists in Killers of the Flower Moon.” What is wrong with this topic sentence?
It is too vague, lacks a specific claim, and does not preview clear supporting ideas.
What is the purpose of rhetorical devices?
The purpose of rhetorical devices is to enhance a writer’s message by making it more persuasive, impactful, and engaging for the audience. They help develop tone, emphasize key ideas, and strengthen the effectiveness of an argument or text.
Revise: “The investigators in the case of the Osage murders were not very effective, they didn’t really try hard enough to find the truth and often missed obvious clues that should have helped them solve it.”
The investigators in the Osage murders case were not effective because they did not try hard enough to find the truth and often missed obvious clues that could have helped solve it.
Identify and correct the error: “She wanted to go to the concert, however she had to work.”
She wanted to go to the concert; however, she had to work.
Revise the thesis to make it more specific: “School policies should change.”
Sample Answer: “High schools should implement later start times to improve student mental health, attendance, and academic performance.”
Provide Evidence and Analysis: In Killers of the Flower Moon, police officers were corrupt and/or untrained because…
page 61
Identify the rhetorical strategy in this statement: “As a lifelong educator, I understand the challenges teachers face.”
Ethos
Revise the sentence to active voice: “The novel was written by Toni Morrison.”
Toni Morrison wrote the novel.
Although the students studied for the exam, they was still unprepared many of them had forgotten to review the final chapter. the teacher, along with the assistants, were surprised by the results and theyre disappointment was clear. Each of the essays were filled with errors, its evident that more time should have been spent on proofreading.
Although the students studied for the exam, they were still unprepared; many of them had forgotten to review the final chapter. The teacher, along with the assistants, was surprised by the results, and their disappointment was clear. Each of the essays was filled with errors; it is evident that more time should have been spent on proofreading.
Write a strong, defensible thesis for the prompt:
How does David Grann use the Osage murders to develop a larger commentary about American society?
In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann uses the Osage murders to critique systemic racism and institutional corruption in American society, illustrating how greed and prejudice allowed injustice to flourish unchecked in the early twentieth century.”
What makes an essay effective as a whole (not just in individual paragraphs)?
An essay is effective as a whole when it has a clear thesis, logical organization, strong use of evidence, and consistent analysis that connects all body paragraphs back to the main argument, creating a unified and purposeful message.
What is the author's tone in Killers of the Flower Moon?
The author’s tone is investigative, serious, and critical, as he carefully exposes corruption, injustice, and systemic racism while maintaining a factual, journalistic approach.
Improve clarity and sophistication: “A lot of people think social media is bad for teens.”
Sample Answer: “Many researchers argue that social media negatively affects adolescents’ mental health.”