Informational
What is the purpose of writing and informational essay?
The purpose is to inform the reader about the topic by using text evidence and elaboration. You are teaching the reader!
What is the purpose of writing an opinion essay?
The purpose is to share your opinion about a topic using text evidence and elaboration.
What type of paragraphs do you put text evidence into?
Body Paragraphs
R1, R2, and R3
T1, T2, and T3
What is the purpose of elaboration?
The purpose of elaboration is to use your voice to explain the text evidence in your own words and to share your own thoughts. This shows the reader that you are able to form your own thoughts based on text evidence.
How many reasons or topics should you have in your essays?
3!!!
Which one of these is a good topic sentence for an informational essay? A.) I think that cats are better than dogs because... B.) In my opinion, kids should have phones because... C.) In this essay you will learn about tigers and why they are going extinct...
C
True or False: You should not share your opinion in your introduction paragraph.
False
How many pieces of text evidence are you asked to use in each body paragraph?
Two
True or False: You should elaborate in your introduction paragraph.
False! Elaboration is used in your body paragraphs to further explain your text evidence.
What should come first in your introduction paragraph (after you indent)?
Hook/Lead/Grabber/Attention Getter
Create a topic sentence based on the following prompt:
Write an informative essay about why schools should have a four day school week instead of a five day school week.
EXAMPLE: Schools should have a four day school week because students need a break, it would make school mean more, and students would be more focused.
Write a thesis statement (sentence where you share your opinion and three reasons) based on the following prompt:
Write an opinion essay about whether or not students should have to do homework on the weekends.
Example: In my opinion, students should not have to do homework on the weekends because they need more time with their family, they work hard all week in school, and there is no proof that homework actually helps kids.
What are some ways you can introduce your text evidence?
According to source (Number)...
In the article titled...
According to (Author's name)...
Write a sentence of elaboration based on this text evidence:
According to source 1, "students who have cell phones are able to help each other with their homework."
Example: I completely agree with this because I have helped my friends when they forget what our homework is for math. Texting is a good way to help each other remember what our homework is!
What is it called if you directly quote your text evidence but do not give credit to the author or article?
Plagiarism or Cheating
Write a topic sentence based on these three topics: 1. Students benefit from doing homework.
2. Homework can help students and parents spend time together.
3. Homework teaches students responsibility.
EXAMPLE: The topics that I will use to explain why homework is good is because students benefit from doing homework, homework can help students and parents spend time together, and homework teaches students responsibility.
Write a thesis statement (sentence where you share your opinion and your three reasons) based on the following supporting reasons:
1.) Four day school weeks help students focus.
2.) Three day weekends give students more time with family.
3.) Four day school weeks would make school more meaningful.
Example: In my opinion, a four day school week would be better because a four day school week helps students focus, three day weekends would give students more time with their families, and four day school weeks would make school more meaningful.
True or False: You only have to use text evidence in one of your body paragraphs.
False! You should use text evidence in all of your body paragraphs!
Write a sentence of elaboration based on this text evidence:
According to the article by Smith, manatees have a slow birth rate which causes them to be at risk.
Example: This tells me that manatees do not have a lot of babies. This could definitely cause them to go extinct if they keep getting run over by those boats!
True or False: It is a good idea to include your topic/thesis in your conclusion along with your three big reasons or sub-topics.
True!!
Write two sentences of elaboration based on this text evidence:
"But panthers released into the wild have a hard time, especially the males. Most have died."
EXAMPLE: This is really sad because people are trying to do the right thing when they release panthers back into the wild. We could help them by making sure they are released in an area that is safe for them.
Write a sentence of elaboration based on the following text evidence:
According to source 1, "manatees are at risk because they do not move fast enough to get out of the way of speedboats."
Example: This is just one example of why speedboats need to go slower. The manatees are helpless because they can't swim very fast which means they will get killed by these crazy boats!
Which one of these is not text evidence?
A.) According to source 1, panthers are at risk.
B.) In the article by Smith, I read that panthers have a shrinking habitat.
C.) Panthers are losing their habitat which is sad.
D.) According to Panthers at Risk, panthers can sometimes get run over by cars.
C.
Which of the following elaboration sentences best fits this evidence: In source 1 I read that students with phones are able to prevent bullying by texting a bullying hotline.
A.) That means they can let someone know about the bullying by texting.
B.) I like to text.
C.) Bullying is not a nice thing.
D.) Do you like hotlines?
A. This answer further explains how students can use a phone to prevent bullying.
True or False: You should read the sources or articles first, and then you should read your prompt to figure out what you are writing about.
FALSE!!!! READ THE PROMPT FIRST!!!!