First Things First
This is always the first paragraph in an essay.
What is an introductory paragraph
The text says, "Thomas walked in and stood brave and tall without a worry in the world."
What is evidence?
What paragraph must the claim or thesis be stated first?
What is the introduction paragraph?
Writing is a __________________ process:
A - Multi-step
B - Single-step
C - One-class
What is A?
You always need to include this in your conclusion paragraph: A- hook, B- restatement of claim, C- evidence from a text...
What is, B- restatement of claim
These are the middle paragraphs (between the introduction paragraph and conclusion)
What are body paragraphs
Where in the introduction paragraph is the main claim or thesis usually stated?
What is the last sentence?
Before an essay is submitted a student should...
What is edit?
Where in the conclusion paragraph do you remind the reader of your essay why the topic/theme is important?
What is the second sentence of the conclusion?
What is missing: 1. _____________ 2. evidence 3. reasoning
What is a claim or topic sentence?
The three parts should all body paragraphs include...
What is Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning?
Students should always consider their _____________ when editing their essay.
Hint: at least four different answers.
What is...?
- Spelling
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Quotes/Citations
The final sentence of your introduction: where you state your claim about the theme of your chosen text.
What is a thesis statement?
What is the academic term for the first word of the conclusion paragraph?
What is the "transition phrase?"
The type of word or phrase should start each body paragraph.
What is a transition phrase?
What is the claim in this example body paragraph?
"First, the protagonist, Jim Davis, and his journey through the dead 1920’s New York City, shows the effects of discrimination on his fate. For example: at the beginning of the story Jim reflects on the discrimination he has experienced. When he takes food from a hostelry he thinks, “Yesterday they would not have served me” (page 5). This shows that Jim is only able to experience the privileges of white men once everyone in New York City and the comet has changed his fate."
What is the protagonist, Jim Davis's journey?
What is missing in this paragraph?
"Jemsin’s characterization of the dynamic protagonist shows the joy he experiences at expressing himself in his own skin, just like the people of Earth. On page 24 the speaker says, “How easily seduced you are. You can’t stop staring at these people, at these landscapes, at these horizons. You’ve stopped flinching with every breeze, and now you revel in the sensation of air caressing your new skin, like a hedonist.”
What is reasoning?
Identify and explain the important information clearly stated in this introductory paragraph.
"W. E. B. DuBois’s speculative fiction short story, “The Comet,” 1920, persuades his audience of African-Americans and speculative fiction enjoyers to consider the intersection between fate and discrimination. He uses a mystical tone to share the message that discrimination doesn’t have to be written in the stars."
- Clearly states and introduces the text title, author, type/genre, and publication date.
- Clearly states the subject of the text.
- Clearly states the tone of the text.
- Includes a claim about the theme of the text.
The most important information included in this example conclusion paragraph?
Overall, W. E. B. DuBois uses his protagonist, word choice, and imagery to show how discrimination changes fate. While the story ends on a bittersweet note, by showing that the stars can change, he proves that fate can too.
- Transition phrase
- Re-state the claim and summarize sub-claims.
- Concludes by showing why the theme is important in real life.
After providing evidence, the reasoning acts as a _____________, showing the connection between the claim, the sub-claim, and the evidence.
What is the reasoning?
How is the sub-claim in this paragraph connected to the Thesis?
Thesis: "DuBois uses a mystical tone to share the message that discrimination doesn’t have to be written in the stars."
Body Paragraph: "First, the protagonist, Jim Davis, and his journey through the dead 1920’s New York City, shows the effects of discrimination on his fate. For example: at the beginning of the story Jim reflects on the discrimination he has experienced. When he takes food from a hostelry he thinks, “Yesterday they would not have served me” (page 5). This shows that Jim is only able to experience the privileges of white men once everyone in New York City and the comet has changed his fate."
Answers may vary:
- The sub-claim is about Jim Davis's fate and how he has experienced discrimination. The claim/thesis is about how discrimination is not fate.
What reasoning would you provide to improve this paragraph? Write your response on the whiteboard with your team.
Bonus points if the response directly references either characterization or specific word choice.
"Jemisin’s characterization of the dynamic protagonist shows the joy he experiences at expressing himself in his own skin, just like the people of Earth. On page 24 the speaker says, “How easily seduced you are. You can’t stop staring at these people, at these landscapes, at these horizons. You’ve stopped flinching with every breeze, and now you revel in the sensation of air caressing your new skin, like a hedonist.”
Answers may vary: The response should include adequate reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.
Bonus points if the response directly references either characterization or specific word choice.