Author's purpose
“The polar ice caps are melting at a record pace.” What’s the purpose?
To Inform
What part of an essay usually contains the thesis?
What is Introduction (first or last sentence of the intro paragraph)
What is exigence?
The issue or event that prompts the writer to respond
What is the conjunction in: “She tried, but she failed.”
What is but
Revise: “She was late because of the fact that her car broke down.”
She was late because her car broke down.
“Join us in the fight to end hunger—donate today.”
What is To Persuade
Identify the thesis: “Many believe standardized testing is a poor measurement of growth in students . Tests like STAAR are created for one type of learner and are ineffective in today's society. Standardized tests limit creativity and do not reflect intelligence.”
What is Tests limit creativity and don’t reflect intelligence.
Identify the tone: “This silence from school officials is unacceptable.”
Frustrated / Outraged
True or False: Dashes are used to connect similar clauses.
What is False ?
What should revision focus on? (List one element)
Clarity, Conciseness, Structure, or Grammar
“I still remember the rain on my face the day she left.
What is To Reflect
Write a qualifying argument thesis statement for the prompt below.
Should schools and society emphasize grit as a necessary trait for success?
What is claim+ reason 1 and reason 2
What is the exigence in this: “Henrietta’s family was never informed about her cells.”
Lack of consent / Medical ethics violation
What’s the effect of dashes in: “He ran—not away—but toward the fire.”
What is emphasis,or interuption?
Revise for clarity: “He didn’t really try very much, to be honest.”
He didn’t try. or He made little effort.
“Explore a world where robots rule and humans hide.”
What is To Entertain
Identify the thesis: “Skloot’s account of Henrietta Lacks reveals the ethical tensions behind scientific discovery, showing how progress can overlook the humanity of those who make it possible. By focusing on Henrietta’s story and her family’s struggles, the book suggests that even in the pursuit of science, respect for human dignity should never be forgotten.
What is Science must respect human dignity.
Tone & exigence: “Our town is shrinking. Businesses close every month.”
Tone: Concerned
Identify conjunctions & dashes: “He studied hard—but still failed—because he panicked.”
What is but/because?
What's wrong here: “The doctor took her cells she did not know.”
Run-on sentence – needs punctuation or conjunction
“Despite overwhelming evidence, many deny climate change. This must stop.”
what is :To Persuade (Urgent + Critical Tone)
Rewrite this vague thesis to make it stronger: “Grit is good.”
Example: "Grit is essential for overcoming adversity and achieving long-term goals."
Describe tone & exigence in: “The oceans are dying, and no one is paying attention.”
Tone: Alarmed/Urgent
Revise using correct punctuation: “She was brilliant and reckless two sides of the same coin.”
What is ,“She was brilliant—and reckless—two sides of the same coin.”
Improve this sentence: “There are a lot of different issues that this raises in my opinion.”
This raises several important issues.