Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

What to write?!?
Write On!

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Evaluating the Prompt Spend some time on the following steps:

Determine the type of essay you are writing. Explanatory? Explain or inform Argumentative? Opinion or belief

Narrative?

Tell a story

Analyze the topic of the prompt What exactly are you supposed to write about? Identify advanced vocabulary Which words in the prompt should you include in the essay?

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.
What type of essay are you writing?
Explain = Explanatory essay What exactly are you supposed to write about? Explain what makes a person a good citizen.

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!

Identify advanced vocabulary:

Exhibit Characteristics Citizen

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.
What type of essay are you writing?
Opinion = Argumentative essay What exactly are you supposed to write about? Your opinion about which animal makes the best pet. Identify advanced vocabulary: Prefer Pet Animal

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 present your opinion about which animal makes the best pet.
Write On!

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits

Gather your thoughts IDEAS IDEAS IDEAS!
Write On!

Powerful & Significant

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Activate Prior Knowledge

Read the prompt carefully make sure you understand what the subject is. Write down all thoughts you have about the subject. Use your own knowledge base to get started.
Write On!

Evaluating the Prompt General Statement

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Use Character Traits

Using the following character traits (or variations) will help make your writing powerful and effective. Responsibility Kindness Respect Citizenship Honesty Self-Control Tolerance Cooperation

If appropriate, try to incorporate at least one character trait into each essay you write.

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Avoid first person pronouns (most of the time) * I * me * my * we * us * our * Avoid narrative elements (unless you are writing an Argumentative essay) * I think * I believe * I want * I should * My reasons * My opinion Avoid using the words you, youre, 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

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Important 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 provided in revise! Vending machines should be in our school because they make money, offer choices, and hungry.
they students get

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

List Ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits obeys Prompt: rules Many people take great & laws respect the pride in exhibiting the environment 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!
picks up trash
Good Citizen

helps others

honest

kindness

respectful

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

List Ideas by using Prior Knowledge & Character Traits

Prompt: Many people are doglovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets.

Cats

Calming Cuddly Friendly Playful Easy to care for

Fish

Think about which pet you think is better.

Now write to present your opinion about which animal makes the best pet.

Quiet Provide a peaceful environment Easy care

Dog
Write On!

Playful Loyal Protector Mans best friend Active

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Thesis Statement

Your Road Map to a Great Essay!

Write On!

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Thesis Statements

Last sentence in introduction

Can stand on its own

Thesis Statement

Answers question posed in prompt

Prepares reader for rest of essay

Write On!

Clear and to the point

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Steps to develop Thesis Statements

Evaluate Ideas
Choose best Incorporate a character trait if you can

Analyze Word Choice

Will an implied thesis work for Choose powerful words your style? Use wording from the prompt Decide which type of thesis Double Check Conventions will flow with your writing. Check spelling and punctuation Be sure everything agrees in case, tense, and number Parallel structure is evident

Use time-order transitions to begin each statement

First, Next, Last

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Standard & Implied

Thesis Statements
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.
Write On!

Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Example - Detail Statements or a Thesis Statement: 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

Thesis Statement: Kick it up! Use an Implied Thesis Statement:

Being a good means demonstrating Since we are citizen all part of society, it is obedience for respect, and cooperation imperative to laws, demonstrate the qualities of within ones community. an upstanding citizen.
Write On!

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

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. Kick it

up!

Write On!

Before writing, lets review the formula: LB, S

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Writing an LB, S
An LB, S is a Left Branch (subordinate clause) followed by a complete sentence.

A subordinate begins with a subordinating Although rock clause music is popular, I prefer to conjunction and is followed by a subject and a verb. submerge myself in the melodies of classical music.usic.

Although rock music is popular

Write On!

A subordinate clause does NOT make sense by itself.

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

IMPORTANT: You need to be able to recognize subordinating conjunctions.

after
although as

even though
before since so that

until
unless when

because
Write On!

while

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Writing an Argumentative Implied Thesis

When you are writing an Argumentative 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.
Write On!

Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Prompt:

Practice

Many people are doglovers while many others prefer cats or other animals as pets. Think about which pet you think is better.
Now write to present your opinion about which animal makes the best pet.

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Evaluate Ideas & Analyze Word Choice for Thesis Statements

Choose 3 best ideas Modify word choice
Dogs are the Best Pet Mans Best Friend

Loyal

Playful

Protector

Active

Loyal companion

Guardian

Evaluating the Prompt Thesis

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject.

Write Thesis Statement

Kick it up!a Use an Implied Thesis Statement: Without doubt, a dog makes the best Although some people feel a cat is thea pet because it is a loyal companion, best pet, a and dog truly makes the ultimate guardian, always active.

companion.

Will an implied thesis work for your style?

Write On!