Friday, February 7, 2014

Learning Objectives:
I can...

• plan an expository essay
• organize ideas around one or two subtopics
• craft a working thesis/controlling idea
• draft body paragraphs that support your controlling idea using MEAL plan.

Opening:

1. In small groups of 4-5 students, conduct a socratic seminar discussion about the Article of the Week.

Work Period:

2. In your writing group, continue to brainstorm subtopics, examples, details and information related to the topic.

3. Use your brainstormed ideas to determine your "Big Ideas" about the topic.

4. Answer the Question with a "Working" Controlling Idea/Thesis

5. Review and Organize your notes into an outline.

• Introductory Paragraph:
• Hook
• Working Thesis
• Body Paragraph(s)
• Main Idea/Topic Sentence
• Evidence, details, anecdotes and facts
• Analysis and Commentary about your Evidence
• Link (So What?)
• Conclusion
• Restate Thesis
• Link to Self, the Reader, the World

Closing:

6. If time allows, consider possible hooks that would draw your Reader into the topic you are writing about.