Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thesis-based Writing (9/22)

Today we will
  • Read about and discuss thesis-based writing
  • Review sample claims and theses in response to a CAT reading
  • Work in groups to create a claim and a thesis for a second CAT reading
  • Work individually to create a claim and a thesis for a third CAT reading 
  • Reflect on what we have learned

A.  UNDERSTANDING THESIS-BASED WRITING
  1. Review the CAT prompt (page 10 of the packet). Discuss: Significant Idea.
  2. Read "Thesis-based Writing" (page 3). Discuss: Topic, Claim, Reasons, Thesis Statement, Topic Sentence.
  3. Re-read "How To do One Thing at a Time" (page 11) and examine the professor's claims and theses for "How To Do One Thing at a Time" (page 13).

B. GROUP WORK: WRITING CLAIM + REASONS = THESIS 
Type the following in an MSWord document:
  1. A significant idea from "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" (page 16). 
  2. A group Claim that responds to this main idea. 
  3. Group Reasons that support the group Claim.
  4. A Thesis that is a combination of your group Claim and group Reasons. 
  5. Paste all of the above HERE.

    C. ON YOUR OWN: WRITING CLAIM + REASONS = THESIS
    Type the following in an MSWord document
    1. A significant idea from "I Know the Truth, so Don't Bother me with Facts" (page 17). 
    2. A Claim that responds to this main idea. 
    3. Reasons that support your Claim.
    4. A Thesis that is a combination of your Claim and Reasons. 
    5. Open Blog 2 and paste all of the above UNDER your summary of "I Know the Truth, so Don't Bother me with Facts." 

      D. REFLECTING ON THESIS STATEMENTS
      In MSWord, type a brief reflection of what you have learned about summary that answers the questions below. Paste it HERE. Sign it with your first name or a pseudonym/nickname.
      • What did you learn from thinking and discussing Significant Idea, Claim, Reasons, Thesis Statement? 
      • What did you learn from writing a Thesis Statement with your group?
      • What did you learn from writing a Thesis Statement on your own?
      • How could organizing your writing around a thesis statement make you a better writer?
      HOMEWORK: Outlining  Claim, Reasons, and Evidence 
      1. Read "Organizing Your Essay Around a Thesis" (page 4).
      2. Look at "Persuasion Map" (page 5).
      3. Read "Professor's Development  of a Claim and Thesis for 'How to Do One Thing at a Time'" (pages 14-15).