Student Interactive Notetaker - Last Chance Writing Stations

Student Interactive Notetaker - Last Chance Writing Stations STATION 1: Unpacking the Prompt STATION 3: STATION 2: STATION 4: STATION 5: Integrating Evidence Conclusions Topic Introductions Sentences & Transitions DIRECTIONS: Take notes on the critical content from each station and complete the related activities. STATION I: Unpacking the Prompt Do’s: Mark your prompt(highlight) Find what type if essay Find what you have to write about Look back at your prompt OFTEN! Writing Prompt Bullying isn’t something new, but it has certainly changed over the years. Today, with the increased use of the internet, bullying can occur any place, at any time. Write an essay arguing whether or not cyberbullies should be prosecuted for statements they make on social media. Manage your time carefully so that you can Prompt ? (This is the part you mark) read the passages; plan your response; write your response; and Reminders? revise and edit your response. Be sure to More reminders? include a claim; address counterclaims; use evidence from multiple sources; and avoid overly relying on one source. Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided. Step 1: #1 Write your thesis statement Step 2: #2 Brainstorm reasons to support your thesis Writing Prompt #1 Your social studies class is researching both traditional and unexpected heroes. Using the information and examples found in the “Courage and Heroism” passage set, write an expository essay on what it means to be courageous. Manage your time carefully so that you can read the passages; plan your response; write your response; and revise and edit your response. ____________ _______________ means Writing Prompt #2 It’s no secret that sometimes great discoveries come as a result of really big mistakes. But are they always worth the problems they cause? Sometimes the mistakes lead to greatness, and sometimes they lead to disaster. Are mistakes key to making discoveries? Write an essay in which you take a position on whether or not mistakes are a key part of discovery. Use the information presented in the passages to support your points. Make sure to include information from all the passages in your essay. Manage your time carefully so that you can read the passages; plan your response; write your response; and revise and edit your response. _______ means to be Writing Prompt #3 Your art teacher has asked that you write a paper about a specific kind of art. Write an informative essay about art created from found or recycled items. Your essay must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the “Art from Found Items” passage set. Manage your time carefully so that you can read the passages; plan your response; write your response; and revise and edit your response. _____________ yes! Writing Prompt #4 Write an essay for your school newspaper arguing whether playing video games significantly affects physical health. Your essay must be based on the ideas, concepts, and information that can be determined through analysis of the “Do Video Games Have a Major Effect on Players’ Physical Health?” passage set. Manage your time carefully so that you can read the passages; plan your response; write your response; and revise and edit your response. ________ is to be After analyzing all of the prompts, answer this question: What is the purpose of a writing prompt? Writing prompts act as a catalyst for generating ideas and fostering structured writing. Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 STATION 2: Introductions PARTS OF A SATISFYING INTRODUCTION There are 3 parts to an introduction and they should always be written in this order. 1st Part Context/background(2 sentences 2nd Part Transition to Thesis statement (1 sentence) 3rd Part Claim/Thesis ( 1 sentence ) GENERAL TIPS FOR WRITING EACH PART OF AN INTRODUCTION: (Paraphrase) Do’s: Context/ Background Don’ts: DO NOT use evidence or quotes here. Define or describe the topic of your essay DO NOT announce your essay “In this essay I will” briefly Do’s: Don’ts: Use the words of your prompt Claim/ Thesis DO NOT use evidence here If argumentative, make sure you choose a side DO NOT make your wording too efferent from the prompt Be clear! Tone Do’s: Don’ts: Sound formal/professional DO NOT use slang Use 3 person pronouns (he, she, it, one/someone, they) DO NOT use 1st or second person pronouns (I, me, my, us, we, you) IDENTIFY THE PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION PRACTICE Below are 2 sample introductions. Highlight the context/background in BLUE Highlight the transition to the thesis in YELLOW Highlight the claim/thesis in GREEN Sample Introduction #1 Candy can be distracting. Candy can be unhealthy. But candy can also be invaluable. On Valentine’s Day, kids march into school toting teddy bears, balloons, and mountains of candy. Teachers see this as an assault on their classroom. Candy means disruptive kids and messes to clean up later. I think it’s not fair that I cannot celebrate this holiday with my friends. The debate needs to end now. Kids should be allowed to bring candy into school on Valentine’s Day. Did this introduction meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? To determine if the introduction meets the three goals of being satisfying: - It captures interest with relatable statements about candy. - The thesis is clear and straightforward. - The context leads logically to the thesis. Yes, this introduction meets all three goals by being satisfying! Sample Introduction #2 Homelessness, bullying, stereotyping, accessibility for people with disabilities— communities today face a daunting list of big and serious problems. Fortunately, effective leaders who are not afraid to tackle these issues and more are stepping up across the country. Those leaders, however, are rising from an underappreciated, and some might say unexpected, group: teenagers. With creativity and fearlessness, young people today are proving they can create stronger communities than the ones they inherited. Did this introduction meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? 1. It addresses significant social issues, which can draw in the reader. 2. The thesis is clear about the role of teenagers in community improvement. 3. The transition effectively connects the background to the main argument. Yes, this introduction meets all three goals of being satisfying! Sample Introduction #3 The debate about what makes people smart has been going on for a while. Some people say it's all about your genes, while others think it's more about where you grow up and how you're raised. It's a big discussion about how our natural abilities and the world around us shape how smart we are. Genetics plays a big role in how smart we are. The genes we're born with set the stage and make us who we are intellectually. Did this introduction meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? 1. The topic is relatable and provokes thought, appealing to readers' curiosity about intelligence. 2. The thesis is clear and presents a definitive stance. 3.The transition effectively connects the background to the main argument. Yes, this introduction meets all three goals of being satisfying! Sample Introduction #4 Medical discoveries have transformed our understanding of diseases and provided life-saving treatments, yet the ethical implications of these advancements remain a subject of intense debate. The tension between medical progress and individual rights has long been a contentious issue, prompting discussions on whether the benefits of medical discoveries outweigh the rights of patients. While medical discoveries undoubtedly contribute to significant advancements in healthcare, the rights of patients must always take precedence over the pursuit of scientific progress. Did this introduction meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? 1. The introduction addresses a critical and timely issue that engages readers. 2. The thesis is clear and outlines the specific argument. 3. The transition effectively links the context to the main argument. Yes, this introduction meets all three goals of being satisfying! Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 STATION 3: Topic Sentences & Transitions AN EXAMPLE OF A GOOD TOPIC SENTENCE Thesis Statement: Class size can have different effects on students’ educational experience. TS 1: Due to increasing class sizes, students are not getting enough attention in big classes. Ev 1: “overcrowding… don’t get attention” (S1 P3) Ev 2: big class… back of room talking (S2 P17) TOPIC SENTENCES PRACTICE Directions: Below is a writing plan for the claim and 2 body paragraphs. Circle the topic sentences. #1 Analyze this Plan Claim: Mistakes are not a key part of discoveries TS 1: Discoveries can be made through careful planning and hard work Ev 1: “step by step;...discoveries are predicted and proven” (S3 P19) Ev 2: “most mistakes do not lead to discoveries… 99% perspiration” (S1 P2) TS 2: Problems or setbacks Ev 1: “cause problems not progress” (S3 P18) Ev 2: “destroyed evidence...prevented further discoveries” (S2 P8) DIRECTIONS: Explain how good or bad each topic sentence is--measure it against the do’s and don’ts on the station page. Topic Sentence 1 Topic Sentence 2 OVERVIEW OF TRANSITIONS Transitions are the words and phrases that signal a change in the ideas. When used appropriately, transitions make our writing organized and clear by connecting ideas together and creating a logical progression throughout the essay. Transitions form a bridge between ideas by showing how they are related. There are different types of transitions. words and phrases are used at specific times to show how ideas are related. These are the transition words you find on lists ever since you were in elementary school are used to clarify the connection between your evidence and elaboration. They don’t look like transitions because they use normal words and vocabulary. Basic Transition Words/Phrases and their uses: Word Choice Transitions: to clarify cause and effect as a result. .. to introduce examples for example.. . to add more information in addition.. What is a word choice transition? Using the key words from the end of one sentence to start your next sentence, thus creating a flow in your writing. Example: Yes, some researchers have stated that, “kids younger than nine or ten can’t separate reality or make believe so seeing something frightening could have lasting, negative effects.” (Source 1, P.5) These negative effects don’t apply to middle schoolers though. . to contrast information otherwise... to compare much like... TRANSITIONS PRACTICE DIRECTIONS: Below is a good example of how and where to use transitions. Highlight the basic and word choice transitions as you read. Add comments on the side to explain what ideas they are connecting. Claim: Hoverboards are a safety concern to owners around the world. For the companies making hoverboards, it is easy to just think about how many are going to be sold and all the profit they will make. Often in these industries, products are invented without thinking of the people who use them and what could happen to those people. A member of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission told The New York Times that “hoverboard manufacturers, many of them in China, use irregular manufacturing practices.” (Source 1, Paragraph 12) Irregular manufacturing typically refers to not being consistent in how a product is created. For instance, they may not carefully inspect the quality of the materials or the workmanship as the hoverboards are being created. As a consumer, not only would this be disappointing because a product that was carelessly put together is more likely to fall apart, but it could also be downright dangerous. The CPSC is having to “investigat[e] reports of 21 fire incidents across the country” (Source 2, Paragraph 16). These incidents prove the high COMMENTS: probability of mishaps and injuries when companies ignore regulations when creating their boards. If the manufacturers are not using the best practices for creating the device than there can be unforeseen issues with the product such as fires and explosions. Some of these could be major enough to lead to serious injury or death. Using irregular methods for creating the hoverboards can be very risky, especially for the consumer. Companies are taking risks and endangering the people buying the item, presumably, so that they can make an extra dollar. It may be cheaper for companies to not follow every safety regulation, but they are putting people’s lives in danger when their products start exploding. In the long run, these manufacturers may end up with expensive lawsuits as more of their consumers face serious injuries as a result of buying hovercrafts from these companies. Notes from the teacher: Look at the combination of transitions used above. Sometimes the author uses transitional phrases like “For instance” or “not only.” At other times the author uses word choice transitions like “irregular manufacturing” or “incidents.” These transitions help the reader flow through the paragraph but also understand how the separate elements of this paragraph are related. Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 STATION 4: Integrating Evidence Do’s: Always transition into your evidence - - integrate the quote into your sentence Use your own words to introduce evidence Use only the most effective, the strongest part of evidence. Maintain a smooth sentence style Pay attention to punctuation - - quotation marks, ellipsis, and brackets to make sure you are using them correctly LEVEL 1: BASIC INTEGRATION DIRECTIONS: Read the following sentences and practice basic integration of the evidence. Original: Some authors use pen names for freedom. “Many female authors have had to conceal their gender in order to overcome discrimination and get publishers to take them seriously.” (P2) Revised: Many female authors adopted pen names to counter gender discrimination in the publishing industry, allowing them to be taken seriously by publishers Original: Some authors use pen names for freedom. “Victorian culture that discouraged women from having literary aspirations. There were many expectations and limitations placed on Victorian women.” (P6) Revised: In an era when Victorian culture imposed significant expectations and limitations on women artists, many sought to navigate these challenges by using pen names LEVEL 2: ADVANCED INTEGRATION PRACTICE DIRECTIONS: Read the sentences on your student notetaker and practice advanced integration of the evidence. Clip the quote and use ellipses. Original: “Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need.” (P8) Revised: Volunteering not only connects individuals to their communities but also significantly enhances the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need Original: “‘Overcrowding means students don’t get the attention they need from their teachers, they just don’t. They don’t learn as much, they withdraw, they become disruptive, some drop out,’ said Leonie Haimson, a parent who runs Class Size Matters, a group advocating for better student-teacher ratios.” (P3) Revised: As noted by Leonie Haimson, a parent involved with Class Size Matters, "Overcrowding means students don’t get the attention they need from their teachers; they just don’t learn as much, they become disruptive, some drop out" Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5 STATION 5: Conclusions PARTS OF A SATISFYING CONCLUSION There are 3 parts to an introduction and they should always be written in this order. 1st Part 360° ending (1-2 sentences) 2nd Part Restate claim/thesis(1 sentence) 3rd Part Call to action /mic drop(1-2 sentences) GENERAL TIPS FOR WRITING EACH PART OF A CONCLUSION: (Paraphrase) Do’s: 360° Ending Don’ts: DO NOT copy your background exactly Mirror the strategy or your word choice from your context/background DO NOT announce your conclusion “in conclusion” Do’s: Don’ts: DO NOT copy your claim/thesis exactly Restate claim/ thesis Mention your claim/thesis clearly DO NOT restate all your reasons Use slightly different wording DO NOT introduce new evidence Call to Action Do’s: Don’ts: Think about if your audience said “So what?: How would I respond DO NOT use evidence here Bring your audience to the “big picture” about your topic - why should anyone care about this? DO NOT make your wording too different from the prompt Sample Conclusion #1: It's clear that the discussion around balancing medical discoveries and patient rights is complicated. Medical breakthroughs have revolutionized healthcare and helped many people. However, in the pursuit of discoveries, ethics cannot be forgotten. Patients must have a say in what happens to them and be treated with respect when medical discussions are occuring. Moving forward, it is important for scientists and doctors to keep ethics in mind and make sure they're doing things the right way. Society must continue towards medical progress, but never at the expense of treating patients with dignity and giving them a voice in their own healthcare decisions. Did this conclusion meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? Sample Conclusion #2: Candy may have a bad reputation for causing distractions, but for one day out of the year teacher’s should just deal with it. Schools should be allowing students to bring candy for their friends on Valentine’s Day. The world needs more love in it--let kids have their candy-coated fun while they celebrate love and friendship. Did this conclusion meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? Sample Conclusion #3: The debate surrounding the determinants of intelligence remains a complex and multifaceted issue. While some argue for the main influence of genetics on intelligence, others emphasize the significant role of environmental factors. The articles provided offer insights into the complicated nature of intelligence and how genetics and the environment work together. As researchers continue to explore intelligence, society needs to make sure that environments are created that support and encourage learning and growth. Did this conclusion meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? Sample Conclusion #4: The debate about scheduled versus unscheduled leisure time sheds light on how people relax and enjoy themselves. Supporters of scheduling say planning ahead helps people prioritize fun activities and gives them something to look forward to. In order for leisure time to be effective at truly helping one relax, it must happen organically. It's important for each person to find their own balance between structure and spontaneity in their free time. By respecting everyone's different needs and preferences, we can create a more enjoyable and fulfilling leisure time for everyone. Did this conclusion meet all 3 goals for being satisfying? Why or why not? Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Station 5