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Lesson 3

We will finish drafting the Culminating Task essay and begin the revision process.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?

  • Can I sequence and group sentences and paragraphs and use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, evidence, and visual elements to establish coherent, logical, and well-developed explanations in my essay?

  • Can I use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, and evidence to support and elaborate on coherent and logical explanations?

  • Can I apply correct and effective syntax, usage, mechanics, and spelling to communicate ideas and achieve intended purposes?

  • Can I use language and strategies to accomplish my intended purpose in communicating?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Reference Guides

Activity 1: Write

We will write our introductions.

Read over your body paragraphs, and respond to the following question:

  1. What are your big-picture ideas regarding how primary and secondary sources affect storytelling?

The general organization of an introduction is as follows:

  • Begin with a lead "hook" for the reader.

  • Explain your purpose and introduce the topic or issue, or frame the question or prompt you are addressing in your work.

  • Provide any necessary background information for your controlling idea.

  • Present your controlling idea.

Now, draft your introduction paragraph. Refer to the Organization Reference Guide as needed.

Activity 2: Write

We will draft our conclusion paragraphs.

Reread your essay from the beginning.

  1. What are your final thoughts on this topic?

There are a few ways to write your conclusion:

  • You can restate or extend your controlling idea and summarize how it has been developed by the supporting points or claims of your work.

  • You can also add some additional, final thinking that builds on your controlling idea. For example, you can do the following:

    • Discuss the aspects of your response that you did not explore but could be explored.

    • Explain how your response or experiences, observations, or solutions connects to other issues, topics, or ideas.

  • You might also refer to the lead you provided in your introduction.

Now, draft your conclusion paragraph. Refer to the Organization Reference Guide as needed.

Activity 3: Read

We will read and revise our drafts for the Culminating Task.

Use the Connecting Ideas Reference Guide as you read through your essay.

Then, read your draft four different times with a different focus for each.

  • First Read: Focus on connecting your ideas.

  • Second Read: Focus on revising your style.

  • Third Read: Focus on revising your expression.

  • Fourth Read: Focus on editing for conventions.

Activity 4: Write

For homework, we will print out drafts of our essays.

For homework, finish any revisions on your essay. Add an extra line break between paragraphs. Bring two printed copies to class in preparation for peer editing.