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Lesson 7

We will draft introductions and conclusions for our narrative reflections. We will revise and edit our drafts so that we are prepared to submit them in the following lesson.

Lesson Goals

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

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

  • 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 narratives, explanations, and arguments?

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

  • Can I use effective formatting, style, and citations to present ideas for specific audiences and purposes?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will write our introductions.

Read over your body paragraphs and consider the following questions:

  1. What are your overall reflections about your postsecondary pathway and life goals?

  2. What will your life look like after high school?

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. Now consider the following questions:

  1. What are your final thoughts on this topic?

  2. What will you do to prepare yourself for the life you desire after high school?

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.

Read through your entire essay. Focus on the coherence of your ideas. Make revisions as necessary. You might use the Connecting Ideas Reference Guide to assist you.

Activity 4: Read

We will review and learn more about the expression, grammar, and usage concepts that have been focused on in this unit.

Participate in a class discussion about how to improve the clarity and power of expression in your writing.

Access your Mentor Sentence Journal. Follow along as your teacher reviews the grammar and usage concepts.

Activity 5: Write

We will finish revising and editing our drafts for homework.

For homework, finish making final revisions and edits to your narrative reflection. Be prepared to submit the final draft to your teacher in the next lesson.