1. Persuasive Research Essay Outline
Let’s look over the outline of this essay.
Notice the amount of sentences required per paragraph.
Notice how much evidence is required to support your ideas.

2. The most important SENTENCE in any text!
Thesis Statements 101
The most important SENTENCE in any text!

3. A GOOD thesis sentence has three main parts:
the limited subject (what your paper is about),
the precise opinion (what you're trying to say about that subject), and
the essay map (a brief outline of how you're going to support your claim – should explain “HOW” or “WHY” your idea/opinion is right or strong; Rationale)

4. Basic Example Subject: Restoring old houses (Circle the subject)
Opinion: Restoring old houses is rewarding. (underline the opinion)
Essay map: It is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying. (box the essay map)

5. Basic Thesis Statement
>Use “BECAUSE” to put it all together into a Basic Thesis Statement:
Restoring old houses is rewarding BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.

6. Strong Thesis Statement
>Use qualifiers like ALTHOUGH, WHEN, IF and revise vocabulary into a Strong Thesis Statement:
When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.

7. Revision: BASIC to STRONG
Restoring old houses is rewarding BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.
When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.

8. Dr. Thesis: Diagnosis
Each of the following thesis patients has a sickness. Diagnose the problem and give a prescription. Which part of the thesis is present and which is missing? 1) Chefs are better than cooks. 2) Steroid abuse 3) Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years. 4) I enjoy white water rafting.

9. Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
Chefs are better than cooks.
Chefs are better than cooks because chefs have more education, are more professional, and are creative with the food they create.
ALTHOUGH both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.

10. Your Turn to Play Dr. Thesis
For each student thesis, diagnose the problem and the prescription needed. Which part of the thesis is present and which is missing?
Determine if it is Weak, Basic, Great, or Strong.
Revise the thesis into a Great or Strong Thesis.

11. DAILY What is a thesis statement? Why is it important?
Homework: get a company journal, choose 3 essay examples, sketch your park
Song: “Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars – Pajama Day 
What is a thesis statement? Why is it important?
What 3 main parts are needed in every good thesis statement?
What is a qualifier?
A word or phrase modifies the meaning of another word or phrase.

12. Keep this work out and available for the period….
Stapled article packet – please staple the 3 SQPRS/GIST worksheets to the top of the article packet and staple the 3 new articles to the back of the packet

13. Company meeting
What are your next steps? Your company must create at least 3 promotional materials (poster, brochure, website, commercial, etc.) Decide who is going to do what. Start sketching out your park.
Potential tasks to assign:
Begin visual layout of the park
Create poster
Create brochure
Create website
Design characters and/or symbols to display on exhibition night

14. DAILY What 3 examples did you write last night?
Homework: journal, complete 3 E’s chart
Song: “Is There A Ghost” by Band of Horses – to get us into the Halloween spirit  Happy Twin Day!
What 3 examples did you write last night?
Complete the following BASIC thesis statement using your 3 examples:
Basic Thesis Statement: Benefactors should invest in the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park section of Andy Town because (1st reason) , (2nd reason) and (3rd reason) .

15. Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
Steroid abuse
Steroids should be banned from sports.
Steroids should be banned from sports BECAUSE athletes tend to abuse them.
Steroids, even those legally available, are addictive and should be banned from sports.

16. Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.
Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years BECAUSE it gives kids a way of expressing themselves and is an example of poetry found in the streets.
Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop music offers urban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of the street.

17. Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
I enjoy white water rafting.
I enjoy white water rafting BECAUSE it is challenging and transforming.
A first water rafting experience can challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.
Although white water rafting can be dangerous, a first water rafting experience can actually challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.

18. Student Theses
1. Republican presidents have contributed to the “American Dream” more so than the Democrats.
Present: subject, opinion
Missing: essay map
Basic
Strong: Republican presidents have contributed to the “American Dream” more so than the Democrats by lowering taxes and increasing job supply.

19. Strong Student Theses
With your partner, choose the best STRONG thesis statements for the numbers assigned.
If one of your names is called, be prepared to share your answers with the class.

20. Writing Section – Write a STRONG thesis statement.
It is now time to apply your knowledge and understanding of thesis statements.
Prompt:
Why should benefactors invest in your theme park section? What makes your ideas innovative with a potential for success?
Basic Thesis Statement: Benefactors should invest in the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park section of Andy Town because (1st reason) , (2nd reason) and (3rd reason) .

21. Please take out your body paragraphs.
DAILY
Please take out your body paragraphs.
Homework: complete first essay draft, journal
Song: “This is Halloween” by Marilyn Manson – Rachel Happy Halloween!
What is a topic sentence?
What is a closing/transition sentence?
Make a quote sandwich.
“There is a reason why when most people think of ‘theme park’ they think of Disney.” –

22. Journaling the Journey
Beginning tonight, your company needs to journal the journey of designing and building your theme park.
Each entry should be about 2 pages and should describe the challenges and triumphs you’ve experienced.
Each entry should:
Include the date
Be hand-written (Neatly! Organization matters!)
Be 2 pages
Include detailed descriptions of the team process
Include sketches and doodles that are inspiring your theme park design (handwritten or computer/magazine images)
Be written from the perspective of a theme park designer!

23. Design roles
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) - As CEO Joe leads all Thinkwell operations; from live shows and events, to multi-scale developments and educational experiences, he keeps teams focused, on schedule and on budget.
Creative Director - In the themed entertainment industry, Dave is the ideal hybrid of passionate fan and creative professional. At Thinkwell, he offers creative leadership, strong vision and ever-inventive ways to approach a problem with confidence.
Production Manager - Ryan has worked with Thinkwell since the company's inception, earning the nickname "Employee #2". As Production Manager, he manages the day-to-day production elements, facilitating the creative and administrative process to deliver the project on time and on budget.
Client Relations - At Thinkwell, Kirsten manages client relationships - increasing their understanding of the Thinkwell process and communicating the priorities of our clients to our production teams, thereby ensuring that our clients' goals are realized.
Finance Manager - As the Manager of Finance for Thinkwell Group, Steven is responsible for analyzing project costs, managing cash flow, and most importantly, distributing paychecks to the hard-working Thinkwell team, making him incredibly popular on Friday afternoons.
Visit for more options! Click on Our People and explore the different positions available. Read the bios for ideas about what to discuss in your journal entries.

24. Journal Entry Example October 30, 2011
Today was especially difficult. As the theme park’s Creative Director, I was challenged on many levels today. My team was working to construct our park’s main attraction, the Twisty Turner, when we stumbled upon a major problem. We do not have enough tracks to complete the course! Our benefactors supplied us with the budget we asked for, but it turns out that we need more money! What are we going to do? …

25. Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence Example Evidence Explanation
Introduces the main argument in the paragraph.
Example
An example from your business plan that supports your thesis.
Evidence
Research that supports why an existing local theme park is not as special as yours.
Explanation
Explain why the quote supports your argument.
Do not say, “This quote is important because…”
Closing/Transition Sentence
Wrap up your thoughts. Connect to the example in the next paragraph.

26. Transitions Also And Besides Furthermore In addition In fact Indeed
Moreover
So too
Link the 2 examples together.
Not only does Pirate Land offer family fun for everyone, it also provides an affordable admission price.
In addition to offering family fun for everyone, Pirate Land is also reasonably priced.

27. Quote Blending Practice
Turn to the 4th page of your essay packet.
We will practice QUOTE BLENDING…the art of blending your chosen evidence into your essay.

28. Quote Blending What is a quote?
A quote is a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker.

29. How to make a quote sandwich

30. A quote sandwich has 3 main parts
Context
Quote
Explanation (Analysis)

31. An example of a quote sandwich
According to the website “Disneyland has almost 60 rides and a host of other attractions.” Although Disneyland offers exciting family fun for its patrons, the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park tops Mickey’s palace when it comes to roller coaster offerings. From merry-go-rounds to coaters high the sky, the Pirate Park has rides the entire family can enjoy, including teenagers. While Disneyland mostly caters to its young customers, this park is fun for everyone.

32. 1. Context Where in the article the quotation is from
Which author said or thought it
What is happening at that moment
Example:
According to the website “Disneyland has almost 60 rides and a host of other attractions.” Although Disneyland offers exciting family fun for its patrons, the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park tops Mickey’s palace when it comes to roller coaster offerings. From merry-go-rounds to coaters high the sky, the Pirate Park has rides the entire family can enjoy, including teenagers. While Disneyland mostly caters to its young customers, this park is fun for everyone.

33. 2. Quotation Should not be too long Must be punctuated correctly
Must be followed by the correct MLA citation
Example:
According to the website “Disneyland has almost 60 rides and a host of other attractions.” Although Disneyland offers exciting family fun for its patrons, the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park tops Mickey’s palace when it comes to roller coaster offerings. From merry-go-rounds to coaters high the sky, the Pirate Park has rides the entire family can enjoy, including teenagers. While Disneyland mostly caters to its young customers, this park is fun for everyone.

34. Punctuating the quote
Ms. Anderson said, “the quote will start with a lower case letter if you lead into it” (
The period goes after the parenthesis.
Unless already stated, the website should be in parentheses after the quote.
According to Ms. Anderson yelled, “…and sit down everyone!”
Use an ellipsis (…) to indicate extracted information.

35. 3. Explanation (Analysis)
Your interpretation
Explain how it supports your thesis statement (your argument)
Describe what the quote reveals
Example:
According to the website “Disneyland has almost 60 rides and a host of other attractions.” Although Disneyland offers exciting family fun for its patrons, the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park tops Mickey’s palace when it comes to roller coaster offerings. From merry-go-rounds to coaters high the sky, the Pirate Park has rides the entire family can enjoy, including teenagers. While Disneyland mostly caters to its young customers, this park is fun for everyone.

36. Quote Sandwich…mmm…delicious!
Context
Quote
Explanation
According to the website “Disneyland has almost 60 rides and a host of other attractions.” Although Disneyland offers exciting family fun for its patrons, the Pirate’s Adventure Theme Park tops Mickey’s palace when it comes to roller coaster offerings. From merry-go-rounds to coaters high the sky, the Pirate Park has rides the entire family can enjoy, including teenagers. While Disneyland mostly caters to its young customers, this park is fun for everyone.

37. Practice Quote Blends
“Legoland has 50 attractions in 10 themed areas, including not-too-scary “pink knuckle” rides, live shows and interactive attractions.” –USA Today 10/14/11
“There is a reason why when most people think of “theme park” they think of Disney.” –

38. Checking for Understanding
What is a topic sentence?
What is a closing sentence?
How many pieces of evidence should be in each body paragraph?
How many explanation sentences per piece of evidence do you need?

39. Rubric Explanation
4 = 6 complete worksheets with signatures, all 6 annotated articles with signatures
3 = 5 complete worksheets with signatures, at least 5 annotated articles with signatures
2 = 4 complete worksheets with signatures, at least 4 annotated articles with signatures
1 = 3 or less complete worksheets with signatures, 3 or less annotated articles with signatures

40. Please take out your first essay draft.
DAILY
Please take out your first essay draft.
Skill: Essay Structure, Thesis Statements, MLA
Homework: Essay due tomorrow!, Journal
Song: “November Rain” by Guns & Roses – for the new month!
When I say, “your paper must be typed in MLA format,” what do I mean? **What does MLA stand for?
List 3 MLA format rules. (Look for the MLA handout!)
What is a Works Cited page?

41. Take notes on what you see!
Essay Rubric
Take notes on what you see!

42. Conclusions

43. Conclusion should make your readers glad they read the subject.
Remember…
Go beyond the confines of the assignment. Consider broader issues, make new connections, elaborate on the significance of your findings.
Conclusion should make your readers glad they read the subject.
Readers should take away something that will help them see things in a different way or appreciate things in personally relevant ways.

44. Conclusions
STRATEGIES to HELP
If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying anything new or interesting, review it with a friend. Read a a statement from your conclusion and ask your friend to ask you, “So what?”
Return to the ideas in the introduction. Use parallel concepts and images.
Show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together.
Propose a course of action, a solution, or questions for further study.

45. Conclusions
STRATEGIES to AVOID
Using unnecessary, overused phrases like, “in conclusion,” or “in closing”
Ending with a rephrased thesis statement without any major changes
Making sentimental, emotional appeals
Including evidence that should be in the body of the paper

46. Take out your essay and company journal.
DAILY
Take out your essay and company journal.
Skill: Essay Structure, Thesis Statements, MLA
Homework: FINAL Essay, Journal Entry
Song: “Ticket to Ride” by The Beatles – for William 
Daily:
For the daily, complete the “Revising” worksheet with honest, thoughtful answers. Write in complete sentences and take your time.

47. Thesis Statement Quiz #2

48. Avoiding Plagiarism
Proper citation of your sources in MLA style can help you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious offense. It may result in anything from failure of the assignment to expulsion from school.
Key Concepts: Plagiarism is a serious offense in the university system, and may result in punishments ranging from failure of the assignment, failure of the course, or expulsion from school.
There is a handout on OWL about plagiarism and can be found at
Click to reveal each item.

49. MLA Style: Two Parts Parenthetical Citations Works Cited Page
Rationale: This slide establishes the two areas of MLA documentation, the Works Cited page and parenthetical citations.

50. Parenthetical Citations
At the end of each quotation (piece of evidence) or paraphrased sentence, you must include a parenthetical citation.
There are specific rules for citations.

51. Parenthetical Citations
Author known: (last name pg. #)
Author unknown: (complete title name pg. #)
Page number unknown: (last name only), (title name only)
Title unknown: (organization name)
Website: (shortened web address)

52. A Sample Works Cited Page
Smith 12
Works Cited
David Copperfield New York: Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1958.
Dickens, Charles. Bleak House New York: Penguin,
1985.
Miller, J. Hillis. Charles Dickens: The World and His Novels.
Bloomington: U of Indiana P, 1958.
Zwerdling, Alex. “Esther Summerson Rehabilitated.” PMLA 88 (May
1973):
Key Concepts: This slide offers students a sample of what a Works Cited page looks like.* For this particular paper, four sources were used. The first and second sources are reprints of earlier published novels, hence the use of the two dates. The second source has three dashed lines in place of the author, Charles Dickens. This is to indicate that the same author wrote both concurrently listed works. The third source is a book published in Note the abbreviations for “University” and “Press.” The fourth source is an article from a continually paginated journal.
The facilitator may choose to explain the form of this page. Note that “Works Cited” is centered at the top. All sources are double spaced and alphabetized according to author. All lines after the first line of an entry should be indented five spaces. The facilitator may also choose to reference students to the final pages on the Writing Lab MLA handout, which also offers a sample Works Cited.
* From “’I am Born:’ The Birth of Identity in David Copperfield and Bleak House” by Jennifer L. Kunka, Purdue University (unpublished manuscript).

53. Highlight Check: Introduction
Hook: Yellow
Background Information (Bridge): Green
TIP: Turn the essay prompt questions into descriptive sentences.
Benefactors want to invest their money into successful projects. Innovation and creativity are key to a worthwhile investment. In order to get investors’ attention, the winning theme park must be original and exciting.
Thesis: Blue
Do you have every sentence required?
Put a STAR next to the sentences that need editing.

54. Highlight Check: Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence: Yellow
Should introduce the topic of the paragraph.
Example (1)
Evidence/Quote: Blue
Check for quote blends, quotation marks and citations.
Explanation (2-3): Green
Closing/Transition: Yellow
Are you missing sentences?

55. Highlight Check: Conclusion
Restated Thesis: Blue
Make sure the thesis is stated in NEW words (not just copied and pasted from the introduction)
Final thoughts: Green
“So what?” closing statement: Yellow

56. MLA FORMATTING Title is centered. 1 inch margins all around.
Your last Name & Page #
Double spacing everywhere…
Everywhere! 1”
Typed within the margin
First and Last Name
Instructor’s last name only
Title of Course
Due date in Date Month Year format
Title is
centered.
12pt and readable font used throughout
MLA FORMATTING
1 inch margins all around. 1” 1”
No extra space between paragraphs

57. Heading centered 1” from top of page.
Double spacing everywhere…
Everywhere!
List is alphabetized by authors’ last names.
First line of each entry is at left margin; subsequent lines are indented ½” (tab or 5 spaces).

58. How to cite your web sources
Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or publisher), date of resource creation (if available). Medium of publication. Date of access.
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, Web. 23 Apr
Felluga, Dino. Guide to Literary and Critical Theory. Purdue U, 28 Nov Web. 10 May 2006.
It is necessary to list your date of access because web postings are often updated, and information available on one date may no longer be available later. Be sure to include the complete address for the site.
Use n.p. if no publisher name is available and n.d. if no publishing date is given.

59. Switch essays with someone from your company.
Peer Editing
Switch essays with someone from your company.

60. Take out your essay work and company journal.
DAILY
Take out your essay work and company journal.
Skill: Essay Structure, Thesis Statements, MLA
Homework: journal entry, annotated article
Song: “Headlines” by Drake – Masoud, Kassy, Joe 
Daily: Get ready to turn your essay work in. Staple/paperclip in this order:
Final typed essay with Works Cited page
Rough drafts of essay
Peer edit sheet (if you did one)
Essay packet
Revising
Article Packet

61. Afterthoughts
 An afterthought is a thorough reflection on the writing process.
Paragraph 1: Reflect on the amount of time the writing took you and the process you went through in creating it.
Paragraph 2: Reflect on the problems that you encountered while writing, the revisions that you made, and the response you received from others during editing.
Paragraph 3: Write about what you learned from working on this piece of writing, what you would do differently of you were to do it again, what the strengths of the piece are, and what you hope others appreciate about it.

62. Afterthoughts Example
This piece took me about two weeks to write from start to finish. I began by brainstorming ideas, and then moved on to making a complete outline. From there I wrote two drafts and received feedback on both. Finally, I typed up the final draft with corrections. The biggest problems that I encountered were with blending my quotes well. I started out just putting the quotes in without explaining them or writing the page number. It was really difficult to get the hang of having to introduce the background information about the quote before I wrote it in. My peer editing partner helped me find the places where I could blend my quotes better and I was able to make them a little bit better. From working on this piece I learned that you really do need to go back and make lots of changes to an essay before you turn in the final draft. If I hadn’t made changes to my quotes, I might have failed the essay. If I was going to write this essay again I would be sure to follow the outline my teacher gave me and make sure that all my ideas and quotes blend really well from the start. Even though I had trouble with the quotes, I think that this essay has a really strong thesis statement and hook that tie everything together. I hope that others appreciate how effective my hook is and how well it works with the rest of the essay.