1. The super- focused, super- awesome, ROCKSTAR sentence.

2. Review: Organizing an essay Step 1: Analyze the prompt. What is the question? Step 2: Take a stance on the topic and come up with a strong reason. Step 3: Write a thesis statement. Step 4: Use SLACH and outline Step 5: Begin drafting your essay.

3. In a nutshell…

4. Introduction Broad statement Thesis statement Body Reason Elaborate Example 1 (from SLACH) Elaborate Example 2 (from SLACH) Elaborate Conclusion Restate the thesis Leave the reader with a thought/make real world connection

6. Take Notes

7. Thesis Statement Why is a Thesis Statement Important? Like a human linked with his avatar, a thesis sentence must be linked with the rest of your essay.

8. What is a thesis statement? 1.) A road map for your paper 2.) topic + position + reason

9. Example Prompt: Write an essay explaining why education is important. Weak: Education is important because people need to be educated. Strong: Education is crucial because it allows people to get higher paying jobs and become contributing members of society.

10. Let’s talk music! Most modern songs have a chorus that is repeated throughout the song. The chorus of a song — like a thesis statement in academic writing — ties each verse to the overall message. https://ww w.youtube.c om/watch?v =iyQtUEwRI zQ

11. Is this relevant to today’s world? Would you have understood the reference without watching the video? Or were the lyrics pretty clear? What did the artist repeat? What is the purpose of the song?

12. Here is a newer track! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1 nPYZGqfLA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1 nPYZGqfLA

13. Take a look at your copy of “Dark Times” Chunk similar stanzas Annotate (jot notes in the margins) Ask questions (have a conversation with the text) Identify the thesis statement

14. Dark Times—The Weeknd ft. Ed Sheeran Waking up, half past five Blood on pillow and one bruised eye Drunk too much, you know what I'm like But you should've seen the other guy This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with me Baby I'm just being honest And I know my lies could not make you believe We're running in circles that's why In my dark times I'll be going back to these streets Promising everything I do not mean In my dark times, baby this is all I could be Only my mother could love me for me In my dark times, in my dark times What is he doing? Emphasizes the thesis

15. Light one up, let me bum a smoke Still calming down, dripping throat I got another man's blood on my clothes But an endless fog's the life I chose This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with me Baby I'm just being honest And I know my lies could not make you believe Running in circles that's why In my dark times I'll be going back to the street Promising everything I do not mean In my dark times, baby this is all I could be Only my mother could love me for me In my dark times, in my dark times In my dark times I've still got some problems I know Driving too fast but just moving too slow And I've got something I've been trying to let go Pulling me back every time In my dark times taking it back to the street Making those promises that I could not keep In my dark times, baby this is all I could be Only my mother could love me for me In my dark times taking it down to the street Making those promises that I would not keep In my dark times this is all I could be Only my mother could of loved me for me In my dark times, in my dark times In my dark times Emphasizes the thesis

16. Lets dissect the thesis of “Dark Times” “In my dark times I'll be going back to the street Promising everything I do not mean. In my dark times, baby this is all I could be.” Topic: ________________________________________ Position:_________________________________ Reason: __________________________

17. Lets dissect the thesis of “Dark Times” “In my dark times I'll be going back to the street Promising everything I do not mean” Topic: My bad side shows… Position: that I keep repeating the same mistakes… Reason: because that’s all I know how to do.

18. In order to prevent this… We must practice…

19. Examples: Prompt: Write an essay explaining why Americans should stop eating fast food. Weak: Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided. Strong: Americans should eliminate regular consumption of fast food because it leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

20. Cont. Prompt: Write an essay explaining why more should be done to help the homeless. Weak: There are high numbers of homeless people living in Berkeley, California, so we should help them. Strong: Homeless people in Berkeley should be given access to services, such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.

21. Prompt: Write an essay explaining why humans should move to Mars. Weak: Humans should relocate to Mars. You try making it stronger!

22. Strong: It is too late to save earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars where, with proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.

23. Topic: Explain what makes a high school great. WEAK THESIS: Pioneer High School is a great high school. STRONG THESIS: There are many different aspects that make a high school great; however, the heart and soul of a school is the unity and spirit of the students and staff.

24. Topic : Explain whether high school is superior to middle school. WEAK THESIS: Middle and high school are both fun for many reasons, some of which are the same and some different. STRONG THESIS: High school is superior to middle school because the freedom given to students allows them to grow into productive citizens. YOUR THESIS: _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

25. Topic: Explain why your school should have an open campus. Weak Thesis: Pioneer High School’s decision not to have an off campus lunch policy is idiotic and asinine. You try!

26. Topic : Explain why minions should be allowed to attend American schools.

27. Topic : Explain how humanity is deteriorating.

28. Student samples: 1.) The very aspect of humanity deteriorating socially, politically, and economically revolves around money. 2.) Humanity is socially deteriorating because electronics have taken over. 3.) Humanity is socially deteriorating mainly due to technology; instead of expressing emotions, people use emoticons. 4.) Humanity, as a whole, will most likely die off as individuals begin to think only of one mind; society crushes anyone who dares to be different.

29. Topic : Explain why there should be better lunch options in the PHS cafeteria.