Do Now: Read the 2 Essays In your notes: 1.What strengths does the essay have? 2.What weaknesses? 3.How would you improve the essay? 4.What scores do you think these essays would receive? (1-6)

ACT Writing Test

What the graders look for 1.Take a position on the prompt: clear thesis statement 2.Maintain focus on topic: stick with the thesis 3.Support your ideas 4.Organize your ideas: intro-body-conclusion 5.Use language clearly and effectively

Step 1: Work with the prompt Read the prompt Jot down key words Decide which side you want to defend Pick three reasons why you chose that side (pros) Think of a couple counter examples to your side (cons)

Try it out! The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires all school libraries receiving certain federal funds to install and use blocking software to prevent students from viewing material considered “harmful to minors.” However, some studies conclude that blocking software in schools damages educational opportunities for students, both by blocking access to Web pages that are directly related to the state-mandated curriculums and by restricting broader inquiries of both students and teachers. In your view, should the schools block access to certain Internet Web sites?educational opportunities

Key words School libraries Prevent students Blocking software Harmful to minors etc

Pros/Cons

Step 2: Structure the Essay Introduction – Frames the discussion (paraphrase prompt) – State your thesis (usually the last sentence of the paragraph)

Step 2: Structure the Essay Body Paragraphs Part 1: Support your position – A good transition/topic sentence – A relevant example – An explanation of how the example supports your position

Step 2: Structure the Essay Body Paragraphs Part 2: Attack the other position – Structure is the same, but use your cons – State why the example is not important to consider Try: The example is true, but… The example is true, but not as important because… The example is flawed because…

Step 2: Structure the Essay Conclusion – Restate the thesis and sum up the essay

Sample Outline I.Introduction paragraph I.Paraphrase prompt II.State your thesis II.Con body paragraph I.Topic Sentence II.Con example III.Pro body paragraph 1 I.Topic sentence II.Pro example 1 IV.Pro body paragraph 2 I.Topic sentence II.Pro example 2 V.Conclusion I.Restate the thesis

Other things… 1.Length: graders reward longer essay (at least 5 paragraphs) 2.Sentence structure (vary the structure with short and long sentences) 3.Diction (choose nice vocab, but make sure you know what the word means) 4.Neatness (indent new paragraphs, align edges)

Write your own essay using the following prompt Many communitiesMany communities are considering adopting curfews for high school students. Some educators and parents favor curfews because they believe it will encourage students to focus more on their homework and make them more responsible. Others feel curfews are up to families, not the community, and that students today need freedom to work and participate in social activities in order to mature properly. Do you think that communities should impose curfews on high school students?in social activities