1. ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Topic Sentence: This is one of your reason’s in support of your overall thesis. Paragraph Construction for an essay’s body paragraphs ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Evidence: This is the quote, facts, or information from one of your sources ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Evidence: This is the quote, facts, or information from one of your sources ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Analysis/ Explanation: This is where you explain how the evidence proves your point. ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Analysis/ Explanation: This is where you explain how the evidence proves your point. Source:

2. PRACTICE PARAGRAPH: Try sorting the following evidence into logical categories that you can use to support our thesis. Then pick two that go together for a body paragraph. In her interview with Connor Ennis, Ms. Hayes said that she would use tablets for note taking, increasing motivation, and to help students be more organized. In an online survey that Stavros Basmas conducted, only 15% of the general public felt that the amount of information available on the internet was overwhelming to students. In an online survey that Tanner Gray conducted, only 24% of the general public agreed that they, their child, or a child they knew has submitted assignments online. In an article by William Ferriter called “Cell Phones as Teaching Tools,” Cody Phillips quoted Ferriter as saying: “With a willingness to experiment, teachers might be able to create classrooms where the cell phones currently tucked into students’ backpacks function as important tools instead of incessant distractions. In an article by Bob Lucking, Trevor Miller noted Lucking as pointing out that cell phones can display documents, spreadsheets, and presentations just as computers. In her interview with Dixie Asbury, Ms. Woodall said that she would use personal technology specifically for self paced learning, research, writing and other assignments. On a previously reported survey, surveyed teachers responded as described to the following statements: (Purcell, Buchanan, Friedrich 82) Compared with previous generations, today’s students have fundamentally different cognitive skills because of the digital technologies they have grown up with. 40% strongly agreed ; 48% somewhat agreed; 9% somewhat disagreed; 2% strongly disagreed In an online survey that I conducted, 75% of the public strongly agreed and 20% somewhat agreed that students think differently these days due to all the technology they use.

3. ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Topic Sentence: This is one of your reason’s in support of your overall thesis. Paragraph Construction for an essay’s body paragraphs ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Evidence: This is the quote, facts, or information from one of your sources ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Evidence: This is the quote, facts, or information from one of your sources ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Analysis/ Explanation: This is where you explain how the evidence proves your point. ___________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Analysis/ Explanation: This is where you explain how the evidence proves your point. Source: People from all walks of life support the idea that students of this generation think differently due to the abundance of technology they have grown up with. 75% of general public strongly agreed and 20% somewhat agreed 40% of teacher strongly agreed and 48% more somewhat agreed. My on-line survey (Purcell, Buchanan, Friedrich 82) Clearly, a huge majority of people who would respond on-line to a survey agree With this statement, and the evidence is across all walks of life and all ages. So, while teachers are slightly less likely to agree, there is still a very large majority who feel this way, and they are the experts closest to the students and most capable of making this judgment.

4. So, how will that paragraph look? Paragraph Example- People from all walks of life agree that students of this generation think differently from those who came before, in many ways because of the abundance of technology that they have grown up with. In an online survey conducted for this research paper, 75% of the general population strongly agreed with the idea that students think differently for this reason. Another 20% somewhat agreed. Now many people might argue that these results are influenced by the fact that the people answering are people who are comfortable with technology, so they could be biased. However, in a previous survey, about 88% of teachers also strongly agreed or somewhat agreed (Purcell, Buchanan, Friedrich 82). Teachers are experts education, and they are in the best place to see how students generally solve problems. Of course, you might notice that I revised some of my word choices as I went along. That is natural and desirable.

5. What goes into a well constructed introductory paragraph? What goes into a well constructed body paragraph? What goes into a well constructed conclusion paragraph? PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER, LET’S LOOK AT THESE THREE THINGS:

6. Topic Sentence - This is a general statement about your supporting idea or supporting argument. Evidence - This is the information that you have gathered from your published sources, your interview, and your survey. It must be credible, relevant, and valid, it could be examples, statistics, expert opinions, or quotations. Analyze - What does the evidence tell you? Look at patterns, changes to patterns, or the preponderance of evidence. More evidence – Because you want to prove each point with more than one piece of evidence, after you have presented and explained your first bit of evidence, add more evidence. More analysis – You cannot just present evidence, you have to explain how that evidence proves your point. What goes into a well constructed body paragraph? Body Paragraphs – T.E.A. (with seconds)

7. Paragraph Example- People from all walks of life agree that students of this generation think differently from those who came before, in many ways because of the abundance of technology that they have grown up with. In an online survey conducted for this research paper, 75% of the general population strongly agreed with the idea that students think differently for this reason. Another 20% somewhat agreed. Now many people might argue that these results are influenced by the fact that the people answering are people who are comfortable with technology, so they could be biased. However, in a previous survey, about 88% of teachers also strongly agreed or somewhat agreed (Purcell, Buchanan, Friedrich 82). Teachers are experts education, and they are in the best place to see how students generally solve problems. (topic sentence) (evidence #2) (evidence #1) (analysis #1) (analysis #2)

8. What goes into a well constructed introductory paragraph? The structure of the essay is held together in the introduction by the following: 1.Attract Reader’s attention 2.Supply background information and WHY reader’s should care and read your essay. 3.Thesis statement that has a narrow topic, a position or conclusion you want the reader to understand and accept. 4.A plan of development (This is your signaling about how you plan to support your thesis.) FUNNEL PATTERN 1.Attention Statement 2.Context of problem 3.Why it is important 4.Thesis (with signals)

9. What goes into a well constructed attention sentence? Common beginnings (Your first sentence): Rhetorical questions Striking or compelling quotation from a respected source Anecdotes or examples Start with an idea that is opposite of the one you will develop (surprising your readers) “When I started school again, I wasn’t worried about my work ethic and ability to do the work required, after-all, I was not some fresh, confused teenager.”

10. What goes into a well constructed conclusion paragraph? A concluding paragraph is your chance to remind your reader of your thesis idea and bring the paper to a natural and graceful end. Common Methods of Concluding: End with a summary and final thought Restate your thesis in new words, summarize your supporting points Include a thought-provoking question or series of questions Questions can grab a reader’s attention and is a direct appeal to think further about what you’ve written. The questions should follow logically from the points you’ve already made in the paper Questions should deal with why the subject is important; what might happen in the future; what should be done about the subject; which choice should be made. End with a prediction or recommendation Predictions and recommendations take your reader into the future, and involve the reader directly.

11. ExemplarySkilled (-2)Proficient (-4)Developing (-5)Unsatisfactory (Varies) 1. Sources & *citations (*failure to provide accurate in-text, parenthetical citations, as well as an accurate works cited page for all sources will result in a score no higher than 69%) The paper includes an appropriate and assigned amount of credible and relevant sources from a variety of media, and they are combined into a single unified understanding of the author’s point. Both in-text citations and a works cited page are used. All required information is provided and is formatted properly. The paper includes all credible and relevant sources, in the assigned number, and all sources are cited correctly. All sources have both in-text citations and a works cited page formatted correctly. The paper includes all credible and relevant sources, in the assigned number, and all sources are cited correctly. All sources have both in-text citations and a works cited page, but the format may have minor errors. The paper provides some sources but not the required amount. Some sources are NOT credible and relevant. All sources have both in-text citations and a works cited page, but improperly formatted. The paper includes no outside sources, or while sources are included, they are not cited in the paper, and/or they are not listed on a works cited page resulting in plagiarism. A score here mean that the highest possible score can be no higher than a 69% (-31) 2. Claim/Central Idea The claim presents the topic or issue clearly, states the writer’s position or proposal, and provides a signal for each of the arguments or supporting ideas. (Blank squares mean that the writer’s work falls somewhere between the characteristics described on either side.) The thesis includes topic and proposal/opinion/ position, but has unclear or missing signals of the arguments. The response lacks a thesis statement or the thesis statement does contain the required parts. (-10) 3. Arguments /Supporting Ideas The response thoroughly develops the arguments using credible and relevant evidence from the source materials and clearly explains how the evidence supports the claim/arguments/ideas. The response develops the arguments using evidence from the source material but may not elaborate or explain how evidence supports claim/central idea.. The response uses little evidence from the source materials or evidence is misinterpreted.. (-10) 4. Organization/ Coherence The response organizes information logically. Paragraphs have topic sentences and focus on specific ideas supporting thesis. Sentences are clear and focused. Transitions are appropriate and used throughout the piece. The information is presented logically but sentences and paragraphs combine ideas that would be better off separated or left out. The information is not organized in a way that responds clearly to the question.. (-10) 5. Sentence Skills The response is written in a variety of sentence structures that are complete and concise. It flows with a natural rhythm. Grammatical and mechanical errors are unnoticeable. The response is legible but has some grammatical, mechanical. or spelling errors that are noticeable but do not detract from a clear understanding of the text. The response is illegible, sloppy or has so many grammatical or mechanical errors that it becomes difficult to understand the meaning of the papers.. (-10) 6. MLA Formatting The paper is formatted almost perfectly according to MLA, with correct margins, spacing, headings, etc. The paper is generally formatted correctly, but errors were made in font size, line spacing, etc. Student used extra space in an apparent attempt to lengthen the paper. Little or no attempt was made to format the paper according to MLA guidelines.. (-10) Total