1. Synthesis Essay: Thesis Statements Benchmark
Ms. Livingston
E11

2. Unit: Critical Reading and Literary Response March 2, 2015
Grade Level 11R
Time Required: 43
Unit: Critical Reading and Literary Response
March 2, 2015
Standards to be addressed:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
SWBAT: Critically read to identify elements of an argument; Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.

3. Example: Tobacco should be illegal for purchase or use.
Directions: Choose two of the following statements and create a claim statement about each of the following topics using the formula Although A, B because C.
Example: Tobacco should be illegal for purchase or use.
Claim Statement: Although some believe that tobacco should remain legal for purchase or use, tobacco should be illegal for purchase or use because of harmful side effects.
Everyone would be a lot better off without television.
Discussions about religion should be allowed in school.
Students should be able to ban a teacher if he/she does not teach well.
Students should be able to work without parental consent at age 16.
Students should be able to choose which high school they attend.
When a course is taught by more than one teacher, students should be able to choose their teacher.
If a student and teacher have problems getting along, either one should be able to request a change in teachers.
Parents should have to pay a fine when their kids skip school.
SWBAT: Critically read to identify elements of an argument; Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.

4. English 3H 11/19/2015
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.
Agenda:
Presentations
Benchmark
Small group
Homework: Read the 3 articles that weren’t assigned to you, highlighting the quotes you were given.

5. Formula for a Thesis Statement
Complex: Although A, B and C Even more complex: Although A, B because C
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.

6. Example Thesis Statement
Although many think The Great Gatsby shows the triumph of the American Dream, it actually reinforces the idea that it is difficult to move between social classes because wealth is not evenly distributed or respected, making it impossible to emulate a rags to riches story. Although many think The Great Gatsby shows the triumph of the American Dream, it actually reinforces the idea that it is a b difficult to move between social classes because wealth is not evenly distributed or respected, making it impossible to emulate c a rags to riches story.
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.

7. Example Thesis Statements
Although some may say (character) does/doesn’t have power in (society/relationships), s/he is/isn’t able to exert power because .
Although some may say that (character) is (trait), she is actually (trait) because the defining roles for women in the early twentieth century allowed for women to be .
Although some may believe that The Great Gatsby shows the powerlessness of , it actually reinforces the idea that because .
Although some may believe that The Great Gatsby shows the power of
(men, the wealthy, the self-made man)
, it actually illustrates the idea that because .
Although some may say that The Great Gatsby illustrates the futility of
(The American Dream, the lower class, women)
, it actually shows because .
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.

8. Template for a Thesis Statement
Although some say a , b (conjunction: because; and; despite) c
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.

9. Sample Intro Paragraph
The American Dream has lured many to the shores and borders of the United States in hopes of a better future for themselves and their loved ones. Consequentially, our American mythology is packed with examples of those who have succeeded, achieved, and amassed great happiness and wealth through their hard work and tenacity. These stories are prevalence in our culture, and propagate the myth of The American Dream. One such story, the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, follow the tragic rise and fall of Jay Gatsby, as he claws his way to wealth and fortune in hopes of winning back his long-lost love, Daisy. Although many think The Great Gatsby shows the triumph of the American Dream, it actually reinforces the idea that it is difficult to move between social classes because wealth is not evenly distributed or respected, making it impossible to emulate a rags to riches story.

10. Sample Intro Paragraph
The American Dream has lured many to the shores and borders of the United States in hopes of a better future for themselves and their loved ones. Consequentially, our American mythology is packed with examples of those who have succeeded, achieved, and amassed great happiness and wealth through their hard work and tenacity. These stories are prevalence in our culture, and propagate the myth of The American Dream. One such story, the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, follow the tragic rise and fall of Jay Gatsby, as he claws his way to wealth and fortune in hopes of winning back his long-lost love, Daisy. Although many think The Great Gatsby shows the triumph of the American Dream, it actually reinforces the idea that it is difficult to move between social classes because wealth is not evenly distributed or respected, making it impossible to emulate a rags to riches story.

11. Read your thesis statement aloud to your group.
Closing
Read your thesis statement aloud to your group.
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.