The super-focused, super-

awesome, ROCKSTAR sentence.

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 outlineStep 5: Begin drafting your essay.

In a nutshell…

IntroductionBroad statementThesis statement

BodyReason

ElaborateExample 1 (from SLACH)

ElaborateExample 2 (from SLACH)

ElaborateConclusion

Restate the thesisLeave the reader with a thought/make real world connection

Take Notes

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.

What is a thesis statement? 1.) A road map for your paper2.) topic + position + reason

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.

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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyQtUEwRIzQ

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?

Here is a newer track!

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1nPYZGqfLA

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

Dark Times—The Weeknd ft. Ed Sheeran • Waking up, half past five

Blood on pillow and one bruised eyeDrunk 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 meBaby I'm just being honest

And I know my lies could not make you believeWe're running in circles that's why

• In my dark times I'll be going back to these streetsPromising everything I do not mean

In my dark times, baby this is all I could beOnly my mother could love me for me

In my dark times, in my dark times

What is he

doing?

Emphasizes the thesis

• Light one up, let me bum a smokeStill calming down, dripping throatI got another man's blood on my clothesBut an endless fog's the life I chose

• This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with meBaby I'm just being honestAnd I know my lies could not make you believeRunning in circles that's why

• In my dark times I'll be going back to the streetPromising everything I do not meanIn my dark times, baby this is all I could beOnly my mother could love me for meIn my dark times, in my dark times

• In my dark times I've still got some problems I knowDriving too fast but just moving too slowAnd I've got something I've been trying to let goPulling me back every time

• In my dark times taking it back to the streetMaking those promises that I could not keepIn my dark times, baby this is all I could beOnly my mother could love me for meIn my dark times taking it down to the streetMaking those promises that I would not keepIn my dark times this is all I could beOnly my mother could of loved me for meIn my dark times, in my dark timesIn my dark times

Emphasizes the thesis

Lets dissect the thesis of “Dark Times”“In my dark times I'll be going back to the streetPromising everything I do not mean. In my dark times, baby this is all I could be.”

• Topic: ________________________________________

• Position:_________________________________

• Reason: __________________________

Lets dissect the thesis of “Dark Times”“In my dark times I'll be going back to the streetPromising 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.

In order to prevent this…

We must practice…

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.

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.

Prompt: Write an essay explaining why humans should move to Mars.

Weak: Humans should relocate to Mars.You try making it stronger!

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.

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.

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: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

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

Topic : Explain how humanity is deteriorating.

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.

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