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PLAN

Mini-lesson on Essay Organization

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Parts to an argument

  1. ESTABLISH CLAIM/CONTEXT
  2. SUPPORT WITH REASONS AND EVIDENCE
  3. CONFIRM CLAIM AND CALL TO ACTION (What, so what?)

CLAIMS MINI LESSON

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SUCCESS CRITERIA FOR TODAY

  1. Find potential sources/evidence
  2. Generate a rough plan for drafting

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EXAMPLE’S PLAN

  1. Issue
    1. Freedom vs. Civil society
  2. Evidence
    • Hypothetical - total freedom from laws
    • Consequences of that
  3. Background
    • Bill of Rights
    • Define line between individuals and gov.
  4. Definition
    • Roosevelt definition
    • Limits of freedoms
  5. My idea
    • Restraint - preserve and protect our freedoms
    • THESIS - Never allow our freedoms to impose on another’s

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Potential Paragraph Topics

  • Background - What has happened? What are we talking about? What’s are the definitions?
  • My idea - This is what I think and why?
  • The Issue - What is the problem and why is it a problem?
  • Observation - Tell me a story, what do YOU see in the world?
  • Consequence (so what?) - What will happen if we address this issue? If we don’t?
  • Call to action - What do we need to do? Why?
  • Evidence - What are stats, data, and examples about your topic?
  • Counterclaim - What do other people think and why?

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Example Plans

Plan #1

  • Other people think
    • Opposing ideas and evidence
    • Commentary
  • The Problem
    • Evidence
    • Commentary
  • My Evidence
    • Reason
    • Evidence
    • Commentary
  • Call for action
    • commentary
    • thesis
    • explanation of stance

Plan #2

  1. Background
    1. Commentary
    2. Evidence
    3. Commentary
  2. Significant issue
    • Reason
    • Evidence
    • Commentary
  3. My idea
    • Claim
    • Explanation
  4. Evidence
    • Reason
    • Evidence
    • Commentary
  5. Call for action
    • restate thesis
    • explanation

Plan #3

  • Evidence
    • Claim
    • Explanation of your stance
  • Observation
    • Evidence
    • Commentary
  • Significant issue
    • Reason
    • Evidence
    • Commentary
  • My idea
    • Thesis
    • reasoning
  • Call for action
    • thesis
    • explanation

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RESTAD’S PLAN

  • Observations
    • Parenting
    • ICE shooting
  • The Problem
    • Balance
    • Protection and enforcement of laws vs. Over protection
  • My Evidence
    • Resistance brings change, compliance does not
    • Women’s and Civil Rights
    • How far is too far?
  • Civil Disobedience
    • commentary (???)
    • To find a balance between respecting and challenging laws, it is the duty of citizens to know their rights--and the rights of others--and be willing to accept consequences for speaking out and disrupting any attempt--be it from a government, an individual, or a corporation-- meant to erode or silence those freedoms
    • explanation of stance (???)