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TRANSCRIPT
Students who are applying fundamentals
of writing on timed writings are generally
earning top half scores
› Thesis that addresses the prompt
› Effective topic sentences that build on thesis
› Thoroughly developed paragraphs with a
clear organizational strategy
› Commentary that connects evidence to topic sentence/thesis
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Students who are not applying these
fundamentals are earning lower scores
AP graders are looking for proof that you
are good enough at this stuff that you
wouldn’t really benefit from being in a
freshman comp class
If the fundamentals of your writing are
off, you will not earn a top half score PowerPoint created by and
copyright of Teresa Laffin
Keep in mind that you need to show that
you are a good writer in addition to
answering the question for a top score
An “adequate” answer provides your
perspective on the topic and
demonstrates your ability as a writer
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A thesis statement should be a fairly direct sentence that states your position on the prompt › Rhetorical analysis
Gives purpose of the piece you’re analyzing
Does not list devices. For Pete’s sake.
› Argument essay Takes a position on the issue/idea
Does not list reasons you have taken this position
› Synthesis essay Takes a position on the issue
Does not list sources or give reasons to support position PowerPoint created by and
copyright of Teresa Laffin
Focus on author’s purpose
Avoid filler language (uses various
strategies, devices, and appeals)
You are evaluating the author’s use of
the rhetorical web
› You are a detective uncovering the clues
about how the author built his or her essay in
order to achieve a purpose– expose their tricks!
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YES
NO
Kelley passionately argues against the
horrors of child labor.
Kelley sways her audience to take a
stand against child labor by earning
women’s suffrage.
Kelley charges her audience to take
action against the shame of child labor.
Kelley uses pathos and ethos to argue
against child labor.
Kelley’s diction, syntax, and figurative
language show that she is against child
labor.
Kelley uses rhetorical strategies to argue
against child labor. PowerPoint created by and
copyright of Teresa Laffin
ARGUE. ARGUE. ARGUE. › In other words, this is not an expository paper
BUILD your argument in your planning › Use a RANGE of devices and strategies
› Present a RANGE of evidence to support your argument
You are using the rhetorical web
You are on Dancing with the Stars, but instead, it’s Arguing by Yourself, and you are flashing your mad argument skills to earn the top score. Be on fire about this topic! PowerPoint created by and
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YES
NO
Humorists undoubtedly play a vital role in
our society.
Although humorists have a place in our
society, their role is not necessarily vital.
The importance of the role of humorists in
our society is currently overrated.
Humor in the forms of political satire and verbal irony plays an important role in our society.
Humor at the expense of another person is cruel and unacceptable.
Our society is filled with humorists who both entertain and enlighten the population. PowerPoint created by and
copyright of Teresa Laffin
Blend the ideas in the sources with your own thoughts to develop a strong position
Include the sources, but do not use them to organize your essay
Position-driven, not source-driven › If your ideas are all from sources, your score will
be lower
You are a chef, transforming the ingredients provided in the sources into a delicious and unique essay– cook up something fascinating! PowerPoint created by and
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YES
NO
Success is having the time and
opportunities to follow your dreams.
Success, much like beauty, lies in the eye
of the beholder.
The current American standard of success
has fatal flaws.
The stories of Chris McCandless, John
Muir, and Henry David Thoreau show
what success is.
This paper will discuss what success
means.
Success is understanding that “imitation is
suicide.” PowerPoint created by and
copyright of Teresa Laffin
The opinion that controls the content of
the paragraph
› Should be a meaningful sub-idea of the
thesis, not a list or random collection of
topics
› Should never be factual or contain a citation
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Kelley builds her argument against child labor by evoking emotion in her audience through imagery.
Kelley’s rhetorical questions also draw her audience into the fight against child labor.
Kelley’s references throughout the text to items of clothing help implicate her audience in the horrors of child labor in order to draw them to her side. PowerPoint created by and
copyright of Teresa Laffin
Kelley uses ethos to argue against child
labor.
Kelley uses diction and rhetorical
questions to argue against child labor.
Kelley tries to get her audience to see
that child labor is bad.
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copyright of Teresa Laffin
Eight sentence and/or majors minors are a go (or your can step up) › Stepping down (paragraphs with fewer than two
examples developed) is not a good option › Paragraphs need development of ideas to show that you
have control over the elements of effective writing
› Paragraphs with three, four, or five sentences are probably not developing ideas with enough depth for a top score
(Brief) intro, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion should be the goal › If you have only two body paragraphs, they need strong
development
› Depth of argument is the goal here, not lots of examples
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Be in CONTROL. › Brainstorm LOTS of ideas (an outline is not
brainstorming, folks). Pretend you will get a prize if you come up with the most powerful and impressive ideas.
› Write thesis and topic sentences.
› Make an outline that includes specific evidence and strategies (how YOU will use e/p/l and address the opposition).
› Do not start to write unless your argument is clear in your mind.
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• First, we will look at argument prompts
• We will look at the first one together and spend ten minutes brainstorming, writing a thesis and topic sentences, and outlining ideas.
• Tomorrow, we will do a rhetorical analysis practice together. Then you will do two of each on your own. If you will be out, please email me and I can send you the prompts so you will be ready for Friday/Monday’s timed writings.
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