Grade 8 Humanities: Week of 11/20/2017 Putting The U In ArgUment

Dear Families,

When developing a thesis, it is important to distinguish between a strong opinion and an arguable, evidence-based claim. Every paragraph of a thesis essay needs to contain significant proof and details that move the claim forward. Analysis, not plot summary, forms the basis of each point a writer wants to make to support their argument. Some context is, of course, necessary, but only enough to make the interpretation of the text make sense. And although a thesis essay leaves a writer’s opinion out, it should retain the writer’s voice — “that dear perfection” that constitutes one as an individual and distinguishes the work in unique ways.

Yours,

Ms. Sacilotto

Creating hand-written notes prior to starting a document in The Drive is a technique that works for many students . . .

Not everyone uses an outline, but for those who do, the essay will subsequently seem to “write itself” . . .

Sometimes drafting needs a second set of eyes to assist in streamlining ideas and phrasing . . .

Circling back to the thesis should be done in every paragraph of the essay . . .

Mark Twain once said “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning,” and it’s true . . .