The New 7 Wonders of the WorldFive Paragraph Essay

We just spent the past few days learning about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In 2007, the New7Wonders Foundation organized a poll of modern wonders and 1 million votes were cast. The following 7 were the winners:

1. Chichen Itza (Yucatán, Mexico)2. Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)3. Colosseum (Rome, Italy)4. Great Wall of China (China)5. Machu Picchu (Cuzco, Perú)6. Petra (Jordan)7. Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

Assignment:You are to choose one of the New 7 Wonders of the world and write a five paragraph essay on it. In your essay you should include and justify if your modern wonder would have made the Ancient Greece list of Seven Wonders.Keep in mind the features required to qualify for the Ancient Greek’s list:

A. Size (large)B. Works of great artistryC. Great feats of engineering

Elements of a Five Paragraph Essay:Introductory paragraph -> Thesis Statement (mini outline of what the paper is about)First Body Paragraph -> Topic Sentence with 3 supporting detailsSecond Body Paragraph -> Topic Sentence with 3 supporting detailsThird Body Paragraph -> Topic Sentence with 3 supporting detailsConcluding Paragraph -> Reworded Thesis; a summary of the three main points from the body of the paper; and a final statement that gives the reader signals that the discussion has come to an end.

A.P.A. FormatRefer to How to Write a Paper Handout or go to my web page.

Research Essay Writing Process

Topic vs. thesis statement A topic is general and very broad. For example, you might write a paper about pollution. You could write this paper for a LONG time unless you narrow the field.

Ask yourself questions:What kind? What geographical area? What environmental anomalies? Who is affected? Specific age group?

A thesis statement focuses on one particular section of the broad topic and covers it in detail. A thesis statement is more than a mere statement; it must be defensible.

Step 1: Make a statementPollution is a serious issue in urban centres.......

BECAUSE

Step 2: Outline your defensea) it leads to the release of dangerous chemicals into the air, water, and soilb)............................................................................................................ c)............................................................................................................

Thesis statement Thesis statement reveals: central message of the essay should convince and persuade the reader

without a thesis, the essay lacks direction and purpose, and wanders from point to point

purpose of the paper relevance to the topic

indicates of direction of the essay

IntroductionsLike any good reading material, the introduction should grab the reader's interest or attention, so he or she will continue reading your essay.

What does an introduction do?

• sets the stage • establishes the context• gets to the heart of things quickly• includes thesis statement

Devices

• relevant background information• brief, interesting story/anecdote• pertinent statistic(s)• appropriate quotation• analogy• definition of term(s)• identification of situation

What to avoid in your Introduction:

• "The purpose of my essay is?"• "I am going to write about?"

• clichés or commonplace ideas: "Since the dawn of time, people have fallen in love." • apologies: "I am not sure this is right, but this is my opinion."• repetition of the topic

The Body of the PaperIf you remember SAY IT...SUPPORT IT.... EXPLAIN IT, you will have the three essential components of every paragraph you write. Each paragraph should have one idea which you introduce, support with material from other sources, and synthesize. The last element is your defense or explanation of the importance of the paragraph to your thesis.

Conclusions

• Brings essay to an end• Logically follows from thesis statement and discussion

Devices

• Answers question in introduction• Summarizes main points• Calls for awareness, action, resolution from the reader• Anticipates future possibilities

What to avoid in your Conclusion:

• Don’t trail off• Don’t include new ideas or facts that belong in main body of essay• Don’t reword the introduction• Don’t announce what you have done• Don’t apologize

Research Essay Rubric

Student Name: __________________ Block: ______ Topic: ___________

Category 15-12 11-8 8-5 4-1 ScoreQuality of Information

Information clearly relates to the main topic. Includes several supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.

Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.

Category 10-8 8-6 6-4 4-0Organization The introduction is

inviting, states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper. Details are placed in a logical order and the way they are presented effectively keeps the interest of the reader. A variety of thoughtful transitions are used and clearly show how the ideas are connected.

The introduction is inviting, states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not particularly inviting to the reader. Details are placed in a logical order, but the way in which they are presented/introduced sometimes makes the writing less interesting. Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.

The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader. Some details are not in logical or expected order and this distracts the reader. Some transitions work well but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.

There is no clear introduction of the topic/structure of the paper. Many details are not in logical/expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized. The transitions between ideas are unclear or non-existent.

Category 4 - Above Standards 3 – Meets Standards 2 – Approaching Standards

1 – Below Standards

Thesis Statement Thesis statement names the topic of the essay and outlines the main points to be discussed.

Thesis statement names the topic of the essay.

The thesis statement outlines some or all of the main points to be discussed but does not name the topic.

The thesis statement does not name the topic AND does not preview what will be discussed.

In-Text Citations All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and sited correctly. (Min. 5)

All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and most are cited correctly.

Most sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and are cited correctly.

Many sources are suspect (not credible) AND/OR not cited correctly.

Grammar & Spelling

Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distracts the reader from the content.

Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distracts the reader from the content.

Evidence and Examples

All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each pieces of evidence supports the author’s position.

Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each pieces of evidence supports the author’s position.

At least 1 of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how the piece of evidence supports the author’s position.

Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.

APA Format Correct Title Page Format. Original title page #’s and double spaced. References (min. 5)

Minor errors. Multiple errors. Incorrect format.

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