1. Read the Prompt, twice First, read the prompt to determine
if they are asking you to write an argument or informative essay
Second, highlight the key words in the prompt that will help you
formulate your claim or thesis statement 2-5 minutes
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2. Skim Read the Sources Highlight anything that relates to
your key words and seems useful as evidence Note the structure of
the sources, headings, titles, types 5 minutes
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3. Choose a Text Structure DescriptionContrast and Compare
Order and Sequence Cause and Effect Problem Solution Definition
Essay will provide details or characteristics of something Essay
will talk about the similarities and differences between people,
places, things, etc.. Essay will outline chronological events or a
list of steps in a procedure Essay will describe an event (cause)
and the effects that follow Essay will give information about a
problem and explain one or more solutions Prompt Clue Words Asks
for adjectives, characteristics, examples, images Same/different,
both/neither, contrast, compare, relationship between Order of
events, history, instructions, steps, signal words Cause, effect,
relationship between, because, as a result, due to, if/then
Problem, solution, issue, concern, resolution Informative
Essay
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4. Plan Essay/Reread Sources Use the planning sheet to briefly
outline your essay Reread the sources as necessary and highlight
evidence from the text
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5. Type Your Essay Use proper capitalization and punctuation
Use quotation marks to cite sources
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6. Revise Your Essay Reread directions checklist in the prompt
Check spelling Check for typos and missing words Remember to
properly cite your source evidence
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Lets Practice
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1. Read Prompt Write an informative essay about the viewpoints
presented about the Florida Caverns by the two authors. Your
informative essay must be based on ideas and information found in
the passage set.
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1. Read Prompt Highlight Key Words Write an informative essay
about the viewpoints presented about the Florida Caverns by the two
authors. Your informative essay must be based on ideas and
information found in the passage set.
Slide 13
2. Read the Source Packet Highlight anything that relates to
your key words and seems useful as evidence Note the structure of
the sources, headings, titles, types
Slide 14
Informative Essay 3. Choose an Informative Essay Text Structure
Description Compare and Contrast Order and Sequence Cause and
Effect Problem/Solution
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3. Essay ideas based on Text Structure DescriptionDescription :
Explain how the authors used various literary techniques to explain
the caverns. Cause and EffectCause and Effect : Explain how
visiting the Florida caverns inspired the authors to write about
them. Contrast and CompareContrast and Compare : Compare and
contrast the various ways that the authors spoke about/feel
about/analyze the caverns.
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4. Plan Your Essay (Description) Introduction Background
Information: What is this essay about? Thesis: Many authors are
inspired by the Florida caverns, and use various literary
techniques to pay homage to them in their writing. Main Point 1
Main Point 2 Main Point 3 Conclusion
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4. Plan Your Essay (Cause and Effect) Introduction Background
Information: What is this essay about? Thesis: Visiting the Florida
Caverns has an impact on many people, including two authors who
choose to write about them. Main Point 1 Main Point 2 Main Point 3
Conclusion
Slide 18
4. Plan Your Essay (Compare and Contrast) Introduction
Background Information: What is this essay about? Thesis: Visiting
the Florida Caverns has an impact on many people, including two
authors who choose to write about them. Main Point 1 Main Point 2
Main Point 3 Conclusion
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4. Plan Your Essay Reread the sources and highlight evidence
that you can use to help support and establish your paper. Ignore
source information that does not correlate with your thesis. (The
skill being tested is to read and extract the relevant details!)
Remember your job is to explain your thesis, NOT to summarize the
sources!