Opening Monday 10/26

1. Opening Monday 10/26 Look at your notes in your spiral on compound and complex sentences. Knowing what you know, write a formula and definition of a compound-complex sentence. Write in complete sentences.

2. Answer • A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. • IND + IND +DEP(1 OR MORE) CDX • EX: After the two soccer players lost their game, they joined their other teammates for lunch, and they went to the movies

3. Standards • ELAGSE7RI2:  Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. • ELAGSE7W2:  Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content • ELAGSE7L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing

4. Thesis Statements

5. What is a thesis statement? • A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. • It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay. SO • The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion about that idea.

6. A thesis statement is one sentence. • It is placed as the last sentence in the introductory paragraph of an essay. • A thesis statement is a claim or controlling idea that can be argued. • The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument.

7. Thesis statements avoid the following: • the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.) • unclear language (It seems, etc.) • attempting two topics at once, even if they seem related. • Pick one and stick with it. • just stating a fact . A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about.

8. A thesis statement should • contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about) • contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic) • contain reasons why you hold that view (explanations answering “why?” or “so what?”).

9. A thesis statement should not be: too wordy too general too broad a title a fact

10. Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement? • One reason to live in Mableton is because it is very close to Atlanta. • Atlanta is a great place to live.

11. Too Board • Mableton is a great place to live.

12. A thesis statement should not be too wordy. Wordy • Some problems with Highlands Middle School are that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym,, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building. Better • Highlands Middle School needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

13. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement? A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known. B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

14. Too Wordy • Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

15. A thesis statement should not be too general. • Too general • Lindley Middle School is a good school. • Better • Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Lindley Middle School.

16. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? A. Music makes people happy. B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

17. Too general • Music makes people happy.

18. A thesis statement should not be a title. • A title • Cost of Living • Better • The cost of living in New York City is higher than in many other cities in the United States.

19. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title? A. Good teaching has led to an increase in ELA scores at Lindley Middle School. B. Rising ELA Scores at Lindley Middle School.

20. A Title • Rising ELA Scores at Lindley Middle School

21. A thesis statement should not be a fact. • A fact • The average temperature for Mableton in winter is in the 40’s and in summer is in the 90’s. • Better • The climate in Mableton is ideal for outdoor sports almost all year round.

22. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

23. A Fact • The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

24. OPENING TUESDAY 10/27 Combine the following clauses into one full sentence (rewrite the new sentence using the correct punctuation and any conjuctions): 1. as soon as Mary texts me back / we can go to the movie / we just need to pick up Mike first 2. my friend decided to try out for the school musical / but Mr. Johnson didn’t give her the part / because she can’t sing and dance at the same time 3. when my cousins first arrived / we got along great / but we were ready to kill each other after we had been together for twenty minutes

25. Thesis: As you explore your subject, you will begin to see possible ways to connect your ideas. A sentence that links all your main ideas and explains your opinion on those ideas is called a thesis statement.

26. Opinion: • A thesis should contain a topic (what you are writing about), an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic), and reasons why you hold that view (explanations answering “why?” or “so what?”). • In other words, a thesis needs to be an arguable claim that can be proven with facts and opinions. To check to see if a thesis is arguable, locate the opinion words.

27. Locating the Opinion in a Thesis: When you look for the opinion in a thesis, ask yourself what the writer’s attitude is towards the topic. For example, in the sentence: “Many hip-hop songs are sexist because they make women look like pretty pictures with no substance.” In the thesis, the topic is “hip-hop songs” and the controlling idea or claim is that these songs are “sexist” Another person might have had a different attitude and may have found the hip-hop songs “empowering to women”.

28. How to write a thesis statement Take notes in your spiral as you watch the video

29. “Many hip-hop songs are sexist because they make women look like pretty pictures with no substance.” • In the thesis, the topic is “hip-hop songs” and the controlling idea or claim is that these songs are “sexist” Another person might have had a different attitude and may have found the hip-hop songs “empowering to women”. • Therefore, “sexist” reveals the writer’s attitude and also indicates what the essay with this thesis statement will be focused on: demonstrating why hip-hop songs are “sexist.” This thesis statement limits the writer’s focus and clearly tells the reader what the essay will be about.

30. Underline the opinion words below; if there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis: 1)In this essay I will discuss civil rights. 2) Television is destroying the unity of the modern family. 3) In her essay, Erlich shows that there is a balance of community and isolation in her hometown. 4) While text messaging can be a handy way to stay in touch with friends and family, many people text compulsively causing them to be distracted. 5) my uncle has taught me the best lesson that the importance of putting family first.

31. More Practice

32. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

33. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Mountain City.

34. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.

35. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Lindley Middle School and Floyd Middle School differ in many ways.

36. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.

37. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.

38. Take out a piece of notebook paper and number from 1 to 10.In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad thesis statement.

39. Good or Bad • Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies. • Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s.

40. Good or Bad • Rap music is the best music ever. • Although many people find rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on today’s youth.

41. Good or Bad • I enjoy white water rafting. • The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.

42. Good or Bad • Sixth grade students are busy. • The life of a typical sixth grade student is challenging due to the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.

43. Good or Bad • Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities. • Students should help others who are less fortunate.