Day #80 - 1/19/16 - Learning Stations - Writing a Conclusion to an Analytical Essay

Good Morning Sixth Graders,

          I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. Today is an E day, so we will go to Music. 
Please...

• Sharpen your pencils
• Order your lunch
• Check your mailbox
• Get your Reading folder

                                     Thank you

                                     Mr. Trumble

Point to Ponder: Trivia Tuesday...You know what to do!!!

#1 Guided Reading (We do)

Using Cornell Notes to align the main character from your guided reading book with the hero's journey.

• Objective = Aligning Two Texts
• Write an essential question
• Use the depth of knowledge stems to write a level 1, 2, & 3 question before reading.
• Write notes about the main idea and key details while reading. 

#2 Independent Reading & Word Work (You do)

• Read: Finish reading the assigned pages 
• Analyze: Record info about Main Idea & Key details. 
• Word Work/Build Vocabulary: Add words from your Guided Reading book to your list of vocabulary words
• Make 1 Frayer Model in your Reading Response Notebook

#3 Social Studies (You do)

• Read the Biographical essay about Martin Luther King Jr.
• Use the Guided Notes to record Main Ideas and Key Details
• Record 3 facts for each category

#4 Work on Writing (You do)

• Writing a conclusion

ABOUT CONCLUSIONS

     Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. While the body is often easier to write, it needs a frame around it. An introduction and conclusion frame your thoughts and bridge your ideas for the reader.

     Just as your introduction acts as a bridge that transports your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. Such a conclusion will help them see why all your analysis and information should matter to them after they put the paper down.

     Your conclusion is your chance to have the last word on the subject. The conclusion allows you to have the final say on the issues you have raised in your paper, to synthesize your thoughts, to demonstrate the importance of your ideas, and to propel your reader to a new view of the subject. It is also your opportunity to make a good final impression and to end on a positive note.

     Your conclusion can go beyond the confines of the assignment. The conclusion pushes beyond the boundaries of the prompt and allows you to consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate on the significance of your findings.

     Your conclusion should make your readers glad they read your paper. Your conclusion gives your reader something to take away that will help them see things differently or appreciate your topic in personally relevant ways. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest your reader, but also enrich your reader’s life in some way. It is your gift to the reader.

STRATEGIES FOR WRITING AN EFFECTIVE CONCLUSION

One or more of the following strategies may help you write an effective conclusion.

• Play the “So What” Game. If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying anything new or interesting, ask a friend to read it with you. Whenever you make a statement from your conclusion, ask the friend to say, “So what?” or “Why should anybody care?” Then ponder that question and answer it.
  You can also use this strategy on your own, asking yourself “So What?” as you develop your ideas or your draft.
• Synthesize, don’t summarize: Include a brief summary of the paper’s main points, but don’t simply repeat things that were in your paper. Instead, show your reader how the points you made and the support and examples you used fit together. Pull it all together. Why is your analysis important to your reader?
• Propose a course of action, or questions for further Inquiry. This can redirect your reader’s thought process and help her to apply your info and ideas to her own life or to see the broader implications. For example, how does your analysis apply to other stories, novels, and movies.

STRATEGIES TO AVOID

• Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as “in conclusion,” “in summary,” or “in closing.” Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as wooden and trite in writing.
• Introducing a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion.
• Ending with a rephrased thesis statement.
• Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of an analytical paper.
• Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper.

One KIND OF INEFFECTIVE CONCLUSION

1. The “That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It” Conclusion.(Also known as "Now you know.")
   This conclusion just restates the thesis and is usually painfully short. It does not push the ideas forward. People write this kind of conclusion when they can’t think of anything else to say. Example: In conclusion, Frederick Douglass was, as we have seen, a pioneer in American education.

Conclusions should:

• Link your conclusion to your introduction
• Reflect on your thesis
• Why does your analysis matter to the reader?
• Recommend a course of action or a new way of thinking.
• Answer the question, "So what?"

How will your writing be evaluated?

Base Writing (5 - 7 paragraphs)

• Introduction paragraph
• 1-2 paragraphs per Act
• Conclusion paragraph

Advanced Writing (8 - 11 paragraphs)

• Introduction Paragraph
• 2 - 3 paragraphs per Act
• Conclusion Paragraph

Expert Writing (12 Paragraphs)

• Introduction
• 1 paragraph per stage of the Hero's Journey
• Conclusion

Analytical Essay 

(One type of Pattern for your Writing)

• 1. Intro sentence
• Ex: Harry Potter receives a call to adventure.
• Ex: Harry has allies and helpers that assist him along the Hero's Journey.
• Ex: Harry has to face a road of trials throughout the story. 
• 2. Sentence describing the stage of the Hero's Journey.
• Ex: According to the Hero's Journey....
• Ex: In this stage of the Hero's Journey...
• 3. Sentence about your detail
• Ex:
• 4. Sentence explaining your evidence
• In the text it says...
• In the novel...
• In the book...
• According to the Author...
• 5. Sentence connecting your detail and evidence. 
• Ex: This shows...
• Ex: This evidence proves...
• Ex: This demonstrates how...

#5 Computer - Open Ed

• Step 1: Under the LINKS tab, click on the open ed link
• Step 2: Choose one of the activities to try or one of the videos to watch. 
• Step 3: Be sure you complete each assignment to the best of your ability. Review your answers and work to raise your score to 100% Mastery.
• Step 4: Before signing out of "OpenEd" check your "Mastery List". 

Homework: Finish conclusion to your analytical essay.