Learning to Write Well

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Learning to Write Well

• The CHS Common Writing Curriculum

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The Written Argument

• The Essay
• An argument that is supported by the text or
  information studied.
• The Research paper
• A researched argument that is supported by
  multiple sources
• These arguments require an original idea by the
  author that must be argued in the paper
• This differs from a simple report that only
  presents information without an argument

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Thesis Statements

• Every argument must have a thesis statement
• A thesis is a written statement that presents the
  argument you will be proving in your work
• The thesis statement must be located in the
  opening paragraph, usually the last line.
• Thesis statements drive the paper and without one
  a paper can not be further developed

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Thesis Statements Helpful Hints

• A thesis should be a succinct
  statement.not a paragraph
• A thesis should be arguable
• Columbia High has a wrestling team. (not
  arguable)
• Columbia High has the best wrestling team in the
  state. (arguablesome one might disagree)
• A thesis should be measurable
• Thomas Paine developed propaganda that motivated
  troops, encouraged new volunteers and eventually
  allowed America to win the Revolutionary War.
• The reader will expect to read about the three
  topics listed in the thesis and should be able to
  check them off as the thesis is proven.

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I have a thesisnow what?

• Once you have decided what you are going to prove
  in your argument you must plan your paper.
• You will begin this process using a
• CDW CHART

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A blank CDW chart looks like this

• Thesis statement _________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______________________________
• Claim Data Warrant

1. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4.
2. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4.
3. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4.
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CDW Chart Completion

• Completing this chart requires complete
  sentences.
• It also requires data from your sources
• You will have to have good claims to complete the
  chart correctly and fully

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What is a Claim?

• This is a statement of your topic (what your
  paragraph is about) AND your specific opinion or
  observation about it.
• It is one sentence (usually) and includes the
  author and title of the literary work you intend
  to cite in your DATA (punctuated correctly).
• It is as detailed and specific as you can make
  it!

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Making Claims

• A claim should be a statement that supports your
  thesis and can be proven
• Ex Thesis Columbia High School has the best
  wrestling team in the state.
• Ex Claim Columbias wrestlers are the most
  physically talented.
• This claim supports the thesis and requires data
  to prove it.

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Making Claims

• You will make at least 3 claims to support an
  argument
• EX Thesis CHS has the best wrestling team in the
  state.
• Claim 1- CHS wrestlers are the most physically
  gifted.
• Claim 2- CHS wrestlers are coached well.
• Claim 3- CHS wrestlers are successful in every
  tournament situation.

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Now it is time to find your Data

• What is Data?
• Facts, statistics or researched findings
• Quotes from authoritative sources
• Evidence from your text or notes

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Use Data to Support Claims

• Data comes from the information you are basing
  your argument from
• The text you studied or notes from class
• Researched sources
• Your instructor will determine where your data
  comes from when the paper is assigned.
• EX Your Romeo and Juliet essay will be written
  using the play as your source material

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Data Example

• Ex Thesis Columbia High School has the best
  wrestling team in the state.
• Ex Claim Columbias wrestlers are the most
  physically talented.
• Ex Data Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the
  top three of their weight classes going into the
  2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News).

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Good Informationbut your argument needs to
explain what you think

• It is time to WARRANT your ideas

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What does Warrant mean?

• To warrant something means to prove or explain
  the credibility or truth of something
• When you warrant your data..you are explaining
  why the data proves your claim and ultimately
  your thesis statement

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An easy way to think about warranting your
data.is to answer the question

• SO WHAT?

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Warrant example

• Ex Thesis Columbia High School has the best
  wrestling team in the state.
• Ex Claim Columbias wrestlers are the most
  physically talented.
• Ex Data Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the
  top three of their weight classes going into the
  2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News).
• EX Warrant These ranked wrestlers prove that
  outside wrestling information bodies believe that
  Columbia wrestlers are the best at what they do.
  These boys will be the ones to beat at every
  tournament because they are the most talented.

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After you have completed warranting your datait
is time to repeat the process
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A Completed CDW chart would look like this
Thesis __Columbia High has the best wrestling
team in the state of Idaho.
Claim Data Warrant
Claim 1 Columbias wrestlers are the most physically talented. Data Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the top three of their weight classes going into the 2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News). DataA wrestling fan from Blackfoot states that,Columbias level of talent makes it apparent that they have a dynatsty in the making (Gator). These ranked wrestlers prove that outside wrestling information bodies believe that Columbia wrestlers are the best at what they do. These boys will be the ones to beat at every tournament because they are the most talented The talent level at Columbia is apparent to opposing teams and rivals. These teams know that it will be hard to break Columbias hold on state dominance due to our talent level. Talent is no question important to a good a program but great coaching also plays an important role

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Once you are finished with the chart

• You can begin to write your paper

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A body paragraph template would look like this

• Topic Sentence/Claim______________________________
  __________________________________________________
  ______________
• Data______________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______
• Warrant___________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______
• Warrant___________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______
• Data______________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______
• Warrant___________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______
• Warrant___________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _______
• Closing Warrant/Transition
• __________________________________________________
  ________________

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Your claim, data, warrant becomes your body
paragraphs
Columbias wrestlers are the most physically
talented. Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the
top three of their weight classes going into the
2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News).
These ranked wrestlers prove that outside
wrestling information bodies believe that
Columbia wrestlers are the best at what they do.
These boys will be the ones to beat at every
tournament because they are the most talented. A
wrestling fan from Blackfoot states that
Columbias level of talent makes it apparent
that they have a dynasty in the making (Gator).
The talent level at Columbia is apparent to
opposing teams and rivals. These teams know that
it will be hard to break Columbias hold on state
dominance due to our talent level. Talent is no
question important to a good a program but great
coaching also plays an important role.

• .

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Why is writing this way helpful?

1. It keeps your argument structured.
2. It keeps your argument focused.
3. It keeps your argument supported by data.
4. It allows for the writers ideas to be the
   central focus.

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CHS Language Arts teachers want you to be
successful in your written endeavors.

• Learn CDW and you should be on your way to great
  work!