"Do cell phones belong in the LA classroom?"
After direct instruction and modeling students will partner up and create a Synthesis Essay with 4 paragraphs and harvested and embedded text. It will be a 4- chunk essay with a Introduction and Conclusion. This essay will be due: Friday: October 4th.
Hand-out for direct instruction_________________
Synthesis Writing “A How to”
“In composition courses, “synthesis” commonly refers to writing about printed texts, drawing together particular themes or traits that you observe in those texts and organizing the material from each text according to those themes or traits. Sometimes you may be asked to synthesize your own ideas, theory, or research with those of the texts you have been assigned”(Jamieson).
Introduction: (3 parts)
- Provides contextual/background information that readers would need to fully understand your argument.
- Address the other side
- Thesis: Contains a statement that sums up the focus of your synthesis and addresses the three arguments to prove your thesis
Body Paragraphs:(There needs to be two completer body paragraphs, make sure your topic statements match your CD's and your Topic Statements match your Thesis.
TS
CD (quote from text 3)
CM, CM
CD (quote from text 1)
CM, CM
CS Although...(address the other side-synthesize-conclusion)
One of the major benefits of a freshman campus is that grade 9 students do not need to worry about harassment from older students. It is typical that 9th graders are targeted or hazed by older students who want to demonstrate their seniority over younger students. This hazing “can lead to fights” (Kristoff 5) and cause emotional damage to young adults. It is well known that bullying happens at high schools. Freshman hazing is not a new issue. When freshman have their own campus, students do not have to worry about a junior or senior pushing them in hallways or verbally abusing them. As a result of not having to deal with upper class bullies, many teachers noticed that “kids [had] more confidence” (Woodrow 1) in class and much more focus . When students have confidence, they want to come to school. As a result, they are more focused on their academics because they do not have to worry or have anxiety when they walk from class to class. Though bullying may still happen between grade 9 students, it is easier to catch because of the smaller number of students. Freshman campuses are indeed a benefit to the well-being of grade 9 students as they do not have to worry about over zealous juniors or seniors touting their so-called authority.
Conclusion:
- State your overall case again
- Why your argument is better than the other side
- Call to action
Freshman academies or campuses provide a definite benefit to grade 9 students. While the opposition may state that these campuses divide a high school or limit the high school experience, this is definitely not the case. There are several examples of freshman campuses where bullying and discipline rates were cut dramatically. As a result, failure and dropout rates also dropped. These are definite benefits and clearly outweigh any negative arguments against the freshman campus. It is clear that more freshman campuses should be implemented throughout Washington.
Jamieson, Sandra. "Resources for Writers: Synthesis Writing." Resources for Writers: Synthesis Writing. Drew University, 1999. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.