I. Preliminary Research: Google it! Just a little bit, yeah!
Writers often need to research information when writing about a specific topic. Strong writerss begin their preliminary ( in preparation) research by using a basic search engine.
* Google * Yahoo * Bing
Writers want to get a big picture idea of the topic:
« The Who: Who is part of this debate? Who is involved? Who is affected?
« The What: What is being debated exactly? What do the different sides want?
« The Where: Where is this topic important? NY? America? World?
« The When: What is the history of this topic? When did this debate arise? What are important moments/events associated with this debate?
« The Why: Why are people debating this topic? What are the problems associated with this topic?
II. Opening Up Our "Eyes" Revising our First Belief
Human beings are complicated! Black and white answers aren’t always enough for us. We live in “shades of grey”.
Strong writers weigh the pros and cons of their argument to deeply understand their own beliefs by writing out the aspects of both sides of the argument.
III. Discerning Credible Sources from Non-Credible Sources
There is a ton of information out there! When writers research information for a project (essay, book, film, etc.) they make sure to check the credibility (the degree of "truth") of their sources.
Strong writers and readers identify credible online sources by examining if the website/source
* is recently updated/ recently published * references other sources including studies, charts, statistics, etc. * is sponsored by a credible organization/agency ( not all organizations are legitimate). * is fact-based and not opinion-based.
Government and Organizational Websites
Government websites - those with the .gov designation - are great places to find statistics on just about any subject. Because the research is backed by a federally funded agency, you can rest assured that the information is reliable. Organizational websites that represent professional or scientific groups can be great sources, too.
The Web's most reliable news sources tend to be the same as those with respected corresponding print publications, like the New York Times. While Reuters and The Associated Press do not have print publications, they supply the nation's newspapers and media outlets with hard news stories. For students looking to National Public Radio (NPR)for information, their website usually offers transcripts of on-air interviews.
Strong writers develop a logical and persuasive argument by explaining the
a) Reason they are arguing what they are arguing for/against. What has prompted you to write about this topic? Background about what is going on about this debate/ Creating context ( who, what, where, when, etc) for reader.
b) Significance of their argument Why is your specific argument important? Why is your stance on the debate important?
c) Consequences if their argument is not recognized as legitimate and valid Why should people take your side on this argument? What will happen if people DON’T take your argument and put it into action?
A strong thesis looks like:
In recent years, major meat and dairy companies have started to sell cloned meat to supermarkets across the United States. Unfortunately, these companies are not under any legal right from the Federal Drug Administration to label the meat as meat or milk from a cloned animal. These products are sold as if they originate from a regular and non-cloned animal. This practice is a violation of consumer rights because people deserve to know exactly where and from what their meat or milk comes from. This practice threatens the safety of consumers because not enough research has been done to determine the safety of these products. The lack of rules governing ethical and proper food labeling suggests that big companies can use whatever ingredients they choose at the expense of unknown or risky consequences on the consumers, possibly resulting in illness or death. It is imperative that the FDA require all cloned food products to be labeled and distinguished from other food. -----------------------------------------------------
VI. And the Oscar for best supporting evidence goes to…
Strong writers collect "brain" evidence and "heart" evidence to persuade their reader. Brain evidence rationalizes the argument, while the Heart evidence develops empathy in the reader.
"Brain" Evidence: government agency sources, federal laws, interesting facts, statistics, percent’s, state laws, charts, research studies
"Heart" Evidence: anecdotes ( short, personal stories) and quotations from people
Writers use brain and heart evidence in their arguments to persuade their audience. Strong writers explain to their audience HOW THEIR EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THEIR ARGUMENT AND PROVES IT IS TRUE ( Analysis). Strong writers analyze their evidence by: 1) Explaining what the evidence says/shows ( paraphrase) 2) Explaining why this evidence is important 3) Explaining how the evidence proves the thesis is true
• NOT EVER PIECE OF EVIDENCE NEEDS DEEP ANALYSIS. SOMETIMES YOU WEAVE SMALLER “HEART” AND “BRAIN EVIDENCES” ALONGSIDE THE ESSENTIAL EVIDENCE.
Example: Analyzing Text Evidence
Thesis: Cloned meat should be labeled because not enough research exists to confirm its safety.
Source 1: Quotation from Expert
Emma Hockridge, head of policy at the Soil Association, which supports organic farming, animal welfare and consumer choice, said she was ‘appalled’ by the decision [ to allow cloned meat in supermarkets]. Not only are there insufficient long-term studies into the impacts on human health, cloning is cruel and damaging to animal welfare at all stages of the process,’ she said.
What does this evidence say? ( Summarize)
Emma Hockridge is communicating that not enough research has been done to affirm ( guarantee ) the safety of cloned meat products on humans,.
Why is this evidence important?
This evidence is important because it communicate just how little research exists to truthfully indicate the effects of cloning. The effects could be life-threatening and possibly cause illness or death. The government is using human beings as test subjects/guinea pigs without knowing the consequences.
How does this evidence prove the thesis is true?
This evidence supports the need for the government to enforce mandatory labeling on cloned meat/milk products because people should have the choice to buy regular meat versus meat with unknown effects. Just as people have the choice to smoke cigarettes or not smoke cigarettes, people should also have the opportunity to select their meat.
Writers need to get into the reader's mind in order to be most persuasive. Strong writers address the Counter argument in order to prove that their argument is more valid (true/correct) by DEBUNKING the opposite argument.
Example of Counter- Argument :
Thesis: The government should legally enforce the labeling of cloned products, especially meat.
Although research suggests that not enough studies exist to support the safety of cloned meat, some studies maintain that cloned meat is safe and identical to regular meat. European scientists found no compositional or nutritional differences in the milk or meat derived from clones, and "no evidence of any abnormal effects" in the progeny of cloned animals. Technically, a clone is an identical copy of the original animal, however, according to a Newsweek article titled, “Would You Like Fries With Your Clone?”, by Fred Guterl, traits can be passed from one generation [of the animal] to the next that have nothing to do with DNA. This evidence suggests that cloning may have unintended effects or complications; some of these defects may develop later in an animal’s lifetime before it is slaughtered for meat. Because there are competing scientific claims about the safety of meat, aren’t we just better off being “safe than sorry”. The Federal Drug Administration maintains that cloned meat is safe for humans to eat, but it seems science is telling us a different story. In the least, people deserve the right to know if their meat even has a possibility of being unsafe. People should have the choice of buying this type of meat and make up their own minds until more definitive research exists. Labeling cloned meat is the least the FDA can do to safeguard the people’s health and the freedom they enjoy as consumers.
Ingredients for a Strong Thesis: Reason Significance and Consequence: Describe them in depth and explain what their purpose is in the thesis
What are the 3 analysis yielding questions? What do they look like in a thematic essay? Nonfiction research essay?
What is brain and heart evidence? When should you use each? Explain their role in a paper.
I will also give you a quote to analyze and then respond to using concepts and ideas we've discussed in this unit. Look over your notes.
FOR FRIDAY PLEASE BRING YOUR GRADED COPY OF THE MY FAVORITE POEM PROJECT. WE WILL BE REFLECTING ON ALL OUR WORK FOR THE YEAR BY LOOKING AT OUR PORTFOLIOS.