The Timed Write, Animated…Volume 1: Deductive ProcessVolume 2: Inductive Process

Because good writing is kind of like manure…..When you read a prompt, chew on it, ruminate on it, digest it from multiple points of view (in my case, stomachs, 6 of them). The “end” result? An essay rich in persuasion (thesis), supporting reasons and evidence (claims/commentary), and a fertile conclusion that allows your ideas to blossom in the minds of your audience.

The Steaks Are High!

1. Timed Writing Is an Assessment of Your Ability to read critically (your explanation of the writer’s argument).2. Generate an Logical Response to the Promptand Draft a well-written response that -explains the argument/problem in the prompt, -supports your argument/thesis with well-developed and thought-stimulating claims, and -shows that you can think BEYOND the prompt by concluding with “bird’s eye view / theme word” application of its underlying .

concepts, themes, or principles. .

When Will I Be Asked to Write in a Timed Situation?

Classroom Tests of your Knowledge in a SubjectHigh School District TestsCAHSEEEAP (CSU-Required)SAT (25 Minutes)AP/SAT subject testsCollege Placement ExamsSpeech and DebateApplied Scientific Research

What can I learn from this Cow Show that I don’t already know about essay writing?

Timed Writing Is an Assessment of Your Ability to Read Critically.

Critical Reading: Digest the PromptThe Steaks Are High!

QuickLink: The CollegeBoard (SAT Timed Write)

Photographs are very much a part of our daily

lives. They show us faraway places, things to

buy, important people and happenings, and

sometimes just the ordinary. These pictures seem

like frozen moments of real life. Cameras do copy

what is in front of the lens, and so, in that sense,

photographs show us what is real. They are at

the same time, however, creations of the artist's

intentions and unconscious mind.

Prompt : Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt:

Topic Words Categories/Ideas for Evidence

Author’s Argument

Key “Bird’s Eye View” Theme

Words

PhotographsReal lifeArtist’s intentionsUnconscious mind

Places, things, people, events, the ordinary.

Photographs have 2 conflicting purposes: what was there, in reality and how the artist saw it.”

real life,frozen moments,artist’s intentions,unconscious mind

Timed Writing Is an Assessment of Your Ability to Read Critically. The Steaks Are High!

P h o t o g r a p h s a r e v e r y m u c h a p a r t o f o u r d a i l y l i v e s . T h e y s h o w u s f a r a w a y p l a c e s , t h i n g s t o b u y , i m p o r t a n t p e o p l e a n d h a p p e n i n g s , a n d s o m e t i m e s j u s t t h e o r d i n a r y . T h e s e p i c t u r e s s e e m l i k e f r o z e n m o m e n t s o f r e a l l i f e . C a m e r a s d o c o p y w h a t i s i n f r o n t o f t h e l e n s , a n d s o , i n t h a t s e n s e , p h o t o g r a p h s s h o w u s w h a t i s r e a l . T h e y a r e a t t h e s a m e t i m e , h o w e v e r , c r e a t i o n s o f t h e a r t i s t ' s i n t e n t i o n s a n d u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d .

Prompt : Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt:

Digest….Ruminate…Digest…Think….Digest…Process…Break itdown…

Adapted from Leslie Sills, In Real Life: Six Women

Photographers Assignment: Are photographs

straightforward representations of real life, or are they

artistic creations reflecting the photographer's point of

view? Plan and write an essay in which you develop

your point of view on this issue. Support your position

with reasoning and examples taken from your

reading, studies, experience, or observations.

What I Learned in Cowledge:Field grass is fibrous and hard to digest. That’s why cows have so many stomach chambers. It takes them a long time to break down their food. You don’t have time, but you can develop the habit of thinking through (digesting) all parts of prompt.

Assignment: Are photographs straightforward

representations of real life, or are they artistic

creations reflecting the photographer's point of

view? Plan and write an essay in which you

develop your point of view on this issue. Support

your position with reasoning and examples taken

from your reading, studies, experience, or

observations.

A-HA:

OR is the

signal word for taking

a persuasive position.

Now, Critically Read (Digest) the PromptArt: Which

one is it, according to me? Or is it some-thing else

entirely?

RealLifeArtist’s

P.O.V.

Which is it? If you

aren’t sure yet, glance

back to your

prompt/text dissection

notes/chart .

If You have a strong stance on the issue presented in the prompt, it’s a good idea to write deductively.

This is a “top-down” approach, meaning you plan and brainstorm in this sequence:

What’s My Position?

Topic Words Categories/Ideas for Evidence

Author’s Argument

Key “Bird’s Eye View” Theme

Words (big ideas)

PhotographsReal lifeArtist’s intentionsUnconscious mind

Places, things, people, events, the ordinary.

Photographs have 2 conflicting purposes: what was there, in reality and how the artist saw it.”

real life,frozen moments,artist’s intentions,unconscious mind

1. Frame my argument (thesis) as a strong persuasive sentence.

2. Identify my most compelling reasons (claims) for the argument in my thesis.

3. Select examples from varied categories. Think through the commentary: How will the evidence be explained to strengthen and elaborate upon the veracity of each claim?

4. Remember to consider the big ideas for the conclusion.

TOP

DOWN

But I don’t have time to do all this manure in 45 minutes!* Just Be Quick About It!

1. Read prompt, circle topic/issue words, conflict words, and key details.

.

Bummer: Guitar Hero Gets the Ax! -By Flo DeAngelo“These days, guns are more popular than guitars, at least when it comes to video games. The company behind ‘Guitar Hero’ said Wednesday that it is pulling the plug on one of the most influential video game titles of the new century. Activision Blizzard, Inc., the same company that produces the strategic military game ‘Call of Duty’, will no longer make the rock star game that made the company a star when it debuted in 2003. ‘It just became repetitive,’ said CEO Allistair Jovian, adding, ’And some players, who expected it to actually teach them guitar, were disappointed and turned off.’ Thus, the principle of artificial environments, worlds, as gamers say, are best kept on the plane of the impossible. People are waking up and realizing that they can play an actual guitar, or punch with actual gloves in the ring. Thus, the video game companies that survive will always be the ones that allow us to do what the law prohibits: hurt, abuse, misuse, and kill each other.”

2. Write a sentence that explains the writer’s argument accurately. If you don’t have time for a blingy intro, this sentence will do.1.Writer __________ explains her views on the complications of

_____________, concluding that the most important

consideration is ________________________________.

2. In the article “____________”, writer ___________’s response

to the issue of ___________ is ________________.

3. The author, __________, contends that _________________ is

the underlying principle of being _________________

3. Jot an evidence/ideas chart.Evidence Categories My Evidence Brainstorm My Opinions/Ideas about

my evidence

Text, key words*, details “ “Issue:

Tone words:

*provides a birds eye view even if you don’t do VG

Problem/conflict?

Author thinks:I think:

Personal experience and observation

----

From each of these, I infer---

Reading, Film, History, Pop culture knowledge. Proper Nouns are always stronger

----

When I pick these apart, I notice that what they are saying about the issue/conflict is…

Does My Evidence Suggest I Can Write a stronger AGREE or DISAGREE essay?

4. Select or combine ideas to draft claim sentences (Agree)

Claims Sentence Frames (or skeletons)*

My Evidence Brainstorm(select and record what you will use)

Write your claims sentences here

In tandem with the author, I too believe….. because the problem of ….. Is …….. (describe nature of the problem)Furthermore, it’s essential that we chip away at….address….solve…wake up… (why you agree with author’s solution/pov)

However, when expressing his/her views on …(aspect of the problem), ________ forgets that….. I know that it won’t be easy… I anticipate that those who disagree with me will say

S E N T E N C E

4. Select or combine ideas to draft claim sentences (Disagree)

Claims Sentence Frames (or skeletons)*

My Evidence Brainstorm(select and record what you will use)

Write your claims sentences here

In stark contrast to the author, I believe….. because the problem of ….. Is actually…….. (describe nature of the problem)Thus, because the issue is described by the author…. His/her view of the solution is…overly simple, misguided, impossible… (why you disagree with author’s solution/pov)Although I disagree with the author’s premise that…. I do believe there is something to ___’s conclusion. (This is your concession clause…..What part of author’s POV was valuable or logical to you…)

S E N T E N C E

5. Reread the claim sentences: in sum, what’s your argument? To what extent do you agree or disagree – what argument does your evidence point to?

thesis

6. On the brainstorming paper the essay test deities provide, write the thesis. (include a because clause, concession clause, or rebuttal)

Disagree ExampleAlthough there are elements, such as ________, of the writer’s argument about __________ that convince me, I see the situation differently. When considering _________, the issue is whether_______________ and the conclusion my experience and reading support is______________.

7. (On the lines provided for writing the essay, skip 2-3 lines, write the In

Another Thesis Frame – This is an Add On that will Bring in the Bird_________’s statement, she contends that the issue of ___________ (key words circled on #1) is a matter of believing/valuing _________ (the action phrase, solution offered by the author).

8. Skip a couple more lines (you’ll add a claims preview and/or transition to the intro with five minutes left, if possible).

Claims Preview Sentence Skeleton

Because _______ is more important than _________ and because I see an alternative solution to the conflict described by the author, I disagree with the premise that the problem of ___________ should be viewed as __________. Even though _________ makes a logical argument for ___________, in the big picture, _________ matters most in my view.

9. Use the claims you developed to start your body paragraphs.

Writer ________ argues that in viewing the conflict between ______ and _________, the effect is ______ by a solution that _______. While I agree with the writer’s characterization of _______ as a problem, my views on addressing this conflict and repairing its damage are polar opposite to those of the writer.

In tandem with the author, I too believe….. because the problem of ….. Is …….. (describe nature of the problem) CONTEXT EVIDENCE COMMENTARY3, Conclusion (Fuse claim with thesis)

Furthermore, it’s essential that we chip away at….address….solve…wake up… (why you agree with author’s solution/pov) CONTEXT EVIDENCE COMMENTARY3 Conclusion (Fuse claim with thesis)

However, when expressing his/her views on …(aspect of the problem), ________ forgets that….. I know that it won’t be easy… I anticipate that those who disagree with me will say. CONTEXT EVIDENCE COMMENTARY3 Conclusion (Fuse claim with thesis)

In closing, while I believe that _________ (concession/rebuttal), I see the ________ (problem) in light of __________ and _________ (BEV). ________ (ev review) and _________(ev review) imply that……. ________ is never/always/sometimes _______, though. That’s why…..

Claims Sentence Frames (or skeletons)*

In tandem with the author, I too believe….. because the problem of ….. Is …….. (describe nature of the problem)

Furthermore, it’s essential that we chip away at….address….solve…wake up… (why you agree with author’s solution/pov)

However, when expressing his/her views on …(aspect of the problem), ________ forgets that….. I know that it won’t be easy… I anticipate that those who disagree with me will say

9. Include context, evidence, and #_ sentences of commentary, then conclude by tying this paragraph’s claim to YOUR agree/disagree thesis at end of each paragraph. Repeat twice.

In tandem with the author, I too believe….. because the problem of ….. Is …….. (describe nature of the problem)

CONTEXTEVIDENCE

COMMENTARY3,

Conclusion (Fuse claim with thesis)

Furthermore, it’s essential that we chip away at….address….solve…wake up… (why you agree with author’s solution/pov) CONTEXT EVIDENCE COMMENTARY3 Conclusion (Fuse claim with thesis)

However, when expressing his/her views on …(aspect of the problem), ________ forgets that….. I know that it won’t be easy… I anticipate that those who disagree with me will say. CONTEXT EVIDENCE COMMENTARY3 Conclusion (Fuse claim with thesis)

10. Write your conclusion, connecting the issue/theme beyond the scope of the argument.

In closing, while I believe that _________

(concession/rebuttal), I see the ________ (problem) in

light of __________ and _________ (BEV). ________

(ev review) and _________(ev review) imply that…….

________ is never/always/sometimes _______,

though. That’s why…..

Hook

Writer ________ argues that in viewing the conflict between

______ and _________, the effect is ______ by a solution that

_______. While I agree with the writer’s characterization of

_______ as a problem, my views on addressing this conflict and

repairing its damage are polar opposite to those of the writer.

(claims preview)

12. As time allows, add claims preview to your introduction, add a hook, and proofread (These are in order of importance).

“You Don’t Know Jack About America” by Charlie Johns

“The idea that more people know more about who lives in a pineapple under the sea than about who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is scary. Studies show that millions of natural born American citizens know very little about the US government. On an episode of The Jay Leno Show Jay did a segment called “Jay-Walking” where he asked people if they knew who the vice president was, the speaker of the house, and basic questions about the US government system. […] I blame a large part of that on our entire Social Studies education system. […] It is no wonder that more immigrants know who the father of our constitution is than do American citizens (It’s James Madison in case you didn’t know). If the teachers aren’t giving us the tools to our country how can they expect us to run the country one day? If we the students don’t learn our government’s workings, how will we be productive citizens?”

Instructions for writing: In a well developed essay, explain the writers argument, then discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the author’s point of view. Support your position with reasons and evidence drawn from your reading, film, history, current events, popular culture, personal experience, and observations.

Sentence Skeletons 4 “Explain the Author’s Argument”

1.Writer __________ explains his views on the complications of _____________,

concluding that the most important consideration is

________________________________.

2. In the article “____________”, writer ___________ response to the problem of

___________ is ________________.

3. The author, __________, contends that _________________ is the answer to

_________________Charlie Johns

Social Studies’2nd class status in education

having the knowledge to participate in and protect the government that protects us.

“You Don’t Know Jack About America” Charlie Johns’

an embarrassing lack of knowledge about participating in and protecting the government that protects us.

the second class status of Social Studies in K-12 education

Changing the second class status of Social Studies in K-12 education

Charlie Johns

having the knowledge to participate in and protect the government that protects us.

1.Writer __________ explains his views on the complications of _____________,

concluding that the most important consideration is

________________________________.

2. In the article “____________”, writer ___________ response to the problem of

___________ is ________________.

3. The author, __________, contends that _________________ is the answer to

_________________

Explain Author’s Argument

S E N T E N C E

Brainstorm Evidence and IdeasEvidence Categories My Evidence Brainstorm My Opinions/Ideas about

my evidence

Text, key words*, details “ “Issue:

Tone words:

*provides a birds eye view even if you don’t do VG

Problem/conflict?

Author thinks:I think:

Personal experience and observation

----

From each of these, I infer---

Reading, Film, History, Pop culture knowledge. Proper Nouns are always stronger

----

When I pick these apart, I notice that what they are saying about the issue/conflict is…

Weigh Your Evidence To I.D. Your opinion or point of view

After weighing your Evidence, write ClaimsEvidence Categories My Evidence Brainstorm My Opinions/Ideas about

my evidence

Claims Sentence Frames (or skeletons)*

My Evidence Brainstorm(select and record what you will use)

Write your claims sentences here

In tandem with the author, I too believe….. because the problem of ….. Is …….. (describe nature of the problem)

Furthermore, it’s essential that we chip away at….address….solve…wake up… (why you agree with author’s solution/pov)

However, when expressing his/her views on …(aspect of the problem), ________ forgets that….. I know that it won’t be easy… I anticipate that those who disagree with me will say

After seeing the birds eye view (theme word) that showsa up in some/all of your claims, use that term and your claim ideas to draft a thesis.

claim

claim

claim

THESIS STATEMENT:

Body Paragraph Outline (sentences please)

I. Claim

A. Context

1. Evidence

a. Commentary:

b. Commentary:

c. Commentary

B. Conclusion (fuse claim and thesis)

Body Paragraph Outline (sentences please)

I. Claim

A. Context

1. Evidence

a. Commentary:

b. Commentary:

c. Commentary

B. Conclusion (fuse claim and thesis)

Body Paragraph Outline (sentences please)

I. Claim (Concession or rebuttal)

A. Context

1. Evidence

a. Commentary:

b. Commentary:

c. Commentary

B. Conclusion (fuse claim and thesis)

Tie Your Shoe LacesProofread

Hear it as if someone is reading it out loud in your mind.

Make improvements in

-diction (word choice to strengthen tone)

-mechanics (affect/effect; plurals – women – for singulars – woman, capitalization, punctuation, add transitions)

Do Your Endzone Dance as You Bring Me Your Essay (on test day)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCM8u6DglE0