Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Persuasive Essay


Anna:
Although video games are a good thing and fun to play, they are holding kids back from attending school every day and getting good grades; it is the parents’ job to limit their children’s excessive use of video games.

According to a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Science in 2000, video games have a definite connection with high school students’ absences in school.
This shows that too many students are too busy playing video games and that they do not get enough sleep to go to school the next day. This can affect their grades.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thesis statement:
There is nothing inherently wrong with video games; with adult supervision, teens should be able to have access to video games.

Source or evidence:
According to the graphs compiled by the Entertainment Software Association, the average game player’s age is thirty and the average game buyer’s age is thirty seven.
Your words which show that your evidence supports your thesis statement:
These statistics show that most of the game players are not young kids, but rather mature adults. Most of the thirty seven year old game buyers are either buying these games for themselves or for their young children. This shows that most children are using these games under adult supervision.

In a letter from a concerned student, Nicco Josephs states the following:
In a response to an editorial, “Violent Video Games Cause Violence in Children”, a concerned reader writes,”

Counter claim:
Counter: against
If your thesis statement is that video games are dangerous, promote violence and should be severely restricted then your opponent’s counter claim would be that video games are used by hospitals to help young patients overcome their fear and pain.

BUT (your rebuttal):
The majority of gamers are not sick, frightened children.
Or (another rebuttal):
But the hospitals limit the amount of time and the type of video games played by their patients.
You have to set up your opponents’ argument and then knock it down!

For tonight:
Transfer your information onto the graphic organizer.
Then using your graphic organizer, write a five paragraph essay. Make sure you have a thesis statement; evidence to support your claim; a counter claim and a rebuttal to the counter claim.

First paragraph:
Grabber:
Can be an anecdote (short story) that proves your point

Thesis statement
2nd Paragraph:
Mini-topic sentence (lets us know what the paragraph is going to be about)
One or two sentences (at least ) which develops the idea of the mini-topic sentence
Evidence from the booklet
Comment (use your own words: the ones YOU wrote in the right box on the graphic organizer) on how the evidence proves your point. (At least one sentence in your own words but preferably two or three sentences showing how the evidence proves your thesis.)
Then a closing sentence.

Counter claim paragraph:
You should write the counter claim and the rebuttal in the body paragraphs.
Counter claim paragraph:
State the counter claim.
Then write at least one to three sentences that strike down your opponent’s claim. This is called your rebuttal. You may even use evidence to support your rebuttal.
Then write a closing sentence for that paragraph.

Concluding paragraph:
Go over the points that were introduced in the beginning paragraph and developed in the body paragraph.
Arrive at your conclusion in this paragraph.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Persuasive Essay


Short Constructed Response for Persuasion
Video Games
Short Constructed Response

Thesis Statement:
It is a sentence that tells the reader what the essay is going to be about; it also has to have your position.

Examples of thesis statements:
Although video games can be detrimental if children play them without parental supervision, video games should not be restricted by the government.

Although video games can be harmful if played without adequate adult supervision, there should not be governmental restriction placed on the use or sale of video games.

There is little or no evidence which shows that excessive use of video games is detrimental to children; therefore, no governmental restriction on its use is warranted.

There is little or no evidence that shows excessive use of video games is detrimental to children; it is the parents’ responsibility to control their children’s video use, not the government’s.

Video games can have a detrimental effect on a child who plays an excessive amount without adult supervision; therefore, there should be some governmental restriction placed on the use and sale of video games to minors.

Students’ Examples of Thesis Statement:
Anna:
Video games can be relaxing and entertaining at the end of a long day; however, they can affect the behavior and thoughts of a child or a teen; therefore, it is the parents’ job, not the government’s job, to restrict the use of video games.

Martha:
Video games have a tendency to be fun and entertaining; however, they can be addicting and can cause problems so the parents should be able to restrict their children’s access to the video games.

DaMaya:
Kids who are addicted to video games are not at fault; their parents are for buying the inappropriate video and allowing it to take over their children’s minds; therefore, the government has done its part and cannot be blamed.

Vocabulary:
Banned: to completely outlaw; to be totally against the law.

One side is demanding more restrictions
Pretty good example:
Another side is demanding no more restrictions but placing the responsibility of video use on the parents.

Video games corrupt young minds by exposing younger players to violence; the constant demand of games and new systems and the crucial impact on the behavior warrant the parents’ overseeing the child’s use of the video games.

Andy:
Video games are fine in moderation and restrictions have already been made, so the rest of the responsibility lies in the hands of the parents for each individual situation.

Sunday, November 14, 2010


NOVEMBER 15, 2010 - NOVEMBER 19, 2010

WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR 9th GRADE HONORS ENGLISH


Monday, November 15th:

Begin work on the short constructed response


Tuesday, November 16th:

Shortened Day

Begin working on the persuasive essay


Wednesday, November 17th:

Continue working on the persuasive essay


Thursday, November 18th:

Finish the persuasive essay


Friday, November 19th:

Vocabulary Fun!