Defensible Thesis Microlearning Lesson
The practice is tailored to Rhetorical Analysis, but this Microlearning Lesson entails everything you need to know to score the thesis point on the AP Language & Composition Exam!
1. Learning Objectives & ISTE
2. What's a Defensible Thesis?
3. Things to Consider
4. Sample Thesis Statement
5. Practice Opportunity
6. Extra Resources
1. Learning Objectives & ISTE
Learning Objective: Students will be able to construct a defensible thesis statement by breaking down the different components of them. ISTE: 1.1.a Learning Goals: Students connect their learning needs, strengths and interests to their goals and use technology to help achieve them and reflect on their progress.
Learning objectives are to help guide your learning as they define what students are expected to acquire by the end of the lesson. International Standards for Technology in Education (ISTE) empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process.
2. What's a Defensible Thesis?
Defensible (adj.): Able to be justified through evidence and logic Thesis (n.): A statement that captures the main topic of a writing; an argument So what does this all mean?
Before we dive in, let's take a moment to break down the phrase to help us understand what's being asked.
CLICK HERE
Does it respond to the prompt?
Is it debatable?
3. Things to Consider
+Info
+Info
As you craft your thesis statement, ask yourself the following questions to help determine whether or not it's a defensible thesis.
Is it specific?
+Info
Prompt: Reshma Saujani is an attorney, author, and activist who founded Girls Who Code, an organization that works to advance opportunities for girls and women to find careers in the technology sector. The following passage is excerpted from Saujani’s contribution to American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, a 2018 anthology of essays by prominent Americans with backgrounds in multiple cultures. The excerpt begins after Saujani discusses founding a multicultural student organization at her high school. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Saujani makes to convey her message about the nature of bravery. Sample Thesis: In her contribution to "American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures", a 2018 anthology of essays by diverse, multicultural Americans, Indian-American attorney, author, and activist interpretation of bravery, which she defines asa strength intrinsic for one's unique identity, and offen exemplifies individualistic expression. Saujani expertly communicates this powerful message through the use of metaphors, and repetition.
4. Sample Thesis Statement
Let's take a look at an exemplary thesis statement. Think about what was done well before clicking on the grey box for my input
What was done well?
5. Practice Opportunity
Prompt: President Ronald Reagan addressed the American people in a live broadcast on January 28, 1986. Previously that day, the nation watched in horror as the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded mid-air with the first group of civilian astronauts, including a teacher, on board. Children watched from their classrooms and families gathered to watch the launch, only to see the tragedy unfold live. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Reagan makes to convey his sympathy. Thesis: In his speech, Reagan uses rhetorical devices to motivate the nation to become astronauts.
Now that we've gone over what a defensible thesis statement is and looked at a sample, it's time to get some practice. Provided is a thesis that wouldn't get the point on the AP Exam. Your task is to edit it so it is defensible and would receive the point.
Tips
6. Extra Resources
Still have questions about how to write a defensible thesis statement? Feel free to watch the following videos for extra tips and explanations!
Rember to ask youself the following: 1. Does it respond to the prompt? 2. Is it debatable? 3. Is it specific? Feel free to reference the previous slides as you revise.
The response presents a two-sentence defensible thesis in which the first sentence establishes the emphasis on bravery with a focused assertion about what it means, and the second sentence provides the rhetorical choices.
A defensible thesis statement is an argumentative claim that can be supported with evidence and logic
Is your argument clear? IS there anything you can specify?
Reread the prompt and your thesis statement (not your introduction). Do you address the prompt?
Could someone disagree or argue against your thesis?
Defensible Thesis Microlearning Lesson
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Transcript
Defensible Thesis Microlearning Lesson
The practice is tailored to Rhetorical Analysis, but this Microlearning Lesson entails everything you need to know to score the thesis point on the AP Language & Composition Exam!
1. Learning Objectives & ISTE
2. What's a Defensible Thesis?
3. Things to Consider
4. Sample Thesis Statement
5. Practice Opportunity
6. Extra Resources
1. Learning Objectives & ISTE
Learning Objective: Students will be able to construct a defensible thesis statement by breaking down the different components of them. ISTE: 1.1.a Learning Goals: Students connect their learning needs, strengths and interests to their goals and use technology to help achieve them and reflect on their progress.
Learning objectives are to help guide your learning as they define what students are expected to acquire by the end of the lesson. International Standards for Technology in Education (ISTE) empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process.
2. What's a Defensible Thesis?
Defensible (adj.): Able to be justified through evidence and logic Thesis (n.): A statement that captures the main topic of a writing; an argument So what does this all mean?
Before we dive in, let's take a moment to break down the phrase to help us understand what's being asked.
CLICK HERE
Does it respond to the prompt?
Is it debatable?
3. Things to Consider
+Info
+Info
As you craft your thesis statement, ask yourself the following questions to help determine whether or not it's a defensible thesis.
Is it specific?
+Info
Prompt: Reshma Saujani is an attorney, author, and activist who founded Girls Who Code, an organization that works to advance opportunities for girls and women to find careers in the technology sector. The following passage is excerpted from Saujani’s contribution to American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, a 2018 anthology of essays by prominent Americans with backgrounds in multiple cultures. The excerpt begins after Saujani discusses founding a multicultural student organization at her high school. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Saujani makes to convey her message about the nature of bravery. Sample Thesis: In her contribution to "American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures", a 2018 anthology of essays by diverse, multicultural Americans, Indian-American attorney, author, and activist interpretation of bravery, which she defines asa strength intrinsic for one's unique identity, and offen exemplifies individualistic expression. Saujani expertly communicates this powerful message through the use of metaphors, and repetition.
4. Sample Thesis Statement
Let's take a look at an exemplary thesis statement. Think about what was done well before clicking on the grey box for my input
What was done well?
5. Practice Opportunity
Prompt: President Ronald Reagan addressed the American people in a live broadcast on January 28, 1986. Previously that day, the nation watched in horror as the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded mid-air with the first group of civilian astronauts, including a teacher, on board. Children watched from their classrooms and families gathered to watch the launch, only to see the tragedy unfold live. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Reagan makes to convey his sympathy. Thesis: In his speech, Reagan uses rhetorical devices to motivate the nation to become astronauts.
Now that we've gone over what a defensible thesis statement is and looked at a sample, it's time to get some practice. Provided is a thesis that wouldn't get the point on the AP Exam. Your task is to edit it so it is defensible and would receive the point.
Tips
6. Extra Resources
Still have questions about how to write a defensible thesis statement? Feel free to watch the following videos for extra tips and explanations!
Rember to ask youself the following: 1. Does it respond to the prompt? 2. Is it debatable? 3. Is it specific? Feel free to reference the previous slides as you revise.
The response presents a two-sentence defensible thesis in which the first sentence establishes the emphasis on bravery with a focused assertion about what it means, and the second sentence provides the rhetorical choices.
A defensible thesis statement is an argumentative claim that can be supported with evidence and logic
Is your argument clear? IS there anything you can specify?
Reread the prompt and your thesis statement (not your introduction). Do you address the prompt?
Could someone disagree or argue against your thesis?