TSIA2 Boot Camp - Supporting Points & Planning Your Essay

Multiple Choice

True or False: The TSIA2 Essay requires extensive background knowledge of the topic behind the assignment (prompt).

• True

• False

Multiple Select

Supporting points should:

(check all that apply)

• Be specific rather than vague or general

• Be neutral in subject to remove any offense

• Be directly tied to your thesis

• Be easy to develop into full paragraphs with explanations or examples

Open Ended

Assignment

Is using technology in a classroom being resourceful or cheating?

Write your thesis statement. Make sure you've taken a clear position, given a reason, and backed it up with two supporting points.

Poll

What are YOUR favorite way(s) to plan an essay? Choose all that apply.

• Bulleted list

• An outline

• Graphic organizer

• T-chart

• I don't plan

Open Ended

Assignment

Is using technology in a classroom being resourceful or cheating?

Write an introduction paragraph. Include a hook/opening, rephrase the prompt/topic sentence, and include your thesis statement.

Open Ended

Assignment

Is using technology in a classroom being resourceful or cheating?

Write a conclusion outline. Include a restatement of your thesis, summarize your main points, and give a final thought.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a strong supporting point for the argument that participation trophies are helpful?

• Kids enjoy displaying trophies on shelves at home.

• Trophies reward effort and help students stay motivated.

• Trophies come in many sizes, shapes, and colors.

• Snacks after games are more exciting than awards.

Multiple Choice

Which supporting point best fits an argument against participation trophies?

• Trophies teach students how to work together as a team.

• Awards help students stay active and participate more often.

• Trophies may cause entitlement or reduce motivation to improve.

• Trophies are less expensive than medals or plaques.

Multiple Choice

Which step is MOST helpful for organizing your ideas before you write?

• Draw doodles that relate to your essay’s topic and mood.

• Plan your essay by writing a clear outline of your ideas.

• Copy the full passage from the prompt to get started.

• Write a short summary instead of choosing a position.

Multiple Choice

Read the introduction below. What is missing or unclear?

"Many kids participate in sports today, and it’s important to recognize their efforts. Some teams give out trophies at the end of the season. Participation is great for learning life skills and working with others."

• It should include a clear counterargument and rebuttal.

• It needs more personal opinions and emotional appeal.

• It should explain the scoring criteria for the essay.

• It is missing a thesis statement that clearly states a position.

Multiple Choice

Read the body paragraph below. What is unclear or needs improvement?

"Some people believe participation trophies are not helpful. They say kids should earn trophies by winning or working harder. Trophies make kids feel better about themselves, though, and more likely to try new things."

• The rebuttal is weak and does not clearly respond to the other side’s argument.

• The counterargument is placed in the introduction and should be moved.

• The paragraph talks about opinions but never includes facts or statistics.

• The writer repeats the same idea without using any transitions.