AICE: GP/9 2013-2014 Writing the AICE: General

REVIEW: Identifying the Prompt and its Limits First, identify what style of prompt it is.
Then, interpret the wording of the prompt by looking for words that are either broad and will need to be narrowed for the purposes of your essay, and/or if there are words that limit your essay reach already. A. Technology is more a curse than a blessing in the workplace. Do you agree? B. In what ways can advertising be useful and entertaining? C. How far do the media have the
right to probe into a person’s
private life?<br>

Defining the Parameters of an Essay vv Technology
Curse
Blessing
Workplace
Advertising
Useful
Entertaining
Media
Person
Private Life A. Technology is more a curse than a blessing in the workplace. Do you agree? (PERSUASIVE) B. In what ways can advertising be useful and entertaining? (EXPOSITORY) C. How far do the media have the
right to probe into a person’s
private life? (DISCURSIVE)<br>

REVIEW: Generating Ideas for Your Brainstorm The best way to brainstorm?
Think GP RELEVANCE…!!!


State, national, international
Past history, current events
Consider all academic categories


Use the Hand Approach to help you…<br>

THUMB:
SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY INDEX:
GOVERNMENT and POLITICS MIDDLE:
ENVIRONMENT RING:
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS PINKY:
MEDIA, SPORTS and ENTERTAINMENT “History repeats itself.” Discuss.<br>

The thumb represents “do-it-yourself” methods or techniques through mechanisms, gadgets or tools which technology has provided for or made possible.<br>

Use your pointer finger. You are the body politic! Think about political issues that emanate from a source of power, control and authority<br>

Your middle finger is surrounded by two other fingers as the ENVIORNMENT is surrounded by countless other elements. The environment is in the midst of it all! In The Midst of it All!<br>

The Ring Finger: Love and Marriage The domain of love, marriage, family, and social networks: Relationships are associated with the ring finger<br>

The fifth !!<br>

PROMPT (-) (+) A A B B TOPIC
 primary example
* details
 secondary example
* details TOPIC
 primary example
* details
 secondary example
* details TOPIC
 primary example
* details
 secondary example
* details TOPIC
 primary example
* details
 secondary example
* details<br>

REVIEW: Discursive Brainstorm You will have a maximum of 10 minutes to complete this preliminary brainstorm.
Using the discursive brainstorm style we learned, choose ONE of the following two prompts below and create a brainstorm for it. 1. Do politicians have any influence?

2. How far is it possible for societies to provide equal opportunities for all their citizens??<br>

The INTRODUCTION The Discursive Essay:<br>

Purpose of the Introduction Introductions are similar to a first impression…it is important to impress the reader right away so that he/she sticks around to read the entire essay.

It’s also important that the reader knows exactly what to expect in the upcoming essay.

Thus, your Intro must provide INTEREST and DIRECTION…to accomplish this, however, it must contain CONCRETE ideas.<br>

Understanding
the Intro…
Samples and
activities packet The best way to learn is through observing skill in action…let’s take a look at some samples!<br>

The Introduction: General Rules Maintain the “GP,” objective approach…
Avoid personal input/experiences
No “I think’s” or “I feel’s” (or “in my opinions”…etc etc)
Avoid direct address of the essay task (i.e. “in my essay, I’m going to talk about…)—it sounds robotic!
(SEE SAMPLES A and B)
Lead the reader in the right direction…
Provide appropriate expository, persuasive, or discursive “spin” in the opening paragraph
Set limits in your essay…you can’t tackle the world in 600-800 words, so what WILL you cover?
Organize your ideas in the intro to reflect the order in which they’ll appear in the body
(SEE SAMPLES C, D and E)<br>

The Introduction: General Rules Ideas in the intro MUST be CONCRETE…
Avoid vague language; don’t “beat around the bush”
Avoid abstract ideas; be direct in what you intend to discuss
Avoid stating the obvious (the “duh” factor); this wastes valuable time and space!
Avoid wishy-washy language
Avoid rhetorical questions; get down to the answers!
Provide concrete images that create a brief, clear picture of the topic, so the reader can begin to digest your intentions right away…otherwise, they won’t believe what you’re asserting and won’t likely read on! (SEE ACTIVITY F)<br>

Connect with your Reader…DIAL A-T-T!! Formula for an
Impeccable Introduction…

A - ATTENTION-GETTER

T - TRANSITION TO TOPIC

T - THESIS STATEMENT<br>

Sample GP Discursive Introduction: Find A-T-T According to Greek philosopher and historian Plato, “only the dead have seen the end of war.” While conflict will continue to boldly present itself for years to come, the justification for unleashing such harm upon one’s enemy is not as easy to see. Whereas wars that are fought to defend and protect the quality of life and human rights can be justified, wars fought on the premise of personal gain, at the expense of others, are clearly unjust. Under certain circumstances, then, war—in this case a physical conflict between opposing groups—can be justified in the name of honor but is not the most viable option in the name of greed. “Some people believe that all wars are unjust; others believe that war is justifiable under certain circumstances.” Discuss your view.<br>

A-T-T…Dialed! According to Greek philosopher and historian Plato, “only the dead have seen the end of war.” While conflict will continue to boldly present itself for years to come, the justification for unleashing such harm upon one’s enemy is not as easy to see. Whereas wars that are fought to defend and protect the quality of life and human rights can be justified, wars fought on the premise of personal gain, at the expense of others, are clearly unjust. Under certain circumstances, then, war—in this case a physical conflict between opposing groups—can be justified in the name of honor but is not the most viable option in the name of greed. Attention-getter Thesis Statement Transition to Topic<br>

But remember, since the prompt for this essay is so broad, it could address any number of ideas…

Therefore, the reader must set limits to the discussion or we’ll be here all month! What do you mean by WAR in YOUR essay?
Physical war: Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, WWII
Verbal war: Iran, North Korea (nuclear weapons communication); Tibetan  Monks (religious freedom; peaceable protest)
What do you mean by JUST vs. UNJUST?
Just: for the greater good, utilitarian, democratic, further humanity,  prevent history from repeating itself?
Unjust: is sacrifice of people/resources worth it, impedes upon rights,  hinders progress?
What do you mean by CIRCUMSTANCES?
Financial gain, delicacy of human life, progress of society, preservation of tradition/law/morals<br>

Defining Essay Parameters/ Setting Limits According to Greek philosopher and historian Plato, “only the dead have seen the end of war.” While conflict will continue to boldly present itself for years to come, the justification for unleashing such harm upon one’s enemy is not as easy to see. Whereas wars that are fought to defend and protect the quality of life and human rights can be justified, wars fought on the premise of personal gain, at the expense of others, are clearly unjust. Under certain circumstances, then, war—in this case a physical conflict between opposing groups—can be justified in the name of honor but is not the most viable option in the name of greed. Narrowed Limits of Essay/ Parameters<br>

OPTIONS FOR ATTENTION-GETTING Options:
A Quotation (value/depth in comment itself or speaker)
Shocking Facts/Current Events
Realistic Anecdotes/Plausible Scenarios
Flashbacks to Historical Events/Past-to-Present Progress
Fragments for Effect (creative yet grounded)
Allusion to well-known persons, places, things, ideas
Target the Topic—General to Specific
(SEE SAMPLE SET G)<br>

Attention-Getting Approach: According to Greek philosopher and historian Plato, “only the dead have seen the end of war.” While conflict will continue to boldly present itself for years to come, the justification for unleashing such harm upon one’s enemy is not as easy to see. Whereas wars that are fought to defend and protect the quality of life and human rights can be justified, wars fought on the premise of personal gain, at the expense of others, are clearly unjust. Under certain circumstances, then, war—in this case a physical conflict between opposing groups—can be justified in the name of honor but is not the most viable option in the name of greed. Quote General


TO


Specific<br>

Approaching the DISCURSIVE Intro: Think about it…
Since a discursive essay will discuss BOTH sides of an issue, the introduction must INTRODUCE BOTH SIDES of the issue as well!<br>

Introducing…A-T-T A - ATTENTION-GETTER
Concrete image(s) that grab the reader’s  attention and draw them immediately into  the topic. For a discursive essay, you will likely need  TWO of these, one (+) and one (-). This establishes your  case that there are two ways of looking at the topic.
T - TRANSITION TO TOPIC
Connect the opening image(s) with the topic of the  prompt.
T - THESIS STATEMENT
The main idea of your essay; always indicates that  there are two sides to the issue; may set limits to  the essay by identifying themes for topic  exploration.<br>

The 6-Sentence-ish Approach to A-T-T! 2 Sentences……
to establish an introductory image in favor of the prompt
2 Sentences……
to establish an opening image against the prompt
1 Sentence…….
to establish a connection between (and transition between!) the attention-getting images and the prompt’s topic
1 Sentence……
to indicate the main idea, or thesis statement, of the essay.<br>

(A) Label the introductory images that reflect the two sides of the issue. Then label the Transition to Topic (T), and the Thesis (T). As a result of America’s rapidly increasing obesity rate, Army leaders at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, have agreed to take a different approach to physical-training for new recruits since most applicants are not as healthy as they used to be. Instead of traditional sit-ups and crunches, trainers are pursuing yoga and pilates routines, a decision that will likely have a greater impact on soldier preparation and fitness long-term. Meanwhile, park rangers at various national parks across the nation can’t seem to agree with the actions of modern hikers and adventure seekers; these individuals are abusing cell phone technology while in the wilderness, which negates the purpose of “getting back to nature.” Though arguments can be uncomfortable, they are often a necessary means to an end. Depending on the gravity of the situation then, arguments can be a healthy way to find an effective solution, but such conflict can also lead to further adversity.<br>

Do arguments ever settle anything? As a result of America’s rapidly increasing obesity rate, Army leaders at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, have agreed to take a different approach to physical-training for new recruits since most applicants are not as healthy as they used to be. Instead of traditional sit-ups and crunches, trainers are pursuing yoga and pilates routines, a decision that will likely have a greater impact on soldier preparation and fitness long-term. Meanwhile, park rangers at various national parks across the nation can’t seem to agree with the actions of modern hikers and adventure seekers; these individuals are abusing cell phone technology while in the wilderness, which negates the purpose of “getting back to nature.” Though arguments can be uncomfortable, they are often a necessary means to an end. Depending on the gravity of the situation then, arguments can be a healthy way to find an effective solution, but such conflict can also lead to further adversity. (+) (-) Balanced/ Neutral Thesis Transition to Topic<br>

Is technology a blessing or a curse? In our modern society, especially in developed nations like the United States, technology is gaining momentum because of its accessibility and convenience. Companies like Apple are finding new ways to make our global reach both cost effective and more efficient by creating devices like the “smart” phone. However, while technology may be moving some fields forward, this same innovation pushes culture and tradition backward. Modern innovation has inspired construction booms in places like Mecca, the religious epicenter of the Muslim faith; these renovations overshadow the core values of a sacred region. Therefore, technology can have positive effects when it seeks to enhance communication, but it does just the opposite when attempting to improve traditional culture.<br>

Is technology a blessing or a curse? In our modern society, especially in developed nations like the United States, technology is gaining momentum because of its accessibility and convenience. Companies like Apple are finding new ways to make our global reach both cost effective and more efficient by creating devices like the “smart” phone. However, while technology may be moving some fields forward, this same innovation pushes culture and tradition backward. Modern innovation has inspired construction booms in places like Mecca, the religious epicenter of the Muslim faith; these renovations overshadow the core values of a sacred region. Therefore, technology can have positive effects when it seeks to enhance communication, but it does just the opposite when attempting to improve traditional culture. (+) (-) Balanced/ Neutral Thesis Topic<br>

Should every country have the right to possess weapons of war? TASK: (1) Break down the prompt below, (2) brainstorm it discursively, then (3) write an introductory paragraph for it using the strategies you’ve learned.<br>