1. Learning to Write Well The CHS Common Writing Curriculum

2. The Written Argument • The Essay • An argument that is supported by the text or information studied. • The Research paper • A researched argument that is supported by multiple sources • These arguments require an original idea by the author that must be argued in the paper • This differs from a simple report that only presents information without an argument

3. Thesis Statements • Every argument must have a thesis statement • A thesis is a written statement that presents the argument you will be proving in your work • The thesis statement must be located in the opening paragraph, usually the last line. • Thesis statements drive the paper and without one a paper can not be further developed

4. Thesis Statements : Helpful Hints * A thesis should be a succinct statement….not a paragraph • A thesis should be arguable • Columbia High has a wrestling team. (not arguable) • Columbia High has the best wrestling team in the state. (arguable…some one might disagree) • A thesis should be measurable • Thomas Paine developed propaganda that motivated troops,encouraged new volunteers and eventually allowed America to win the Revolutionary War. • The reader will expect to read about the three topics listed in the thesis and should be able to check them off as the thesis is proven.

5. I have a thesis…now what? • Once you have decided what you are going to prove in your argument you must plan your paper. • You will begin this process using a CDW CHART

6. A blank CDW chart looks like this: • Thesis statement ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Claim Data Warrant

7. CDW Chart Completion • Completing this chart requires complete sentences. • It also requires data from your sources • You will have to have good claims to complete the chart correctly and fully

8. What is a Claim? • This is a statement of your topic (what your paragraph is about) AND your specific opinion or observation about it. • It is one sentence (usually) and includes the author and title of the literary work you intend to cite in your DATA (punctuated correctly). • It is as detailed and specific as you can make it!

9. Making Claims • A claim should be a statement that supports your thesis and can be proven • Ex Thesis: Columbia High School has the best wrestling team in the state. • Ex Claim: Columbia’s wrestlers are the most physically talented. • This claim supports the thesis and requires data to prove it.

10. Making Claims • You will make at least 3 claims to support an argument • EX Thesis: CHS has the best wrestling team in the state. • Claim #1- CHS wrestlers are the most physically gifted. • Claim #2- CHS wrestlers are coached well. • Claim #3- CHS wrestlers are successful in every tournament situation.

11. Now it is time to find your Data • What is Data? • Facts, statistics or researched findings • Quotes from authoritative sources • Evidence from your text or notes

12. Use Data to Support Claims • Data comes from the information you are basing your argument from • The text you studied or notes from class • Researched sources • Your instructor will determine where your data comes from when the paper is assigned. • EX: Your Romeo and Juliet essay will be written using the play as your source material

13. Data Example • Ex Thesis: Columbia High School has the best wrestling team in the state. • Ex Claim: Columbia’s wrestlers are the most physically talented. • Ex Data: Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the top three of their weight classes going into the 2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News).

14. Good Information…but your argument needs to explain what you think… It is time to WARRANT your ideas

15. What does Warrant mean? • To warrant something means to prove or explain the credibility or truth of something • When you warrant your data…..you are explaining why the data proves your claim and ultimately your thesis statement

16. An easy way to think about warranting your data….is to answer the question SO WHAT?

17. Warrant example • Ex Thesis: Columbia High School has the best wrestling team in the state. • Ex Claim: Columbia’s wrestlers are the most physically talented. • Ex Data: Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the top three of their weight classes going into the 2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News). • EX Warrant: These ranked wrestlers prove that outside wrestling information bodies believe that Columbia wrestlers are the best at what they do. These boys will be the ones to beat at every tournament because they are the most talented.

18. After you have completed warranting your data…it is time to repeat the process

19. A Completed CDW chart would look like this: Thesis __Columbia High has the best wrestling team in the state of Idaho.

20. Once you are finished with the chart…… You can begin to write your paper

21. A body paragraph template would look like this: • Topic Sentence/Claim______________________________________________________________________________________________ • Data_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Warrant____________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Warrant____________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Data_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Warrant____________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Warrant____________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Closing Warrant/Transition • __________________________________________________________________

22. Your claim, data, warrant becomes your body paragraphs Columbia’s wrestlers are the most physically talented.Columbia had 7 wrestlers ranked in the top three of their weight classes going into the 2010 state tournament (Idaho Wrestling News). These ranked wrestlers prove that outside wrestling information bodies believe that Columbia wrestlers are the best at what they do. These boys will be the ones to beat at every tournament because they are the most talented.A wrestling fan from Blackfoot states that “Columbia’s level of talent makes it apparent that they have a dynasty in the making” (Gator).The talent level at Columbia is apparent to opposing teams and rivals. These teams know that it will be hard to break Columbia’s hold on state dominance due to our talent level. Talent is no question important to a good a program but great coaching also plays an important role. .

23. Why is writing this way helpful? • It keeps your argument structured. • It keeps your argument focused. • It keeps your argument supported by data. • It allows for the writer’s ideas to be the central focus.

24. CHS Language Arts teachers want you to be successful in your written endeavors. Learn CDW and you should be on your way to great work!