Document-Based Essays are valuable in a myriad of ways through engagement in reading and writing using non-fiction text. Each week students are presented with a news article from NewsELA and other sources that is likely to pique their interest. Aside from being relevant to current events, these articles are selected at a high lexile level to challenge the honors readers. Their homework is to write an explanatory (semester 1) or argumentative (semester 2) essay concerning the article they've read. Students are expected to include a clear thesis, textual evidence, and citations of their sources. As the school year progresses the rigor of the assignment will begin to become more steep, preparing students for the expectations beyond this classroom and school year. Students are highlighting the thesis, textual evidence, and citations for the purposes of becoming increasingly more cognizant of their writing and the importance of these items.
The following are the requirements:
Typed and printed responses receive extra credit while those which are illegible get a deduction of a letter-grade.
If you would like to access these same articles on NewsELA, sign up using the instructions here.
Due:
9/7: DBE#1 Picky! Picky!
9/14: DBE#2 Copeland Leaps into History
The following are the requirements:
- Read the provided article
- Write an essay (minimum 3 paragraphs, no maximum)
- Introduction, "body," and conclusion
- Introduction, "body," and conclusion
- Textual evidence from the article(s) in the form of quotes or paraphrasing
- Citations of the source(s) in MLA format
- Highlight the thesis (one color) and each quote/paraphrase and its citation (another color)
- Due the first day of each week (usually Mondays)
Typed and printed responses receive extra credit while those which are illegible get a deduction of a letter-grade.
If you would like to access these same articles on NewsELA, sign up using the instructions here.
Due:
9/7: DBE#1 Picky! Picky!
9/14: DBE#2 Copeland Leaps into History