Essay Contest Details
Students will choose one of the following topics to write a persuasive essay of at least 5 paragraphs. Students must include some researched evidence to support their claims and cite at least 2 sources in MLA format. Please see the topics below and related links to help with your research. Please feel free to send me other useful links, so I can add them here.
| poohala_essay_contest_flyer.pdf |
Timeline (subject to change):
4/1 - 4/5: Discuss questions/topics, brainstorm ideas, narrow focus
4/8 - 4/12: Refine Thesis Statement; Evaluate credible sources; take notes/gather evidence; Start 1st draft
4/15-4/19: Write 1st draft (20 pts.); Revise/Peer-edit (10 pts.); Write 2nd draft (20 pts.)
4/22-4/26: Revise draft; Review MLA Format & Works Cited Page; Rubric & Checklist; Type final essay; Submit
4/26: Final Essay & Works Cited page due
**Any late essays must be turned in by Tuesday (1 grade lowered) but will not be eligible for the contest. After Tuesday, late essays will not be accepted and will be assigned an F unless a parent/doctor excused note is submitted to request for an extended deadline.
Please see below for further details
4/8 - 4/12: Refine Thesis Statement; Evaluate credible sources; take notes/gather evidence; Start 1st draft
4/15-4/19: Write 1st draft (20 pts.); Revise/Peer-edit (10 pts.); Write 2nd draft (20 pts.)
4/22-4/26: Revise draft; Review MLA Format & Works Cited Page; Rubric & Checklist; Type final essay; Submit
4/26: Final Essay & Works Cited page due
**Any late essays must be turned in by Tuesday (1 grade lowered) but will not be eligible for the contest. After Tuesday, late essays will not be accepted and will be assigned an F unless a parent/doctor excused note is submitted to request for an extended deadline.
Please see below for further details
The Research Process
Step 1: Brainstorm ideas
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Step 2: Pre-Research
MWIS Library Website & other sources
MWIS Library
I recommend the EBSCO database
Other great source:
- call or visit an organization or company and interview an "Expert"
See below for more specific links
I recommend the EBSCO database
Other great source:
- call or visit an organization or company and interview an "Expert"
See below for more specific links
Step 3: Write your Thesis Statement (your Opinion about the topic + 3 Subtopics; this can be revised as you research)
Quest. #1: Good Habits
Question: Good habits improve our physical, emotional, and/or financial health. Select one of your good habits and write an essay persuading readers to make that habit a part of their lives.
- Come up with 3 reasons to support your good habit
- Possible Thesis Statement: People should _(good habit)___ because ________, _________, and _________.
- Come up with 3 reasons to support your good habit
- Possible Thesis Statement: People should _(good habit)___ because ________, _________, and _________.
Quest. #2: Maui Living
Question: Name one thing you would change to make Maui a better place to live. Describe in detail your plans to implement this change.
- Come up with 3 reasons and in one paragraph explain how you would implement the change.
- Possible Thesis Statement: One change I would make is ___________ because it would _______, ________, and _______.
- Come up with 3 reasons and in one paragraph explain how you would implement the change.
- Possible Thesis Statement: One change I would make is ___________ because it would _______, ________, and _______.
Quest. #3: Video Games
Question: Are video games positive or negative for kids in today's society? Explain your answer.
- Come up with 3 reasons to support your answer
- Possible Thesis Statement: Video games are _(positive/negative/both) for kids in today's society__ because ______, ______, and _______.
- Come up with 3 reasons to support your answer
- Possible Thesis Statement: Video games are _(positive/negative/both) for kids in today's society__ because ______, ______, and _______.
Step 4: Start researching credible sources (websites, etc.) and take notes on graphic organizer or in journal
(see also "Other Helpful Websites" page for more links sent in by students)
Quest. #1: Good Habits
Related links:
10 Habits of Healthy Kids
Start Living Healthy
Healthy Habits for Teenagers
Be a Healthy Teen Girl
Tween and Teen Drug Abuse
10 Habits of Healthy Kids
Start Living Healthy
Healthy Habits for Teenagers
Be a Healthy Teen Girl
Tween and Teen Drug Abuse
Quest. #2: Maui Living
Related links:
Environmental Issues: About.com
Clean Energy (high vocabulary)
Solar Energy (brief explanation)
Big Ideas for Better Schools
Environmental Issues: About.com
Clean Energy (high vocabulary)
Solar Energy (brief explanation)
Big Ideas for Better Schools
Quest. #3: Video Games
Related links:
The Positive and Negative Effects of
Video Games
Video Games Boost Brain Power
How Might Video Games be Good for Us? (Great links to research!)
5 Reasons Video Games are Good for You (contains good research but gotta get past the ad)
Top 5 Reasons Video Games Can be Bad for You
Good and Bad Effects of Video Games (to get ideas; not to cite)
The Positive and Negative Effects of
Video Games
Video Games Boost Brain Power
How Might Video Games be Good for Us? (Great links to research!)
5 Reasons Video Games are Good for You (contains good research but gotta get past the ad)
Top 5 Reasons Video Games Can be Bad for You
Good and Bad Effects of Video Games (to get ideas; not to cite)
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Step 5: Complete the Writing Process (see "MLA Format" page for more writing tools)
- Write 1st draft
- Revise/Peer feedback
- Write/type 2nd draft
- Revise/Peer & Self-edit; Review the Rubric
- Type final draft & Works Cited page
- Publish & Submit
- Self-Evaluate using the Rubric
- Revise/Peer feedback
- Write/type 2nd draft
- Revise/Peer & Self-edit; Review the Rubric
- Type final draft & Works Cited page
- Publish & Submit
- Self-Evaluate using the Rubric