Freedom or Security Essay

Freedom or Security Essay

Getting on MyAccess.
1. Click the compass icon in the dock.
2. On our school home page, look in the right column, and click on the second button from the bottom, or type in http://gomyaccess.com/myaccess/do/log.
3. Log in using your user name and password:

Username: firstnameSTUDENT#
Password: 999lastname

4. If your name shows, click on “YES, this information is CORRECT. I would like to CONTINUE.”
5. Above the chart, click on “Assignments.”
6. Go to the assignment topic, “Freedom or Security” and click on “Start.”
7. Begin typing your persuasive essay. Do not type your name or a title.
8. After you have typed, revised, and edited, click on “Submit Writing.”
9. Look over your scores and comments. Come back to the assignment page and click on “Start Revision” for the Freedom or Security” assignment.

Suggestions to score well on MyAccess:
 Write 750 to 800 words or more.
 Use words and phrases from the prompt in your introduction and conclusion.
 Write five or more paragraphs.
 Don’t neglect to revise and edit. You may revise as many times as you wish, but there will be a deadline to improve your grade.
To receive full points, get at least a score of 4 overall on your essay.
We have only today to type this in the computer lab, but you may continue to work on this from home.

 Use the rough draft you prepared in class. 

The Prompt:
Which is more important: freedom or security?
Decide which you feel is more important, freedom or security, create a thesis statement (main idea), and support that statement. Include at least three major reasons why either freedom or security is more important than the other. For each major reason include evidence, examples, quotes, or other supports.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:
 develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
 support your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient details.
address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoints, or counterarguments.
 organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
 edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.

Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.

Write your essay to fit this format.
Name __________________________________________ Period _____ Date
Preparing a persuasive essay: Use what you already know about writing a persuasive essay. Here is a general outline. Add extra paper to this as needed, or write your rough draft on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Introduction – You may use a “hook” (something that will interest the reader). Include a thesis statement (the main idea of your whole essay). For this essay it will be something like “Freedom is more important than security,” or “Security is more important than freedom.” In this paragraph briefly tell your reader what the three reasons are that _________ is more important than ____________ . Just mention them here. You will explain and support each of these reasons in a paragraph.

2. First body paragraph – Give your first reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that.
Use a transition word or phrase such as “First” or “One reason. . .,” or “To begin with. . .” to begin your paragraph.

3. Second body paragraph – Give your second reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that. Begin with a transition word or phrase such as “Second” or “Another reason. . .,” or “In addition. . . . “

4. Third body paragraph – Give your third reason why _____ is more important than _____, and support that.
Begin with a transition word or phrase such as “Finally” or “A third reason. . .,” or “Also. . . ”

5. Write a conclusion that briefly restates your thesis/main idea and briefly summarizes the reasons you’ve given why that is true.

December 2/3, 2008

December 2/3, 2008
Announcements:
Don't forget that your Book-of-the-Month Club project is due next week.
Don't forget to hand in a reading log for this week (including at least two days for last week).
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be this Thursday, December 4.
The PTSA Book Fair is this week. Here is information from the PTSA:
I am excited to let you know about the Buy-One-Get-One-Free Book Fair which is being held next week in the Media Center.

Because we have done so well at past book fairs, we have qualified to have an extra two cases of books sent with our fair. This means that the book fair will be bigger and better, with an even wider selection of books.

The book fair will be December 2-4, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (Ms. Dorsey is assuming that it will also be open during the Parent-Teacher Conferences.


In Class Today:
1. Theme in a poem: "Nothing in Heaven Functions As It Ought" by X.J. Kennedy
and the suffix "ible/able" which turns words into adjectives, and means "capable of."
Also the suffix "-ion," "-tion" which means "act or state – action or process" and is added to the root which means "performance or execution (to do something)." Usually –ion changes a word to a noun, but in this poem it is functioning as a verb.

2. About forms of government. Which is more important -- freedom or safety?
PowerPoint and chart to fill out
We looked at major types of government: anarchy (not really a government, but an option), democracy, republic, communism, socialism, fascism, and monarchy.

3. The Giver -- Themes
Is one of Lois Lowry's themes in The Giver "Freedom is more important than security"?
Or is it "Security is more important than freedom"?

Other Themes in The Giver: Read chapters 5-6.
Communities can run more smoothly when the individual members are willing to give up their own desires.

4. Preview the book fair.