This document provides an agenda and guidelines for an in-class essay assignment. Students will write a 500-word essay arguing for the supplies they have chosen to take with them into the wild. The essay should have an introduction with a clear thesis, multiple body paragraphs supporting their chosen supplies, and a conclusion discussing the outcome of their adventure or ongoing challenges. Suggestions are provided for developing the essay, including using first-person perspective and specific examples to support arguments. Homework includes reading two chapters and posting four sample sentences demonstrating different styles.

1. Ewrt 1A
Class 2

2. Agenda
Review
In-class essay #1

3. The Essay Question
 Write an essay arguing for the supplies you have chosen to
take with you into the wild. Present the issue to readers, and
develop an argument for the purpose of confirming,
challenging, or changing your readers’ views on which supplies
are the most important for survival.
 Your final essay should be around 500 words. This will be
around four pages, hand written. This, of course, is an
estimate. Handwriting varies greatly. Between three and six
pages will likely be the norm for this essay.
 Good Luck! May the odds be ever in your favor

4. Introduction and Thesis
 Focus your presentation of the issue: Your
introduction should explain to the reader both
the situation you face and why you have limited
resources.
 Thesis: Compose a thesis that makes your
position unambiguous, appropriately qualified,
and clearly arguable. (Your thesis will likely be
near the end of your introduction).

5. Body Paragraphs
 Paragraph one: topic sentence supporting your first
item.
 Give reasons for your choice and support them with
examples, scenarios, or anecdotes.
 Paragraph two: topic sentence supporting your second
item.
 Give reasons for your choice and support them with
examples, scenarios, or anecdotes.
 Additional Paragraphs: Repeat using the same or similar
strategies

6. Counterargument:
 Write a counterargument that addresses why you wouldn’t
take the items the other people in your group think are very
important. You should address specific tools others in your
group chose to take. You may do this in each body
paragraph as you argue for your choice, or you may do it as
a separate paragraph after you finish arguing for your tools.
 For example, you might start by writing, “while some people
might prefer a sleeping bag, I found it to be a poor choice
compared to the blanket.” Then you can explain why.

7. Conclusion:
 If your adventure is over, describe how it ended and
how you have recovered, suffered, or benefitted from it.
OR
 If the adventure is ongoing, consider predicting your
future in the wild.
 What are you chances of success?
 What do you see as your biggest challenge?
 How might you fail?

8. Suggestions for writing
 Do not copy complete sentences from your
outline. Your thesis is the exception.
 Write in first person (I, we). This is your
experience. Avoid using “you.”
 Stay in the proper tense.
 Avoid using vague words like “things” and
“stuff.” “Anything,” “everything,” and
“something” are in the same category.

9. HOMEWORK
 Read: HG through chapter 2.
 View: The slideshow “Four Sentence Types.” It
is posted under “Grammar” on the website.
 Post #2: Four sentences—Two of each of the
four types discussed in the slide presentation.

10. HOMEWORK
 Read: HG through chapter 2.
 View: The slideshow “Four Sentence Types.” It
is posted under “Grammar” on the website.
 Post #2: Four sentences—Two of each of the
four types discussed in the slide presentation.