The document provides an overview of the past and present of the Congo Project. It includes learning standards, examples of question types at different levels of thinking, and required elements for an informative essay. It also gives guidance on focusing a topic, writing thesis statements, using evidence, transitions, introductions, conclusions, and MLA citations. The document serves as a reference for writing an informative essay on the Congo Project.

1. The Past & Present of
the Congo Project
Overview

2. Relevant Learning Standards
 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2
Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events,
scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.
 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.7
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question
(including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the
inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.8
Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital
sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations
of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate
information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding
plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format
for citation.

3. Examples of Costas
Questions
Topic LEVEL ONE
(complete, count,
match, name,
define, observe,
recite, describe,
list, identify, recall)
LEVEL TWO
(analyze, Explain,
categorize, explain,
classify, compare,
contrast, infer,
distinguish)
LEVEL THREE
(imagine, plan,
evaluate, judge,
predict, forecast,
invent, speculate,
generalize)
2015
Immigration
Crisis in
Europe
-Identify the number
of Immigrants
entering Europe in
2015.
-Describe struggles
that Immigrants face
crossing the
Mediterranean Sea.
-Compare and
contract the
experiences of
immigrants in
Europe and the
United States
-Explain why
immigrants are
coming into Europe
in such great
numbers.
-Evaluate the United
State’s response to
the immigration
crisis in Europe.
-Speculate what
Europe will look
like in 10 years.

4. Required Elements of the
Informative Essay
 Introduction: Hook the reader and present
your main claim.
 Body Part I: Historical Background needed to
explain the situation.
 Body Part II: Summary of the situation in the
DR of Congo today.
 Conclusion: Outlook for the future/ways
people are trying to solve this problem.

5. Focus
 Focus: What you attempting to explain about your topic.
What do you want the reader to learn from your essay?
This should be narrowed down from your topic.
 Topic: 2015 Immigration Crisis in Europe
 Subtopic: Changes in Europe following the mass migration
 Focus: Cultural and Social changes that will occur within
Europe.

6. Focus:
Writing Thesis Statements
 Thesis (main idea in the explanation of a topic) is focused,
clearly stated, and strongly maintained through the use of
effective topic sentences that expand the explanation of
the topic logically.
 Thesis should include an identification of your focus and
what you will be saying about it.
 Example Thesis: The mass migration into Europe in 2015
has already begun to, and will continue to, reshape the social
and cultural landscape for all the communities involved in a
dramatic fashion.

7. Use of Evidence
 How do you use evidence to support your argument?
 The response provides throughout and convincing
support/evidence for the writer’s main idea, or explanation
of the topic. It includes effective use of sources, facts, and
details. The response achieves substantial depth that is
specific and relevant.
 Evidence selected from sources is smoothly integrated,
relevant, and concrete (specific)
 Plenty of MLA parenthetical citations are used to cite
evidence (and most are formatted properly)

8. Types of Evidence
 Statistical Evidence
 Testimonial Evidence
 Eye Witnesses
 Experts
 Anecdotal Evidence
 Analogical Evidence
 Note: See Using Evidence Handout for explanations and
examples of each type of evidence.

9. Writing Transitions
 Transitions help your writing smoothly move from one
idea to another.
 Strong transitions allow you to build on the evidence and
ideas you have already presented.
 There are many strategies use transitions. For examples
and practice, see below…
 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/01/

10. Purpose of
Introductions & Conclusions
 Introductions
 Engage your reader and build interest in your topic.
 Provide key background information
 Clearly communicate your message outright.
 Conclusions
 Provide a sense of resolution to your reader
 Provide an option for change
 Help your argument stick in the minds of your reader

11. Introductions
1. Hook
 An interesting sentence that makes your reader
interested or care about your topic.
2. Transition
 Sentences that provide additional background
about your topic and links to your thesis
3. Thesis/Claim
 The sentence which communicates your claim
and supporting arguments

12. Hook Methods
 Short Story
 Hesham Modamani has seen his home town torn apart by war, his
family and friends killed, his educational dreams disappear, and yet he
still found the strength to survive his epic journey across the sea.
 Specific Detail/Specific Statistic
 The wave of immigration from Syria and Iraq into Europe,
already estimated at above 350,000 in 2015 alone, has led to a
developing humanitarian crisis for which no simple solution
exists.
 Quotation
 “We are rich. We are in peace. We have the duty to save and protect
people that are fleeing from war.”

13. Sample Introduction
The wave of immigration from Syria and Iraq into Europe, already
estimated at above 350,000 in 2015 alone, has led to a developing
humanitarian crisis for which no simple solution exists. Fleeing from
war torn nations with nothing more than what they can carry on their
backs, refugees have received mixed receptions from the governments
and citizens of European nations. Likewise, those European nations
are experiencing an unparalleled pressure to accept and support
refugees who have been arriving at their doorsteps for months. These
groups now find themselves in a unique predicament that will test the
human spirit’s ability to change and adapt to the new realities of
modern Europe. While neither the refugees or European nations
know what will come of this newest chapter in world history, it is
clear this crisis will reshape the social and cultural landscape for all
those involved in a dramatic fashion in the coming years.

14. Conclusion
 Restate your Position in a new Way
 Close with a Recommendation to help solve your issue.
The social and cultural changes that will be required by both the
refugees and European communities may not be easy, but in order
for their nations to achieve balance and stability, they must accept
them as a part of their new realities. Already in Europe we are
seeing groups creating authentic programs designed to not only
welcome the refugees but to assist them adjust to their new lives. In
particular, organizations such as “Refugees Welcome” connects
European hosts with spare rooms in their homes with incoming
refugees. It is this type of compassion and support that will assist
the refugees in their journey while building bonds that will
fundamentally reshape the landscape of Europe and the world
today.

15. MLA Citations
 During this course you will be using MLA citation to
document and cite your sources.
 Bibliography
 In-Text Citations

16. Keys to Citing Online
Sources
Need to know…
 Author’s Last Name
 Paragraph Number
 Website if no author.
Format
“BLAH BLAH BLAH” (Name Paragraph #).
“BLAH BLAH BLAH” (Website).

17. In-Text Examples
 In the years since legalization of Marijuana, Colorado has
seen, “…increased use among teens, resulting in
educational problems in middle schools and high schools, a
spike in “edibles”-related emergency room visits,
consumption by children and pets resulting in illness and
death and regulatory confusion surrounding public
consumption and enforcement” (Haun 15).
 While no one can predict the future impacts of the mass migration into the EU,
studies of the past can shed light on the matter at hand. A study conducted in
Denmark during the 1990’s showed that an influx of refugees actually pushed
native workers into more skilled jobs and increased their standards of living (NY
Times 3).
 An EU leader, Federica Mogherini, has gone as far as to say, “We are
rich. We are in peace. We have the duty to save and protect people
that are fleeing from war” (qtd. In Pearson 42).

18. Bibliographic Citations
 Author
 Title of Article
 Website
 Publisher (if known…n.p. if not)
 Date Published
 Source
 Date Accessed
Example:
Haun, Marjorie. “The Unexpected Side Effects of
Legalizing Weed.” Newsweek. IBT Media,
6 June 2015. Web. 9/30/2015.

19. Bibliography Rules
 Put Articles in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
 If no author, use organization (NY Times)
 Use the correct format and indentation for all sources.
 Check online tools! Easybib.com makes mistakes!
 If you are unsure how to cite an article, ask for help!

20. Reminders
 All Concrete Details/Evidence must be
accompanied by a citation, even if it is not a
quotation.
 If you have a question, check with your
teacher.