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ELA 5: Writing a Paragraph with the TEEAC Outline 115 Views


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Description:

We're getting argumentative today. There's nothing you can do to make us change our minds. Hear that? Nothing. This lesson is about using the TEEAC outline to write argumentative essays.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:04

[Dino and Coop singing]

00:13

TEEAC.

00:15

Sounds intriguing… what could it possibly stand for?

00:18

Tigers educate eager antelopes constantly? [Tiger teaching two antelopes]

00:22

…Aw.

00:22

How nice of those tiger teachers…

00:24

Or maybe…try eating eggs and cantaloupe! [Plate of cantaloupe and bowl of eggs]

00:27

…Though maybe not together…

00:28

Okay, fine, it doesn't stand for either of those.

00:31

So…what's a TEEAC outline all about?

00:34

Well, we use a TEEAC outline to write argumentative papers. [Coop pointing at a blackboard]

00:38

It includes five steps, one for each letter, starting with "T" for "Thesis." [Dino pointing at a blackboard]

00:42

The thesis is really the foundation of your paper. [Jenga block at the bottom of the pile with 'thesis' on it]

00:45

You'll need it to be super sturdy if you want to build a strong argument. [Argument block on top]

00:48

And sure, you could try to write a paper based on a slippery, weak thesis, but don't be surprised

00:53

if the whole thing collapses in a pile of goo. [Paper turns into goo]

00:55

And be warned: gooey papers don't tend to get very good grades. [Fail stamp]

00:59

A good thesis should do three things: tell us the topic of your paper…

01:03

…state your opinion on the topic…

01:04

…and give a few reasons why you hold this opinion.

01:07

If you can pull off all three, your paper is much more likely to stand tall and strong… [A house]

01:11

…rather than collapse the first time a bird lands on it. [Bird lands on the shed and it collapses]

01:14

One you've got your thesis down, the other parts of TEEAC are a breeze.

01:18

After our thesis comes the first "E": "Explain."

01:21

Having a strong thesis is fine and dandy, but to convince other people you're right, [Someone carrying a suitcase that says 'reasons']

01:25

you've gotta explain the reasons you believe in your thesis, like a lawyer arguing in court.

01:29

Luckily you won't need to do this under the watchful gaze of any judges. [Man holding up the briefcase in court]

01:32

Those weird robes and scary gavels can be surprisingly intimidating.

01:36

Next up is "E" number two: "Evidence."

01:38

All those explanations you had didn't just come out of nowhere…or at least, we hope [Man searching in a bin]

01:42

they didn't.

01:43

So now's your chance to show your readers all the facts that brought you to your – obviously [Man carrying heavy box labelled 'evidence']

01:48

correct – opinion.

01:49

After that comes "A": "Argument."

01:51

Even though you might be right about your thesis, there might be people who think differently

01:55

from you.

01:56

Rather than try to hide these people in boxes––because most people don't like being shoved into boxes––in [The man puts a box over the arguing woman's head]

02:00

the A stage we discuss their opposing arguments in our very own paper.

02:04

That might seem like a recipe for disaster for your thesis, but that's why we finish

02:09

with "C": "Counter-argument."

02:11

Just because people might disagree, doesn't mean they're right.

02:14

Now's your chance to counter-argue all those different opinions and show how you were right

02:17

all along.

02:18

We didn't doubt you for a second. [Judge says great job]

02:21

Follow the TEEAC outline, and you'll be convincing readers in no time.

02:25

As for us?

02:26

We're going to go start a charter school where tigers teach antelopes, and every meal is [Antelopes and tiger in a classroom]

02:29

eggs and cantaloupe.

02:31

Sounds like a solid business plan! [Kid looks grossed out]

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