The Past & Present of the Congo Project Overview

Relevant Learning Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.2Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.11-12.7Conduct 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.11-12.8Gather 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.

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.

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.

Focus Focus: What are you attempting to explain

about your topic? What do you want the reader to learn from your essay?

Topic: 2015 Immigration Crisis in Europe Subtopic: Changes in Europe following the

mass migration Focus: Cultural changes that will occur within.

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.

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)

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.

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/

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

Introductions1. 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

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.”

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.

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.

MLA Citations During this course you will be using MLA

citation to document and cite your sources.

Bibliography

In-Text Citations

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).

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).

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.