Malcolm X In Class Exercise: Thesis and Topic Sentences

Lab Goal

After watching video clips of Malcolm X speeches, the goal of this lab is to have students write and create two paragraphs that revise their earlier diagnostic: an introduction/thesis statement and a supporting paragraph.

Activity Description

First, watch the clips here and take notes on

- their main ideas
- their best statements
- anything else you find important

VIDEO

VIDEO

Next, students will write paragraphs that will be a modified revision of the first-week diagnostic. Students will review their diagnostic and pay special attention to their introduction paragraphs and their second paragraphs. They should note the professor's comments and be aware of three things:

- the introduction's inclusion of the main ideas
- the introduction's inclusion of a thesis statement (applying what students now know)
- the introduction's inclusion of textual introduction (s)
- students don't have to worry about an opening story for this lab

The second paragraph should contain

- a topic sentence that both refers to the thesis statement and refers to the main idea of the paragraph
- a "They Say/He says" section (He=Malcolm)
- a direct quote
- an explanation of the meaning of the direct quote (should be twice the length of the direct quote

Looking Ahead

Students will be able to use these ideas as

- potential connections for critical thinking in their first assignment
- potential material for conclusions in their first assignment
- potential material for future essays in this class