Writing II Module 8
Tuesday
Saint Patrick’s Day
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Did you know…?
How do parades, public festivals, and Irish cultural organizations shape the way St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the United States?
In the U.S., public events are the main driver of how the holiday looks and feels. Big city parades (often organized with help from Irish-American groups, labor unions, churches, and local governments) turn the day into a highly visible, community-wide celebration. Irish cultural organizations use the holiday to highlight Irish heritage through music, dance, language, and history programming, which helps frame St. Patrick’s Day as both a cultural festival and a community identity event, not only a party.
Why is wearing green and using shamrock or leprechaun imagery such a common tradition in U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and what do these symbols represent?
Wearing green became popular partly because green is associated with Ireland (“the Emerald Isle”) and Irish nationalism, and it is an easy, visible way to show participation. The shamrock is linked to Irish identity and is commonly connected to St. Patrick traditions (often explained as representing teaching about the Trinity in Christian folklore). Leprechauns come from Irish folklore, but in the U.S. they are often used in a simplified, playful way for costumes, decorations, and children’s events. Overall, these symbols work well in American celebrations because they are instantly recognizable and easy to use in public and commercial settings.
How have U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations changed over time, especially in terms of commercialization, tourism, and alcohol-focused events?
Over time, many U.S. celebrations shifted from immigrant-community gatherings and religious observances to large public festivals that attract broad audiences. Cities market parades and related events to bring in tourists, and businesses promote themed products, decorations, and special menus. Alcohol-focused traditions (like pub crawls) became especially prominent because bars and brands use the holiday for major promotions. At the same time, there has also been a counter-movement in some places to emphasize cultural and family-friendly programming, such as Irish music performances, step dancing, and heritage education, to balance the party image with cultural roots.
Instruction
-
Use a transition at the start of each body paragraph to show the relationship to the previous idea (addition, contrast, cause/effect, example).
-
Use “this shows…” / “this matters because…” sentences after evidence to explain your reasoning.
-
Use linking sentences to connect to the main idea of the next body paragraph or summarizing sentences to connect back to the thesis statement.
💡
When writing an expository essay, consider clear signposts so you know where you are in the argument.
Refer to Writing error code list for any codes you find related to your writing.
-
When listing your three key points at the end of your thesis statement, make sure to maintain Parallelism.
-
Review Types of transitions and beginning your thesis statement with a transition. See also, Thesis statement.
-
Review what makes a good topic sentence in Sentences that pack a punch: The difference between a topic sentence and thesis statement.
-
When developing your topic sentences, state your first evidence sentence immediately after your topic sentence. That is, the second sentence of your body paragraph should be an evidence sentence with a citation (i.e., example, fact, statistics, or detail related to the topic sentence).How to Paraphrase Direct Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide
-
Thesis statement examples
💡 Notice the different ways transitions are used to begin each thesis statement. See Types of transitions.
-
To help many first-year university students manage their study time more effectively, college instructors should teach explicit time-management routines because they help students plan weekly priorities, they reduce last-minute cramming, and they improve follow-through on long-term assignments.
-
In response to widespread sleep deprivation among adolescents on school nights, school administrators should start the school day later because it increases students’ alertness in morning classes, it improves mood and self-regulation, and it supports better academic performance.
-
Therefore, project managers should require a written meeting summary after every meeting because it clarifies next steps for each person, it prevents repeated conversations, and it improves accountability for deadlines.
-
Although many middle-school learners feel anxious about speaking in a second language, language teachers should incorporate structured pair work in every lesson because it increases low-stakes speaking practice, it builds confidence through repeated rehearsal, and it promotes negotiation of meaning with peers.
-
Since many households waste food without realizing it, city governments should fund community composting programs because they reduce landfill waste, they create usable soil for local gardens, and they raise public awareness about sustainable consumption.
-
-
To dos…
-
Remove any extraneous information.
-
Questions and answers.
-
List of five “because” statements
-
-
All references should be in English.
-
Include at least three references.
-
Include a Thesis statement with a transition, topic, main claim, conjunction or preposition, and three key points.
-
Topic sentences - Sentences that pack a punch: The difference between a topic sentence and thesis statement
-
Begin with the main clause.
-
Avoid personal pronouns in the subject of the main clause.
-
Avoid linking verbs in the main clause.
-
Stay in the active voice. Active vs. passive voice: A Writer’s guide to clarity and impact
-
-
Action Steps
💡
Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.
-
Complete and (re)submit to Teams Writing II: Thesis Statement and Skeleton Outline Task if you have not already done so.
-
Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 1 Task.
-
Begin Writing II: Body Paragraph 2 Task.
-
Request feedback as needed (in class and outside of class).
Wednesday
Saint Patrick’s Day
-
Did you know…?
How do parades, public festivals, and Irish cultural organizations shape the way St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the United States?
In the U.S., public events are the main driver of how the holiday looks and feels. Big city parades (often organized with help from Irish-American groups, labor unions, churches, and local governments) turn the day into a highly visible, community-wide celebration. Irish cultural organizations use the holiday to highlight Irish heritage through music, dance, language, and history programming, which helps frame St. Patrick’s Day as both a cultural festival and a community identity event, not only a party.
Why is wearing green and using shamrock or leprechaun imagery such a common tradition in U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and what do these symbols represent?
Wearing green became popular partly because green is associated with Ireland (“the Emerald Isle”) and Irish nationalism, and it is an easy, visible way to show participation. The shamrock is linked to Irish identity and is commonly connected to St. Patrick traditions (often explained as representing teaching about the Trinity in Christian folklore). Leprechauns come from Irish folklore, but in the U.S. they are often used in a simplified, playful way for costumes, decorations, and children’s events. Overall, these symbols work well in American celebrations because they are instantly recognizable and easy to use in public and commercial settings.
How have U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations changed over time, especially in terms of commercialization, tourism, and alcohol-focused events?
Over time, many U.S. celebrations shifted from immigrant-community gatherings and religious observances to large public festivals that attract broad audiences. Cities market parades and related events to bring in tourists, and businesses promote themed products, decorations, and special menus. Alcohol-focused traditions (like pub crawls) became especially prominent because bars and brands use the holiday for major promotions. At the same time, there has also been a counter-movement in some places to emphasize cultural and family-friendly programming, such as Irish music performances, step dancing, and heritage education, to balance the party image with cultural roots.
Instruction
-
Use a transition at the start of each body paragraph to show the relationship to the previous idea (addition, contrast, cause/effect, example).
-
Use “this shows…” / “this matters because…” sentences after evidence to explain your reasoning.
-
Use linking sentences to connect to the main idea of the next body paragraph or summarizing sentences to connect back to the thesis statement.
💡
When writing an expository essay, consider clear signposts so you know where you are in the argument.
Refer to Writing error code list for any codes you find related to your writing.
-
When listing your three key points at the end of your thesis statement, make sure to maintain Parallelism.
-
Review Types of transitions and beginning your thesis statement with a transition. See also, Thesis statement.
-
Review what makes a good topic sentence in Sentences that pack a punch: The difference between a topic sentence and thesis statement.
-
When developing your topic sentences, state your first evidence sentence immediately after your topic sentence. That is, the second sentence of your body paragraph should be an evidence sentence with a citation (i.e., example, fact, statistics, or detail related to the topic sentence).How to Paraphrase Direct Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide
-
Thesis statement examples
💡 Notice the different ways transitions are used to begin each thesis statement. See Types of transitions.
-
To help many first-year university students manage their study time more effectively, college instructors should teach explicit time-management routines because they help students plan weekly priorities, they reduce last-minute cramming, and they improve follow-through on long-term assignments.
-
In response to widespread sleep deprivation among adolescents on school nights, school administrators should start the school day later because it increases students’ alertness in morning classes, it improves mood and self-regulation, and it supports better academic performance.
-
Therefore, project managers should require a written meeting summary after every meeting because it clarifies next steps for each person, it prevents repeated conversations, and it improves accountability for deadlines.
-
Although many middle-school learners feel anxious about speaking in a second language, language teachers should incorporate structured pair work in every lesson because it increases low-stakes speaking practice, it builds confidence through repeated rehearsal, and it promotes negotiation of meaning with peers.
-
Since many households waste food without realizing it, city governments should fund community composting programs because they reduce landfill waste, they create usable soil for local gardens, and they raise public awareness about sustainable consumption.
-
-
To dos…
-
Remove any extraneous information.
-
Questions and answers.
-
List of five “because” statements
-
-
All references should be in English.
-
Include at least three references.
-
Include a Thesis statement with a transition, topic, main claim, conjunction or preposition, and three key points.
-
Topic sentences - Sentences that pack a punch: The difference between a topic sentence and thesis statement
-
Begin with the main clause.
-
Avoid personal pronouns in the subject of the main clause.
-
Avoid linking verbs in the main clause.
-
Stay in the active voice. Active vs. passive voice: A Writer’s guide to clarity and impact
-
-
Action Steps
💡
Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.
-
Complete and (re)submit to Teams Writing II: Thesis Statement and Skeleton Outline Task if you have not already done so.
-
Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 1 Task.
-
Begin Writing II: Body Paragraph 2 Task.
-
Request feedback as needed (in class and outside of class).
Thursday
Saint Patrick’s Day
-
Did you know…?
How do parades, public festivals, and Irish cultural organizations shape the way St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the United States?
In the U.S., public events are the main driver of how the holiday looks and feels. Big city parades (often organized with help from Irish-American groups, labor unions, churches, and local governments) turn the day into a highly visible, community-wide celebration. Irish cultural organizations use the holiday to highlight Irish heritage through music, dance, language, and history programming, which helps frame St. Patrick’s Day as both a cultural festival and a community identity event, not only a party.
Why is wearing green and using shamrock or leprechaun imagery such a common tradition in U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and what do these symbols represent?
Wearing green became popular partly because green is associated with Ireland (“the Emerald Isle”) and Irish nationalism, and it is an easy, visible way to show participation. The shamrock is linked to Irish identity and is commonly connected to St. Patrick traditions (often explained as representing teaching about the Trinity in Christian folklore). Leprechauns come from Irish folklore, but in the U.S. they are often used in a simplified, playful way for costumes, decorations, and children’s events. Overall, these symbols work well in American celebrations because they are instantly recognizable and easy to use in public and commercial settings.
How have U.S. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations changed over time, especially in terms of commercialization, tourism, and alcohol-focused events?
Over time, many U.S. celebrations shifted from immigrant-community gatherings and religious observances to large public festivals that attract broad audiences. Cities market parades and related events to bring in tourists, and businesses promote themed products, decorations, and special menus. Alcohol-focused traditions (like pub crawls) became especially prominent because bars and brands use the holiday for major promotions. At the same time, there has also been a counter-movement in some places to emphasize cultural and family-friendly programming, such as Irish music performances, step dancing, and heritage education, to balance the party image with cultural roots.
Instruction
-
Use a transition at the start of each body paragraph to show the relationship to the previous idea (addition, contrast, cause/effect, example).
-
Use “this shows…” / “this matters because…” sentences after evidence to explain your reasoning.
-
Use linking sentences to connect to the main idea of the next body paragraph or summarizing sentences to connect back to the thesis statement.
💡
When writing an expository essay, consider clear signposts so you know where you are in the argument.
Refer to Writing error code list for any codes you find related to your writing.
-
When listing your three key points at the end of your thesis statement, make sure to maintain Parallelism.
-
Review Types of transitions and beginning your thesis statement with a transition. See also, Thesis statement.
-
Review what makes a good topic sentence in Sentences that pack a punch: The difference between a topic sentence and thesis statement.
-
When developing your topic sentences, state your first evidence sentence immediately after your topic sentence. That is, the second sentence of your body paragraph should be an evidence sentence with a citation (i.e., example, fact, statistics, or detail related to the topic sentence).How to Paraphrase Direct Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide
-
Thesis statement examples
💡 Notice the different ways transitions are used to begin each thesis statement. See Types of transitions.
-
To help many first-year university students manage their study time more effectively, college instructors should teach explicit time-management routines because they help students plan weekly priorities, they reduce last-minute cramming, and they improve follow-through on long-term assignments.
-
In response to widespread sleep deprivation among adolescents on school nights, school administrators should start the school day later because it increases students’ alertness in morning classes, it improves mood and self-regulation, and it supports better academic performance.
-
Therefore, project managers should require a written meeting summary after every meeting because it clarifies next steps for each person, it prevents repeated conversations, and it improves accountability for deadlines.
-
Although many middle-school learners feel anxious about speaking in a second language, language teachers should incorporate structured pair work in every lesson because it increases low-stakes speaking practice, it builds confidence through repeated rehearsal, and it promotes negotiation of meaning with peers.
-
Since many households waste food without realizing it, city governments should fund community composting programs because they reduce landfill waste, they create usable soil for local gardens, and they raise public awareness about sustainable consumption.
-
-
To dos…
-
Remove any extraneous information.
-
Questions and answers.
-
List of five “because” statements
-
-
All references should be in English.
-
Include at least three references.
-
Include a Thesis statement with a transition, topic, main claim, conjunction or preposition, and three key points.
-
Topic sentences - Sentences that pack a punch: The difference between a topic sentence and thesis statement
-
Begin with the main clause.
-
Avoid personal pronouns in the subject of the main clause.
-
Avoid linking verbs in the main clause.
-
Stay in the active voice. Active vs. passive voice: A Writer’s guide to clarity and impact
-
-
Action Steps
💡
Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.
-
Complete and (re)submit to Teams Writing II: Thesis Statement and Skeleton Outline Task if you have not already done so.
-
Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 1 Task.
-
Begin Writing II: Body Paragraph 2 Task.
-
Request feedback as needed (in class and outside of class).
Friday
Instruction
-
Start with a topic sentence that links back to the thesis.
-
Add evidence (parenthetical citation, paraphrased, and avoid mentioning the source) with a signal phrase and citation.
-
Explain with “This means…” / “This matters because…” so the reader understands your reasoning.
-
End with a linking sentence that sets up the next idea.
-
Make sure each body paragraph has 5-8 sentences, between 125-175 words.
💡
When writing an expository essay, aim for one clear claim (A Claim) per paragraph and build it with a consistent pattern.
Refer to Writing error code list for any codes you find related to your writing.
-
Review your grades in Teams.
-
After March 20, 2026, grades for the Teams assignments 1) Expository Essay Progress Report 1 and 2) Writing II: Thesis Statement and Skeleton Outline Task are final.
-
Review Parenthetical Vs. Narrative Citations.
-
Review How to Paraphrase Direct Quotes: A Comprehensive Guide.
-
Example of paraphrasing
Direct quote (from a freely available public article)
“Teachers are already integrating AI into the classroom in fun, engaging, and academically rich ways—by having students fact-check ChatGPT’s responses, for instance…” (Edutopia, n.d.).
Three paraphrases (same idea), each with a parenthetical citation
-
Many classrooms are already using AI in enjoyable and meaningful ways,
includingwhich include having students verify the accuracy of AI-generated answers (Edutopia, 2026). -
AI is being used in lessons in ways that are both motivating and academically useful, such as activities where students check whether an AI tool is correct (Edutopia, 2026).
-
Some teachers bring AI into class through engaging tasks that support learning; for example, they ask students to evaluate and fact-check AI responses (Edutopia, 2026).
Reference
Nichols, H. (2026). 9 tips for using AI for learning (and fun!) Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-ai-for-learning-fun/
-
Action Steps
💡
Your goal is to complete your first draft (expository five-paragraph essay) by March 31, 2026.
-
Complete Writing II: Body Paragraph 2 Task.
-
Begin Writing II: Body Paragraph 3 Task
-
Request feedback as needed (in class and outside of class).