Professor D.W.

Stoddart

PowerPoint Essay: A Bare-Bones Essay

Due: Weeks 6 & 7 Weight: 15% (15 marks)

Objective:
In practicing both structure and thesis completion and entire essay is not necessary to practice the
process. A ‘mini-essay’ can show a thesis and follow the structural organisation without
requiring the time and depth. Through the use of PowerPoint to help simplify the sections, and
minimize the necessary writing to ‘fill’ sections, students will practice thesis generation and
essay structure.

Instructions:

1) Brainstorm possible essay topics that would fall under being Responsible and
Interesting
2) Do some preliminary research on the topic to ensure that there is evidence that can help
support at least three arguments to support a side of the issue (Defendable). Ensure that
there is evidence that supports BOTH SIDES of the issue (Arguable).
3) Once you have found a Responsible/Interesting topic, and you have an
Arguable/Defendable thesis (claim), ensure that you follow the Limited Topic + Claim
because of A, B & C formula so that your thesis is Clear.
4) Once you have a thesis (claim) you will develop a short PowerPoint with the following
sections and information:
1st Slide: A ‘Cover’ slide that includes the students name and title (an image can
be used if appropriate)
2nd Slide: An ‘Introduction’ slide that in 3-5 sentences outlines the issue you’re
writing about and ends with your thesis (the single sentence following the Limited
Topic + Claim because of A, B & C formula).
3rd, 4th and 5th Slides: These three slides replace the body paragraphs of your
essay. You will have 3-5 sentences in each giving a simple paragraph that uses a
single source cited for each slide (each source must be different). So you will
have a total of three slides, each with a short paragraph, and each with a single
citation.
6th Slide: A ‘Conclusion’ slide wrapping up your PowerPoint essay.
7th Slide: A ‘References’ slide. There should be ONLY three references, one for
each citation used in the body paragraph slides (3, 4 and 5).

***NOTE: You should be drawing heavily on the resources provided, especially the Essay
Outline Handout and the Making an Effective Claim PowerPoint.
Professor D.W. Stoddart
Evaluation:

Opening:
o 1st Slide: ‘Cover’ slide with a title, name and an image (if needed)
o 2nd Slide: ‘Introduction’ slide to describe the topic/issue /5
 Informs the reader enough so they can understand/follow
your argument/topic
 Includes the FULL thesis (Topic + Claim because of A, B
& C)
Body:
o Slides 3rd - 5th: ‘Body’ slides for each paragraph (covering the A, B
& C arguments to support your claim)
 Each slide covers a different argument (A, B & C) that
supports the claim /5
 Each slide has 3-5 sentences to create a short, but full
paragraph (topic sentence, information, concluding
sentence)
 Includes a single citation for each slide paragraph (research
used to support the argument)

Ending:
o 6th Slide: ‘Conclusion’ slide. Signals the end of your PowerPoint
essay, summarizes the points from the body slides and re-states the /5
thesis as a conclusion.
o 7th Slide: ‘References’ slide. A reference for each source used in
APA format.