The CSET Writing Strategy

The CSET Writing Strategy

Material adapted from Bill Lewis, University of DelawareMaterial adapted from Bill Lewis, University of Delaware

Warm-UpWarm-Up

Create a KWL chart on CSET. In the K write down everything you know (or remember about CSET), in the W write down everything you want to know (or forgot from last year and need to remember), leave L blank!

Create a KWL chart on CSET. In the K write down everything you know (or remember about CSET), in the W write down everything you want to know (or forgot from last year and need to remember), leave L blank!

C.S.Q.TC.S.Q.TClaim – Your answer to the question and restating the question. This is typically your opinion; you must be able to support your opinion. (only one sentence! If longer, you will get a 0%).

Set-up – Introduce the quote to be used.

Evidence/Quote – The textual reference from the reading that supports your claim.

Tie-In – Explain how the Quote proves/supports your Claim. This should be a minimum of two sentences. First explain the quote and then it’s connection to the Claim.

Making a ClaimMaking a Claim

• Your opinion to a question

• Need proof to support your claim

• It is a topic sentence or thesis sentence

• A thesis is what you intend to prove through your essay

Setting Up the QuoteSetting Up the Quote

The set-up simply provides a transition from your claim to your quote. It often IS NOT a complete sentence, but rather a transitional phrase. It also needs to give a little background of the storyWhen Bob was on the playground and fell, the

article states,

When her father was taken, the novel says,

The set-up simply provides a transition from your claim to your quote. It often IS NOT a complete sentence, but rather a transitional phrase. It also needs to give a little background of the storyWhen Bob was on the playground and fell, the

article states,

When her father was taken, the novel says,

Evidence/QuoteEvidence/Quote

The quote does not need to be an

actual quote that someone in the story/article is saying

The quote is something YOU are quoting word for word from the text to support your claim

Be sure to include the quote word for word from the text. Include quotation marks at the beginning and end of the text.

REMEMBER: Your quote MUST support your claim!!! If it doesn’t make sense or doesn’t support your claim, find another quote. If you cannot find a quote, then rewrite your claim!

The quote does not need to be an

actual quote that someone in the story/article is saying

The quote is something YOU are quoting word for word from the text to support your claim

Be sure to include the quote word for word from the text. Include quotation marks at the beginning and end of the text.

REMEMBER: Your quote MUST support your claim!!! If it doesn’t make sense or doesn’t support your claim, find another quote. If you cannot find a quote, then rewrite your claim!

The Tie-InThe Tie-In

The tie-in is the most important part of your answer. It provides your reader with the explanation for your claim

Be sure that the quote you pick actually supports your answer, then explain the quote.

Finally, explicitly explain how the quote fits the claim!

Then conclude your paragraph/essay

The tie-in is the most important part of your answer. It provides your reader with the explanation for your claim

Be sure that the quote you pick actually supports your answer, then explain the quote.

Finally, explicitly explain how the quote fits the claim!

Then conclude your paragraph/essay

PracticePractice

The cold harsh wind it heaves and blows,

It chills my fingers and my toes. And falling from the sky of slate, A dancing whirr of downy flakes. The flakes that dance, and whirr

and fly, They sometimes hit me in the eye. Seeing them again I clap with glee, Ha Ha, Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Hee Hee. Don’t go to that shopping mall! It is the season after fall! And when you get at home in bed, Thoughts of frost they fill your little

mind!-Anne Uhhuhmelmahey 1978

The cold harsh wind it heaves and blows,

It chills my fingers and my toes. And falling from the sky of slate, A dancing whirr of downy flakes. The flakes that dance, and whirr

and fly, They sometimes hit me in the eye. Seeing them again I clap with glee, Ha Ha, Ha Ha, Hee Hee, Hee Hee. Don’t go to that shopping mall! It is the season after fall! And when you get at home in bed, Thoughts of frost they fill your little

mind!-Anne Uhhuhmelmahey 1978

On your own, use the CSET format to answer the following question:

What season is described in the poem?

With your partner, share your answer

On your own, use the CSET format to answer the following question:

What season is described in the poem?

With your partner, share your answer

Sample AnswerSample Answer

The season that is described in the poem is winter. In the beginning of the poem Uhhuhmelmahey describes a heaving wind that “chills her fingers and her toes,” and later goes on to say that she sees “a dancing whirr of downy flakes.” Since the poet describes a brutally cold wind that flings flakes that most likely is snow, the poem is probably set during the winter when snow and cold are regular occurrences.

The season that is described in the poem is winter. In the beginning of the poem Uhhuhmelmahey describes a heaving wind that “chills her fingers and her toes,” and later goes on to say that she sees “a dancing whirr of downy flakes.” Since the poet describes a brutally cold wind that flings flakes that most likely is snow, the poem is probably set during the winter when snow and cold are regular occurrences.