Praxis Core Argumentative Essay Live Edit and Revision | Kathleen Jasper

The speaker begins by testing streaming equipment and software to ensure it works while recording. They plan to edit a Praxis core argumentative essay to demonstrate the functionality of the equipment. The essay is nearly good enough to pass but contains minor mistakes that the speaker intends to correct. The speaker likes certain aspects of the essay, such as its strong thesis statement, and plans to share their screen to edit the essay in Google Docs. The essay's prompt addresses the teacher shortage and suggests that higher pay could solve the issue.

The speaker focuses on editing the details paragraph of the essay, noting that the original sentences are somewhat chaotic and need to be clarified. They suggest simplifying the language and avoiding passive voice. The paragraph discusses the workload and compensation of teachers, citing a study that shows many teachers left the profession in 2022 due to low pay. The speaker emphasizes the importance of specificity and clarity when presenting details and statistics.

The speaker continues to refine the details paragraph, ensuring that the language is clear and grammatically correct. They address issues such as the use of semicolons and the importance of parallel structure in sentences. The paragraph is restructured to flow better, with a focus on the extra hours teachers work without compensation and the fact that they are leaving for better-paying jobs in other sectors.

The speaker discusses how to write an effective introduction for the essay. They point out the need to avoid redundancy and to use words that accurately convey the intended meaning. The introduction should set the stage for the thesis statement and highlight the importance of the issue at hand. The speaker suggests starting with a strong opening line that emphasizes the importance of qualified teachers and the consequences of a teacher shortage.

The speaker refines the thesis statement and ensures that the introduction leads into the body of the essay. They discuss the importance of the demands of the job matching the compensation and how this relates to the teacher shortage. The speaker emphasizes the unfairness of setting high expectations for educators without providing adequate compensation, which supports the thesis that teachers should be paid more.

The speaker addresses the conclusion of the essay, suggesting that it should present a solution to the problem discussed in the essay. They recommend avoiding cliches and ensuring that the conclusion is succinct and supports the main points of the essay. The speaker advises that while the conclusion is important, it should not be overly detailed, as the main focus should be on the details paragraph and the thesis statement. They also provide a final summary of the essay's key points and the changes made during the editing process.

The speaker concludes the session by summarizing the key points of editing an essay and the importance of practicing the writing process within a set time limit. They mention that they are testing streaming equipment and will continue to provide editing sessions if they are well-received. The speaker also advises viewers to read their essays aloud to check for clarity and coherence and to ensure that sentences support each other. They emphasize that minor tweaks can significantly improve an essay and potentially lead to a passing score.