2. Writing Tips: General Take yourself out of it: (don’t say, “I believe,” “in my opinion,” “I think,” etc..) Don’t drag your reader into it, “our society,” “this happens to us,” “we go,” “you do this” Do not use contractions Write in the active voice: “Jessica threw the ball” not “The ball was thrown by Jessica” Write to an audience: ME Write what you know!
3. Prewriting: getting the idea Walk around, talk to yourself, take notes Keep writing Do bubbles, pictures, etc… Make a specific outline
4. Organization: 5 paragraph essay I. Introduction: 2-3 sentences Thesis is the last sentence, it answer the question that is proposed. II. 1-3 Body paragraphs First body paragraph: Main idea that supports thesis Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Specific detail 2 could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph III. Conclusion:
5. Timed write: 40 minute write: Write four paragraphs Introduction variation: I. Introduction: A. 2-3 sentences introducing general information about the topic Thesis: the answer to the task OR Introduction: Thesis: the answer to the task First body paragraph: First Main idea that supports thesis Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Specific detail 2 could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph OR First body paragraph: First Main idea that supports thesis Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph
6. Second body paragraph: Second Main idea that supports thesis Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Specific detail 2 could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph OR Second body paragraph: Second Main idea that supports thesis Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph Conclusion: Conclusion: (2-3) sentences: Last closing arguments (1-2 sentences) Restating the thesis OR Conclusion: (2-3) sentences: Restate the thesis
7. 25 minute Write: 2-3 paragraphs I. Introduction: A. 2-3 sentences introducing general information about the topic Thesis: the answer to the task OR I. Introduction: Thesis: the answer to the task
8. First body paragraph: First Main idea that supports thesis Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Specific detail 2 could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis) Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph
9. Conclusion: Conclusion: (2-3) sentences: Last closing arguments (1-2 sentences) Restating the thesis OR Conclusion: (2-3) sentences: Restate the thesis
10. Paragraph Write: Main idea (serves as thesis) Specific detail 1 (could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea) Specific detail 2 could be a quote) Development (connect how the details fits the main idea) Closing sentence: tie back to main idea
11. Okay so what is a specific detail?: Show DO NOT Tell Telling: My brother is talented. Showing: My brother modifies sports car engines, competes in ballroom dance tournaments, and analyzes chess algorithms.
12. More fun examples: Achilles is a war hero. Achilles killed seven men at one time, fought the greatest Trojan warrior and killed him while arguing with the gods and dealing with the current of the river.
13. Prompt Some critics have argued that Homer condemns the tragic waste of warfare. Others have claimed that Homer celebrates warfare and the values of the warrior. Take a position on this widely debated issue, and present examples from the poem to support your position. (1 paragraph)
