Writing Prep

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Major Issues

Title: Only underline ( or italicize if typed) a title if the work is a novel, an epic poem, or a play with FIVE acts. All else is in quotations.

Punctuation and Capitalization: If you have a unique writing style, work on formalizing your writing—any errors in caps or punctuation will hurt your score. NO rhetorical questions in expository text!

Sentence Variety: Simple sentences ( Ex. Hemingway personifies the sea as an honorable combatant.)

Subordination (Ex. Utilizing a feminine gender as a positive, Hemingway personifies the sea as an honorable combatant.)

Coordination (Ex. Hemingway personifies the sea as an honorable combatant; the positive characteristics of this feminized setting recalls the cultural beliefs of Cuban fisherman.)

Preposition errors—DO NOT end a sentence in a preposition, such as on, from, with, of, etc. Please avoid – of how, about how…

MLA Quote Inclusion and Citation

For paraphrasing: use an ellipsis (…) for paraphrasing a long quote

Like this: The author states “ Xxxx xxx … xxxx xxx” (180).

DO NOT use ellipsis at the beginning or the end of a quote!

For text inclusion: use “ “

Like this: The author states “ Xxxxx xxx xxx” (180).

For dialogue inclusion: use “ ‘ and ‘ “

Like this: Within the text, Santiago states, “ ‘ Xxxx xxx xxxx’” (180).

If you need to alter anything within the citation: use brackets Like this: Within the text, Manolin recalls “ xxx xx [ he makes] xxx Xxx” (180).

Quote Inclusion:

1. Within the literature, ________________________________ 2. At one point in the story, _____________________________ 3. The author’s belief, as evidenced by the following quote, is_________________ 4. The author states__________________________________________ 5. Certainly, the phrase ___________________________________ might indicate…. 6. The author utilizes (or employs)_____________ to generate the idea of …. 7. Using _______________, the author( or novel, piece of literature) relates….. 8. One may gather that the author made use of (or exploits) ____________ 9. The idea of _____________ is developed by ___________________ 10. When examining the author’s work, one must consider ______________

Examples:

1. According to some, dreams express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184), though others disagree. 2. “Profound aspects of personality” is said to be a form of introspection, or an “advanced notice of self-awareness” (Foulkes 184).

3. “Profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184) may be found within dreams.

Off Topic: Speak to the prompt, and to the text ONLY! If you discuss historical issues ( back in the days….) you veer off topic. Avoid value judgments—no could, should, would, if!

Summary as Analysis : Define: explaining EXACTLY what the quote just expressed… Depth of Discussion

1. Weaving more textual inclusion (with analysis) 2. Word choice ( diction) like why “bleeding” in bleeding tree? 3. Literary devices—tone, imagery, symbol , allusions, theme, characterization, etc. 4. Author intent—what the purpose? 5. Audience reaction—how are we supposed to react? 6.

Transition: Illustration Thus, Hence, Therefore, Namely Contrast On the contrary, In contrast, notwithstanding, however, nevertheless, yet Addition furthermore, moreover, equally, similarly, consequently

Passive Voice Vs. Active Voice—DO NOT use is, was, am, are, were, be, would, could, should, etc

1st person (informal tone)—DO NOT use you, we, our, I, my. Use one or the audience instead.

Present tense for literature analysis—do not use past tense for textual analysis.. only when discussing biographical info is it okay. NO verb shifts!

Expository Term Argumentative Term Meaning Thesis Claim/argument Focus of essay Topic Sentence Claim Focus of paragraph Primary Support Grounds Support for argument Secondary Support ( WHAT)

Secondary Support ( WHY)

Counterargument Opposing idea Warrant Universal idea supports argument

Introduction: Many pieces of media explore the idea of___________________________.

This holds true within the text, ________________________________________, by _______________________________________, in which the author discusses __________________________________________________________________.

Within the text, the author argues that __________________________________. ( if you want to synthesize other texts, then use the same frame, to introduce those texts, too) It is my firm belief that__________________________________.

Body Paragraph:

One of the arguments that the author poses is __________________, which is significant because _____________________________________________. According to the author, __________________________________________. The author felt that this was important because _________________________. (Example of warrant: As everyone knows,_____________________________.) In my opinion, __________________________________________. In addition ( or In opposition to this idea), I recall when _________________. This reflects _______________ because ______________________________. Therefore, ___________________________________________________.

Skeleton Essay

Notes: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction: Broad Sentence: Summary of text

Thesis:____________________________________________

__________________________________________________

_______________________________

Body Paragraph #1 topic:____________________ T.S.:_______________________________________________

__________________________________________________

______

WHAT: Evidence/Quote

Weave:____________________________________________

____

__________________________________________________

______________________________

HOW: Analyze important

parts:______________________________________________

___

__________________________________________________

______________________________

WHY: Supports Argument Because

___________________________________________

WHAT Evidence/ Quote Weave

:______________________________________________

__________________________________________________

______________________________ NOTE: If evidence is similar in nature—use “ Similarly,”

If evidence provides contrast—use “ In contrast,”

HOW: Analyze Important

Parts:______________________________________________

___

__________________________________________________

______________________________

WHY: Supports Argument Because

________________________________________

Body Paragraph #2 topic:____________________

T.S.:_______________________________________________

__________________________________________________

______

WHAT: Evidence/Quote

Weave:____________________________________________

____

__________________________________________________

______________________________

HOW: Analyze important

parts:______________________________________________

___

__________________________________________________

______________________________

WHY: Supports Argument Because

___________________________________________

WHAT Evidence/ Quote Weave

:______________________________________________

__________________________________________________

______________________________ NOTE: If evidence is similar in nature—use “ Similarly,”

If evidence provides contrast—use “ In contrast,”

HOW: Analyze Important

Parts:______________________________________________

___

__________________________________________________

______________________________

WHY: Supports Argument Because

___________________________________________

Conclusion:

Restate

Thesis:____________________________________

_______________ ( use different vocabulary)

Summarize what your wrote

Last thoughts