Can you write a five body essay in short time?

Structure/Framing

Title

Prepare readers for the essay’s focus AND argument. Try to make it interesting. Two “prongs” are recommended.

Introduction

Lead readers into the thesis with anecdote or other info related to your argument. Be sure to include transition to your thesis stmt. Give background info if needed.

Thesis Statement

Must include an arguable claim; make it both broad & narrow enough to inform readers of the essay’s focus & argument. Place it at end of intro.

Topic Sentences

State or imply the paragraph’s topic AND claim (think of it as a mini-thesis statement).

Organization

“Cover” all paragraphs with the thesis statement and the content of each paragraph with the topic sentence. Present points and sub-points in a logical order.

Transitions

See Blackboard file

Prevent jarring jumps between sentences & paragraphs. Use transition words/phrases as needed.

Exit Sentences

Reinforce (without repeating) the topic sentence. Don’t bring up new points in exit sentences.

Conclusion

Reinforce the argument without repeating points from the body. Make recommendation or suggestion. Predictions can be effective. Try to end on a powerful note. Make it memorable

DEVELOPMENT OF ARGUMENT

Logic

See Logical Fallacies file on Blackboard

Make logical and accurate observations, claims, & assertions. Avoid generalizations, assumptions, simplifications, & melodrama. Avoid logical fallacies. Beware of misinterpreting sources or writers’ intentions.

Audience Awareness

Don’t OFFEND members of any particular identity group. Don’t make assumptions about your readers (so avoid using “you”). Use professional language and tone.

Substance of Argument

As you develop your argument, offer specific answers to such questions as WHY?, HOW?, and especially SO WHAT? Don’t stay on the surface; dig below it.

Supporting Evidence

Sources can help, but they can’t do ALL the work FOR you. Offer your OWN ideas & observations.

Support your statements & claims with evidence. Offer enough evidence to potentially persuade readers to agree with you. Use evidence that contributes something meaningful and answer SO WHAT? to make sure that readers are getting the point that you want them to get.

Counter-Argument (CA) & Refutation

When a realistic counter-argument exists, acknowledge it, admit some validity of it (if needed), and refute it. Signal to your readers when a CA or a refutation is coming.

SOURCE USE

Source Use

At least __ secondary sources are required to pass.

Offer material from a variety of sources to convince readers that you have thoroughly researched this topic and are capable of synthesizing multiple sources. Refer to essay instructions.

Source Value

Sources are important, BUT don’t let them TAKE OVER YOUR paragraphs.

Include references to sources that contribute to the paragraph in a meaningful way and genuinely use them as support for your argument, as a counter-argument, and/or as a refutation. All sources must be credible.

Source Integration

Appropriately signal, quote/paraphrase/summarize, structure, and cite in MLA style ALL source material. In most cases, discuss sources in present tense. See “source sandwich” definition on Blackboard.

Works Cited

See Blackboard files

List in MLA style ALL sources used in the essay, assuring proper “partnering” with in-text references. Properly format Works Cited page (example on Blackboard).

EXPRESSION

Clarity: ?

[? or awk]

Reword to express the idea in a clear and correct way. Don’t leave out necessary words.

Word Choice:

[WC]

Choose accurate & specific (not vague) words.

Word Form

[wf]

Change form of word to make sense in your sentence. Perhaps you used an adjective where an adverb is correct, so add –ly.

Sentence Variety: SV

Vary the length & structure of sentences. (But CLARITY is more important than sentence variety.)

Conciseness: WY or PV

Avoid wordiness & ineffective passive verbs. (But CLARITY is more important than conciseness.)

GRAMMAR & MECHANICS

Fragment: [Frag]

Incomplete sentences can’t be presented as sentences.

Fused or Run-on Sentence: [RO]

Two complete sentences can’t be fused together with nothing joining them. Also called run-on.

Comma Splice: [C/S]

Two complete sentences can’t be joined with only a comma.

Noun/Verb Error: [agr]

Nouns and verbs must agree. Remember to add –s to present tense 3rd person singular verb.

Spelling & Caps: [SP/Cap]

Words must be spelled & capitalized correctly.

Title Error:[T]

Use MLA style to properly italicize or quote titles. Capitalize content words, no end punctuation, use same font as body text, no ital/BF.

Pronoun Error: [Pro]

Pronouns require a noun reference (i.e. “this” and “some” need to be followed by a noun). Pronouns & nouns must agree (i.e. NOT when a man…they / NOT people…that).

Modifier Error: [MM]

Words/phrases that modify a noun must be placed beside that noun. (i.e. NOT Walking the dog, the road…)

Preposition [prep]

Choose the correct preposition. See Top 20 chapter 7

Nonparallel Structure:

[NP]

Items in lists must be structured the same way to be parallel. (i.e. NOT I love dancing, singing, and to act). Some phrases are always pairs (i.e. not only…but also; either…or; neither…nor).

Punctuation Error

[p]

Punctuation error. Figure out what is wrong. Ask me if you are not sure. It could be any of the following.

Apostrophe Error: [p]

Apostrophes indicate possession. Watch placement (before or after ‘s’) and rules relating to “it’s” and “its.” Watch the hand tic of adding apostrophe to plural noun that is not possessive.

Colon Error: [p]

Colons must follow a complete sentence & replace the phrase “I’m going to get more specific now.”

Semicolon Error: [p]

Semicolons are “soft periods” that connect 2 complete sentences.

Comma Error:

[p]

Law 1: after intro phrases. Law 2: before and, or, but, so, IF both sides can stand alone. Law 3: threads used to yank items out (nonrestrictive phrase). Remember: no comma with restrictive phrase; no comma between subject and verb.

Verb form error

[vf]

You have misused a verb. Usually, this error consists of not adding -s after present tense 3rd person singular verb. I play; he plays.

Verb tense error

[vt]

You have written verb in wrong tense. Remember: past ttense for completed actions. Look at grammar texts for correct verb tense usage.

Highlighted word or phrase

There is something wrong here. Can you figure it out? Go the Writing Center and/or ask me.

Singular/plural error

[pl]

There is an error here regarding number: singular or plural.

Sentence structure

[ss]

There is a sentence structure error here. Rewrite the sentence following S-V-O. Look at sentence pattern information in Pyramid.

If I use an abbreviation not listed here (and that is possible; I am human), please bring it to my attention. I want my comments to be clear.