“Why My Parents Should Buy Me a Table t”

ESSAY PACKET COMMENTS

Subject-Verb Agreement

Abbreviated SVAINCORRECT: You can monitor the sites I

visits.CORRECT: You can monitor the sites I visit.

Pronoun- Antecedent Agreement

Abbreviated PAAINCORRECT: The tablet is a great tool that I

can use. They will help me tremendously.CORRECT: The tablet is a great tool that I

can use. It will help me tremendously.

TRANSITIONS: However

Use when two ideas oppose each otherINCORRECT: I can access the school’s

website with a tablet. However, Fun Brain is an educational game I can play with a tablet.

CORRECT: I went to bed early. However, I am still tired.

Ways to Punctuate: I went to bed early. However, I am still tired. I went to bed early; however, I am still tired.

TRANSITIONS: In addition (to)

Don’t begin first body paragraph with itWays to punctuate:

In addition, a tablet can be used for school purposes. In addition to entertainment, a tablet can be used for

school purposes. (In addition to…what?)Don’t use “also” in a sentence that already

has “in addition” or “additionally” in it. In addition to entertainment, a tablet can also be used

for school purposes.

TRANSITIONS: Besides

Be sure to follow it with something….Besides what???

INCORRECT as a topic sentence: Besides, tablets are convenient.

CORRECT as a topic sentence: Besides being entertaining and educational, tablets are convenient.

TRANSITIONS: On the other hand

Only use when you are telling a contrasting/opposing position

Example: Many people like to visit the beach for the ocean and sunshine. On the other hand, many tourists enjoy the beach for the shopping and other man-made attractions.

TRANSITIONS: In fact

Do not begin a paragraphs with “In fact,…”You must have stated something you plan to

back up with a fact first.Whatever you say must back up what you

just said.INCORRECT: Tablets can be used to access

educational videos. In fact, tablets are great for typing papers.

CORRECT: Tablets can be used to access educational videos. In fact, You-tube contains videos to help you with math concepts.

TRANSITIONS: In fact

How to punctuate “in fact” The United States is quite a big country. In fact, it

contains fifty states. The United States is quite a big country; in fact, it

contains fifty states.

TRANSITIONS: For example

Do not begin paragraphs with “For example,…”You must have stated something you plan to

back up with an exampleWhatever you say must be an example of

what you just saidINCORRECT: Tablets are faster than

computers. For example, they are portable and lightweight.

CORRECT: Tablets are faster than computers. For example, most tablets boot up within a matter of seconds.

TRANSITIONS: Too

Use too when you mean also She wants to go, too. (comma before) She, too, wants to go. (comma on both sides)

Use too when you are showing the extent of something. She is too late to participate. (no comma)

TRANSITIONS: Another key point

Only use in topic sentences.Supporting details are not key points, so

don’t use this transition within a paragraph.INCORRECT: Another key point, tablets are

great tools for entertainment.INCORRECT: Another key point, is tablets

are great tools for entertainment.CORRECT: Another key point is tablets are

great tools for entertainment.

Pay Attention to AUDIENCE

You were writing a letter to your parents.When you use the pronoun “you,” you are

referring to them.Example: You can use a tablet for typing papers

for school. (What???? Your parents can use it for that purpose?)

Be careful about using second person. It is usually best to use third person. NO: You should have to make good grades to play sports. YES: Students should have to make good grades to play

sports.

GRAMMAR: Run-ons

Joining two independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction

Example: Incorrect:

Tablets are great investments they can help you out a lot. Correct:

Tablets are great investments because they can help you out a lot.

Tablets are great investments. They can help you out a lot.

Tablets are great investments; they can help you out a lot.

GRAMMAR: Comma Splices

Joining two independent clauses with only a comma

Example: Incorrect:

Tablets are great investments, they can help you out a lot. Correct:

Tablets are great investments because they can help you out a lot.

Tablets are great investments. They can help you out a lot. Tablets are great investments; they can help you out a lot.

GRAMMAR: Parallelism

When you have items in a series, those items should all match, meaning they are parallel.

INCORRECT: A tablet has a bigger screen, a GPS, time restrictions, you can save money on a data plan, free-texting, and a tablet is fast.

CORRECT: A tablet has a bigger screen, GPS, time restrictions, no data plan, free-texting, and a faster system.

GRAMMAR: Indentions

Every time you start a new paragraph, you should begin writing on the next line and indent that line.

Example:A man is running swiftly to escape the evil

beasts that are trying to eat him. He runs, jumps, slides, and ducks to dodge obstacles. During his escape, he glides on ropes and collects coins…

One reason that you should buy me a tablet is that it is convenient. For example, it is lightweight, portable, cellular, and faster than a computer…

IDEAS: INTRODUCTION

HOOK must come first! Needs to be short (no more than probably three to

four sentences) Should NOT overshadow the rest of your paper Must relate to the topic!

Might need a link sentence to connect your hook to the thesis

THESIS ends the intro! Tells your stance on the topic Don’t begin with “I think” or “I believe”

IDEAS: TOPIC SENTENCES

Must be about the paragraph!Everything in the paragraph must relate back

to the topic sentence.Make sure it’s general.Begin with a transition or else make sure the

words naturally flow.

IDEAS: CONCLUSION

Don’t restate your ideas word-for-wordState ideas in a new and different wayRemember your three major strategies:

Call to action Offer a solution to a problem Make a prediction (long-term effects)

LINK BACK to the hook from the intro.

STYLE: VAGUE DICTION

Don’t use the words “good,” “things,” or “stuff” in your writing.

These are called “dead words.”Go to next slide for better options.

STYLE: Better Options

Try using these words instead of “good.” Valid Beneficial Practical Valuable Advantageous Effective Functional Profitable Exceptional Favorable Positive Satisfying Superior Exemplary Desirable Ideal

BIGGEST TIP: RE-READ!!!!!

When we write, we make silly mistakes. Equally important, I can access to the school websites

is useful and to see what work I missed. I would really enjoy using for communication and

entertainment because it is so easy to use.RE-READ (PROOFREAD) so you can fix

careless mistakes.