Writing UnitWriting Unit

Honors English IHonors English I

IntroductionIntroduction

►Funnel IntroductionFunnel Introduction 1. general statement reflecting the main idea 1. general statement reflecting the main idea

of the essay (this sentence is of the essay (this sentence is not vague!not vague!)) 2. expansion and / or definition 2. expansion and / or definition 3. link to literature 3. link to literature 4. introduction to author and work4. introduction to author and work 5. needed information based on main idea 5. needed information based on main idea

(transition to thesis)(transition to thesis) 6. state thesis 6. state thesis statementstatement

Thesis Thesis StatementStatement

►Must be a complete sentenceMust be a complete sentence►Must be the last sentence of your Must be the last sentence of your

introduction introduction ►Must include main idea of the essayMust include main idea of the essay►Must include each body paragraph Must include each body paragraph

topic in the order that each appears in topic in the order that each appears in the essaythe essay

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

► Topic SentencesTopic Sentences► 1. must directly relate to the thesis statement1. must directly relate to the thesis statement► 2. include key words (or synonyms) from the 2. include key words (or synonyms) from the

thesisthesis► 3. include topic of paragraph3. include topic of paragraph► 4. include transitional word or phrase4. include transitional word or phrase► 5. essentially, refer to above paragraph and 5. essentially, refer to above paragraph and

introduce present oneintroduce present one► 6. 6. EVERYEVERY paragraph paragraph mustmust have a topic have a topic

sentencesentence

Body Paragraph Cont.Body Paragraph Cont.

► Examples and OrganizationExamples and Organization► 1. each new topic must have a body 1. each new topic must have a body

paragraphparagraph► 2. must be well developed using concrete 2. must be well developed using concrete

(specific) examples (2-3) from the text to (specific) examples (2-3) from the text to prove each point presented in the paragraphprove each point presented in the paragraph

► 3. must relate to main idea of essay as 3. must relate to main idea of essay as presented in thesispresented in thesis

► 4. must be 8-12 sentences long4. must be 8-12 sentences long

Adding CitationsAdding Citations

►Choose quotations carefully:Choose quotations carefully:►Do not choose a quote that repeats Do not choose a quote that repeats

what you plan to explain in your essay; what you plan to explain in your essay; a quote should enhance your a quote should enhance your argument, not repeat it.argument, not repeat it.

►Choose a quote that can be analyzed – Choose a quote that can be analyzed – short quotes that present what you short quotes that present what you can easily state are not good quotes.can easily state are not good quotes.

Adding CitationsAdding Citations

►Quote Incorporation and Parenthetical CitationQuote Incorporation and Parenthetical Citation► 1. All direct quotes and / or dialogue from 1. All direct quotes and / or dialogue from

texts must be quotedtexts must be quoted► 2. Quotes need 2-3 sentences of context.2. Quotes need 2-3 sentences of context.► 3. All quotes must have a lead-in – 3. All quotes must have a lead-in – do not do not

begin a sentence with a direct quote begin a sentence with a direct quote ► 4. Use ellipses [. . .] when omitting words from 4. Use ellipses [. . .] when omitting words from

a quotes – a quotes – this cannot change the meaning of this cannot change the meaning of the quotethe quote

► 5. Use a bracket [ ] when adding a word for 5. Use a bracket [ ] when adding a word for clarity or sentence flow clarity or sentence flow – this cannot change – this cannot change the meaning of the quotethe meaning of the quote

Quotes Cont.Quotes Cont.

► 5. Explain the purpose of each quote following 5. Explain the purpose of each quote following its incorporation. This its incorporation. This must not repeatmust not repeat the the information provided by the quote; instead information provided by the quote; instead explain why it supports the point. explain why it supports the point.

► 6. All quoted and paraphrased material must 6. All quoted and paraphrased material must have an MLA style parenthetical citation: have an MLA style parenthetical citation: (Steinbeck 47)(Steinbeck 47)

► 7. In summary, each quote should have 7. In summary, each quote should have a) a lead-in a) a lead-in b) MLA format for incorporation b) MLA format for incorporation c) proper explanation of usec) proper explanation of use

SampleSample

►““With us it ain’t like that. We’ve got a With us it ain’t like that. We’ve got a future. future. We’ve got somebody to talk to We’ve got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to jack jus’ because we got no place else to go.go. If them other guys gets in jail they If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”not us.”

►Decide which parts of the quote are Decide which parts of the quote are needed.needed.

Sample Cont.Sample Cont.

►Create a lead-in and cite correctlyCreate a lead-in and cite correctly►George tells LennyGeorge tells Lenny, “We’ve got somebody , “We’ve got somebody

to talk to that gives a damn about us. We to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go” (Steinbeck 14).to go” (Steinbeck 14).

►Lead-ins should be smooth and citations Lead-ins should be smooth and citations should mention author’s last name and should mention author’s last name and page numbers. Careful not to create a run-page numbers. Careful not to create a run-on.on.

Body Paragraph Cont.Body Paragraph Cont.

►Closing SentenceClosing Sentence►1. one complete sentence1. one complete sentence►2. logically ends paragraph2. logically ends paragraph►3. relates to the main idea as 3. relates to the main idea as

presented in the thesis statement presented in the thesis statement without being repetitivewithout being repetitive

►4. 4. does notdoes not introduce new information introduce new information or mention the topic of the next body or mention the topic of the next body paragraphparagraph

ConclusionConclusion

► 1. Reverse funnel required (specific to 1. Reverse funnel required (specific to general)general)

► 2. Reworded2. Reworded thesis must be the first sentence thesis must be the first sentence► 3. Sum up 3. Sum up each topiceach topic – one sentence per topic – one sentence per topic► 4. Reference author and title of novel 4. Reference author and title of novel ► 5. Provide concluding statement “call to 5. Provide concluding statement “call to

action” or thoughtful analysis of main idea action” or thoughtful analysis of main idea ► 6. At least 6 sentences6. At least 6 sentences

Other GuidelinesOther Guidelines

►Do not use questions.Do not use questions.►Do not use clichés or idioms.Do not use clichés or idioms.►Do not use contractions.Do not use contractions.►Do not use first or second person.Do not use first or second person.►Write clear, concise sentences.Write clear, concise sentences.►Use appropriate verb tense.Use appropriate verb tense.►Check your commas.Check your commas.►Check all forms of agreement.Check all forms of agreement.►Check for semi-colon and colon.Check for semi-colon and colon.