Writing Code Mr. Dreeson Miami Beach Senior High

A - Title Every expository writing should have a title Every expository writing should have a title Titles should be original Titles should be original Titles should be as clever as possible Titles should be as clever as possible Titles are your first impression – make it a good one! Titles are your first impression – make it a good one!

B - Structure Introductory paragraph Introductory paragraph 3 to 5 sentences in length 3 to 5 sentences in length No quotes! No quotes! Middle paragraphs Middle paragraphs 5 to 9 sentences in length 5 to 9 sentences in length Quotes required! Quotes required! Concluding paragraph Concluding paragraph 3 to 5 sentences in length 3 to 5 sentences in length No quotes! No quotes!

Middle Paragraphs Topic sentence (related to a “prong” from your thesis) – NO QUOTES Topic sentence (related to a “prong” from your thesis) – NO QUOTES Analysis Analysis Explain what the text means Explain what the text means Quotes Quotes Small pieces of text (credibility!) Small pieces of text (credibility!) Commentary Commentary Additional observations/extensions Additional observations/extensions Summary/Capitulatory sentence Summary/Capitulatory sentence NO QUOTES! NO QUOTES!

Concluding Paragraph 3-5 sentences in length 3-5 sentences in length A paraphrase of the thesis statement (reworded) A paraphrase of the thesis statement (reworded) a summary of the two main points from the body of the essay. a summary of the two main points from the body of the essay. A clincher (final strong observation / commentary) A clincher (final strong observation / commentary)

C – Comma Splice Separating two sentences with a comma instead of a period Separating two sentences with a comma instead of a period A serious error! A serious error! Automatic “F” in grammar grade! Automatic “F” in grammar grade! Avoid splices by putting a period between sentences Avoid splices by putting a period between sentences

D – Sentence Fragment A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence Avoid fragments by writing complete sentences Avoid fragments by writing complete sentences Avoid starting sentences with “And”, “Yet”, “But”, or “Because”, “There”, “This fact” Avoid starting sentences with “And”, “Yet”, “But”, or “Because”, “There”, “This fact”

E – 1 st or 2 nd Person Do not use first person Do not use first person I, me, my, we, us, our, mine I, me, my, we, us, our, mine Do not use second person Do not use second person You, your, you’re You, your, you’re Use third person! Use third person! He, she, it He, she, it The goal? Stay objective, not subjective. More fact, less feeling. The goal? Stay objective, not subjective. More fact, less feeling.

F - Diction Diction refers to the words you choose for your writing Diction refers to the words you choose for your writing Avoid clichés Avoid clichés e.htm#Quotes e.htm#Quotes e.htm#Quotes e.htm#Quotes Avoid terms like “very”, “the reader”, “extremely” Avoid terms like “very”, “the reader”, “extremely” Keep your writing fresh and original Keep your writing fresh and original

G – Improper Use of Quotes Quotations should be in middle paragraphs only Quotations should be in middle paragraphs only Quotations should be in the middle of middle paragraphs (not first or last sentence) Quotations should be in the middle of middle paragraphs (not first or last sentence) Quotations should be 3 to 5 words maximum per quote Quotations should be 3 to 5 words maximum per quote

Example of quote combining Hamlet laments about his troubled life as he considers his father’s murder, his uncle’s treachery, and his own indecision which culminates in a “sea of troubles.” (III, i, 58) Hamlet laments about his troubled life as he considers his father’s murder, his uncle’s treachery, and his own indecision which culminates in a “sea of troubles.” (III, i, 58)

H – Beg/End Paragraph with a Quote Quotes cannot be in the first sentence of any paragraph Quotes cannot be in the first sentence of any paragraph Quotes cannot be in the last sentence of any paragraph Quotes cannot be in the last sentence of any paragraph Quotes can only be in the middle of middle paragraphs! Quotes can only be in the middle of middle paragraphs!

I – Line or Page Numbers After a quotation, line or page numbers must be used After a quotation, line or page numbers must be used Plays – Act, Scene, Line # Plays – Act, Scene, Line # (III, ii, 47) (III, ii, 47) Poems – Line number (l. 17) Poems – Line number (l. 17) Novels – Page number (p. 54) Novels – Page number (p. 54)

J - Focus Stay focused on the topic Stay focused on the topic Keep your thesis statement in mind as you write Keep your thesis statement in mind as you write Your topic sentence (1 st sentence) is your focus…stay on task! Your topic sentence (1 st sentence) is your focus…stay on task!

K – Grammar Error Avoid misspelled words Avoid misspelled words Avoid errors in subject-verb agreement Avoid errors in subject-verb agreement Singular subject – singular verb Singular subject – singular verb Plural subject – plural verb Plural subject – plural verb Avoid shifts in tense – try to write in present tense as much as possible! Avoid shifts in tense – try to write in present tense as much as possible!

L – Passive Voice Passive voice is weak Passive voice is weak “The car is washed by Max.” “The car is washed by Max.” Active voice is stronger Active voice is stronger “Max washes the car.” “Max washes the car.” Learn to spot passive voice Learn to spot passive voice Verb “to be” + past participle Verb “to be” + past participle Ex: was + determined Ex: was + determined

M - Transition Smooth transitions from one idea to another are important Smooth transitions from one idea to another are important Use proper transition words: Use proper transition words: however, therefore, indeed, consequently, moreover, thus however, therefore, indeed, consequently, moreover, thus Use proper transition sentences to move from one paragraph to another Use proper transition sentences to move from one paragraph to another

N - Evidence Think of yourself as a lawyer! Think of yourself as a lawyer! Prove what you say by: Prove what you say by: Using quotations from the text Using quotations from the text Using examples Using examples Using statistics Using statistics Using allusions or historical parallels Using allusions or historical parallels The goal? Write as if you were an expert on literature. Back up what you claim with evidence! The goal? Write as if you were an expert on literature. Back up what you claim with evidence!