Academic Writing
Next Paper First paper was a good warm-up to get us writing It was also a good example of one of the four AP essay forms—narrative. It also parallels the topic of your next paper, which you will be writing when we finish The Crucible. In the first paper you wrote about your own “defining moment.” In this one you will discuss the “defining moment” for a character in the play. Next Paper
A thesis statement offers a concise summary of the main claim of your paper. It should be stated at the end of your introduction. In fact, you may not even want to bother with an intro… The statement should be developed, supported, and explained in the body of your paper by using examples and evidence. Thesis statements
A topic sentence introduces both a topic and a claim about the topic A good topic sentence is focused, specific, and exceptionally clear Topic sentences should be at the beginning of your paragraphs They tell the reader what you will be discussing in the body of the paragraph Topic sentences
Thesis: Hemingway and Plath both use point of view and symbolism to argue that becoming a mother is an individual experience that should be free of societal expectations. TS1: In each of these works, the father reflects the societal norms and plays a role in a woman’s feelings about motherhood. TS2: Plath does not mention the father overtly; however, the point of view and the symbolism lead the reader to understand his influence on the speaker’s views of motherhood. TS3: Through the use of symbolism, Plath critiques the Victorian-age motherhood ideals by highlighting the speaker’s ambivalence toward her new baby. Identify key terms from your thesis and weave them into your topic sentences
Your paragraphs for papers in this class should be at least ten sentences long. You need to fully develop the topic and claim from your topic sentence in the body of your paragraph Make sure you know what your paragraph should accomplish before you write it. Don’t write yourself into your topic sentence Body of a Paragraph
Transitions Transitions carry the reader from one idea to the next. They should help the reader see the connection or relationship between ideas. They also prevent sudden, jarring leaps between topics. Transitions
Agreement: Furthermore, In addition, Not only… but also, Of course, etc. Comparison/Opposition: By comparison, In contrast, Even though, On the other hand, etc. Effect/Cause: As a result, Consequently, Therefore, Accordingly, With ____ in mind, etc. Conclusion: As can be seen, Given these points, As shown above, Altogether, Ultimately, etc. Transitional Words