Formal Writing Notes Analysis and Synthesis Tips for the writing you will do in this class. Reference these notes frequently.

The Basics For A Paragraph Thesis (1 sentence, 1st sentence) Details (4-8 sentences) Conclusion (1-2 sentences)

The Basics For An Essay Introduction (1paragraph) with Thesis Details (3-4 paragraphs) Conclusion (1 paragraph)

Great Thesis First sentence in a single paragraph; in intro in an essay Completely answer prompt in one sentence State title and author of applicable works

Stick to the Prompt Be sure to answer the prompt and stay on topic Cover specific details Include key terms from our studies Make an original argument. Don’t just repeat or summarize the source. Avoid emotional comments. “This is stupid.” “I like the story.”

What, How, Why *“What” is summary. This should be minimal. *“How” and “Why” are analysis. This should be your focus. How are literary terms/techniques used? How does this author present the message? Why does the author do this? Why do characters act a certain way? What connections can be made between sources? *Use phrases like: This illustrates… This is why… This proves… This means that… This symbolizes…This is important because… This connects to… This implies…

Stay Formal No 1st or 2nd person: I, you, we, our, me, us No “I believe,” “I think,” No slang “Ha ha,” “lolz”

Conclusion Don’t just restate the thesis State the importance of the information. How does this connect to something bigger?

Edit Carefully look over your writing one sentence at a time. Revising is how you get better at writing! Look for spelling, fragments, run-ons Don’t trust Word to do it all for you!

Cite Your Quotes! At the end of your piece of writing, you should have a works cited. Use the full citation here. Easybib.com can help you with the format if . In the text, follow your quotes with a parenthetical citation. The thing in parentheses is whatever is first in the full citation. (Usually the author’s last name, but sometimes the title if there is no author.) Follow that with a page number if there is one, or a line number in a long poem. (Websites won’t have page numbers.)

Example Example Citation Beowulf took his best men and “sailed straight to the Danish shore” (Beowulf, 124). Works Cited  Beowulf. Translated by Burton Raffael. Prentice Hall: The British Tradition.

Titles Put short stories, articles, and short poems in quotes. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” “The Pardoner’s Tale” Put whole works, books, movies in italics or underline. Beowulf The Princess Bride