Writing G AVILAN C OLLEGE

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  Understand and restate the author’s argument.  Give your opinion on whether you agree or disagree with the author’s argument.  Throughout your essay, demonstrate you understand what the author is saying.  Provide support for your point of view.

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing THERE ARE 3 PARTS TO THE WRITING PROMPT. 1. Summarize the author’s opinion. 2. State whether you agree or disagree. 3. Support your thesis with specific examples from the article and your own experience.

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing Summary + Your Thesis Introduction Main Idea 1 Main Idea 2 Main Idea 3 Conclusion

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing Summarize the author’s thesis and main points in the introduction.  Identify the author and the title of the article.  Restate the author’s overall topic and overall main idea (thesis).  Summarize all or most of the author’s supporting main ideas from the body paragraphs.  Use your own words.  May include one direct quote or no quotes at all.  Typically ¾ of a page long.  Avoid personal opinion in the summary of the article.  Refer back to the author/article often (author argues, claims, states, believes, etc.).

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  The last sentence of your introduction is your thesis.  Choose the side of the argument you can best support.  State clearly “I agree with the author because...” or “I disagree with the author because....”

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing Support your thesis with at least 3 points (1 per paragraph).  Refer to the author’s words as you develop your own argument.  Draw on your personal experience and reasoning to argue your case. Your conclusion should restate your thesis and summarize your main points.

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  Restate the author’s name and thesis.  Restate your thesis and summarize your main points.

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  Research or review the author and context of the article.  Read and annotate the article.  Discuss the article.  Define unfamiliar vocabulary.  Write the summary paragraph.  State your position.  Outline your main ideas.  Highlight quotes in the article.  List supporting personal experience.

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  Your annotated article  Define key words  Identify important points  Highlight quotes  1 page of notes  Summary paragraph  Rough outline of essay  2 pens  Loose leaf paper  Dictionary/thesaurus (not electronic)

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  Read the prompt carefully. If you have questions, ask your instructor for clarification.  If there are multiple parts to the prompt, be sure to address all parts.  Adjust your outline accordingly.  Write your response tailoring it to the prompt.  Reread the prompt to make sure you’ve answered the question.  Proofread your essay.

The Writing Center will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this event. If you require an accommodation, contact Sara Sanchez at (408) Please include the requested accommodation along with your contact information. G AVILAN C OLLEGE Writing Center LI120 PHONE: (408) WEBSITE: gavilan.edu/writing  Double space your response.  Neatly cross out and correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.  It’s okay to add a paragraph or rearrange your essay as long as the order is clearly marked.