Basic Writing Guidelines September, 2014

Mandatory: 1.Complete sentences 2.Paragraph organization with T. S., S. D., appropriate transitions, and C. S. 3.When responding to literature, TEXTUAL EVIDENCE is mandatory! 4.Your own ANALYSIS connecting the evidence to the prompt (text-based analysis) Flexible: 1.Scholarly tone & style for formal assignments 2.Figurative language/ rhetorical devices/ imagery that supports style and content

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Discussion Questions Periods 1 & 8 1.Read over questions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. 2.Choose a first choice and a second choice question to address. *************************************** Periods 4, 5, & 7 1.Read over questions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. 2.Choose any 3 to respond to.

Color Code for Writing Revision Post- Its RED (or pink) = Textual evidence YELLOW = Your ANALYSIS of textual evidence BLUE = Organization (t. s., s. d., appropriate transitions, c. s.) Green = Conventions (spelling, cap., punctuation, complete sent.)

Focus 1.Take the prompt apart and find the key words. 2.Start writing on the prompt. Topic sentence should address all parts of prompt. 3.Stay on the prompt. Come back to the key words or synonyms to maintain focus.

Content 1.Always include the TAG– Title, author, and genre– when writing from literature. 2.All textual evidence must be TRUE! 3.Just because it is true, doesn’t mean it supports your thesis or addresses your prompt. Evaluate your evidence before including it.

Organization 1.Use transitions appropriately – “and” means you’ve added something distinct or are emphasizing something important. – “because” refers to WHY, not HOW. 2.Use LITERARY PRESENT TENSE. Literature is ALIVE NOW– stay in the present when referring to events and characters in the novel.

Style 1.Maintain a scholarly tone. – Avoid “you, your, yours” when referring to self or reader. – Unless the prompt invites you in, stay out. Avoid first person pronouns unless otherwise notified. 2.Use precise language. – A novel isn’t the same thing as a story.

Conventions 1.Punctuate titles of literature appropriately: – Lengthier works like novels, full-length plays, and epic poems need a floor to stand on, so underline them. Using italics is also appropriate. – Shorter works like stories, poems, and song titles are “lighter” so they can hang gracefully from “quotation marks.” 2.Spell titles and characters correctly. 3.Capitalize proper nouns– including titles and characters. Avoid all caps! 4.“Punctuate quotations correctly, including dialogue,” our knowledgeable teacher reminded us. 5.Always include (page #) after citing textual evidence.