Analysis Writing 5-Paragraph Essay Self-Editing

Read your essay out loud to yourself – check for: a.Fluency/Flow b.Spelling/grammar c.Word choice d.Clarity of ideas *Make corrections as needed

To Complete On Your Own Draft: Using different colored highlighters, identify AND label in your INTRODUCTION: -the hook -the bridge/background info. -thesis *Make sure you have an underlined or italicized book title and the author stated somewhere

To Complete On Your Own Draft: Using different colored highlighters, identify AND label in your body paragraphs (3): -topic sentence -concrete detail -commentary/analysis Circle all your transitions Label each “chunk” in your paragraph with the main idea presented

Look at your topic sentences: Are they the first sentence in the paragraphs? Do they focus on ONE big idea and the significance they have to the text? Do they relate back to your thesis topic?

Look at EACH of your concrete details… Are they quotes right from the book/Paraphrased summaries of what happened? Do they SUPPORT your topic sentences/thesis? Are they punctuated AND cited correctly? “blah blah blah” (20). – Are they embedded? – Would they be interesting if they stood alone?

Look at EACH of your commentaries/analysis pieces Are they original ideas that are not tangible or found in the story? Do they connect to your concrete detail? Are they YOUR opinion? Do they answer the “so what?” about your concrete detail? Are they interesting/not too obvious? Do they CONNECT to your topic sentences/thesis?

Look at your conclusion… Do you REPHRASE your thesis? Do you summarize your main points? (look at your topic sentences for the BIG ideas) Do you leave your reader satisfied – your thoughts are complete and clear? Do you relate back to your hook if possible?

Last thoughts… If you don’t have transitions between ideas, add some! Use the transition sheet for help. If your main ideas don’t support your thesis, then change your thesis, or change your ideas! Third person? Present tense?