Document Based Writing Do’s and Don’t’s

Topic Sentences

Do make a specific topic sentence Examples – “A woman who holds a special hatred for the upper classes of the corrupted French society, Therese Defarge wraps herself in a cocoon of vengeance and spite and throws herself into supporting the French Revolution – a support which is shown in her fierce participation in the commoners’ revolutionary activities and in her determination to seek revenge for the deaths of her family members.” – “In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the character Madame Defarge is a violent, cruel character living during the French Revolution period that, by trying to get justice is unjust herself.” – “Caught up in the madness and bloodshed of the French Revolution, Madame Defarge goes along with the mob fever in the era, and forget what is right.”

Do not be vague or cite documents Examples: – “There were many people who have been sucked into the vicious, cruelty of the French Revolution and who don’t listen to their conscience, the “voice of being,” as stated in Document A, but Charles Darnay does not get caught up in all of the issues of the war.” – “Dr. Manette is a kind and honest man.” – “Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities illustrates clearly how Lucie Manette is, without a doubt, the kindest, most warm-hearted character in the book.”

Body

Do provide specific examples and details “Darnay is offered to stay in France and to live a life of luxury with wealth and land if he takes on the position of the Marquis and the family name; however, he rejects the family name and everything that comes with it.” “She even goes so far as to viciously hack the head off of a helpless prison official.”

Do explain and make connections “Sydney Carton first finds the plot of Madame Defarge and sends Lucie and her father to safety before they are caught and also sentenced to death; even though Sydney Carton could have gone with Lucie and her father he does not go, instead he plans out a way to rescue Charles Darnay.” “To elaborate, she believes that Charles’ relation to the Evermondes makes him guilty for the sins of his relatives.” “When his former servant, Gabelle, is sentenced to death in Revolutionary France, Charles decides to travel to France and attempt to help him in what ways he can, risking his life by going to the torn country.”

Do not be vague “This rebellious and generous act of bravery shows how Carton decides to stick it to the Republic.” “The French Revolution causes a lot of harm in Lucie Manette’s life, while these things in particular are the main causes.” “As Havel proclaims in Document A, “whether all is really lost or not depends entirely on whether or not I am lost.” “This applies to Madame Defarge’s bad reaction because she is, in fact, lost.”

Do include and cite document “She is not rational and does not listen to her conscience, the “voice of Being,” as stated in Document A.” “She looks endlessly, and not even her “voice of being” can keep her from doing whatever she can to get her revenge (Document A).”

Do use transition phrases and words “In the beginning of the novel,... Later in the novel.” “By listening to his conscience Sydney Carton does two things in order to keep Charles Darnay and his family safe.” “An example of this situation would be...” “As a result... “Another way..

“During the French Revolution many people reacted differently depending on the situation.” “Sydney Carton rescues Charles Darnay from the prison by tricking him into switching clothes, then drugging him unconscious, and making the guards think that Charles Darnay is Sydney Carton and making them take him away. Later Sydney Carton takes his place as Charles Darnay in line to get his head separated from his body by the guillotine.” Do not include irrelevant or unspecific details

Conclusion

Do include a concluding sentence, referring to your topic sentence and adding a further insight “Madame Defarge’s malicious, pitiless personality restrains her from ever succeeding in learning to let go of her past and perhaps finding other things to bring her newfound joy.” “Thus Darnay is a true example of a moral and just man. He will do what is correct and fair no matter what opposition he is faced with.”

More Do’s and Don’t’s Do not use contractions - don’t, can’t, wouldn’t, etc. Do use 3 rd person only – he, she, it, they Do not use slang or clichés – “sugarcoat” – “backs off” – “going along with everybody” – “in the heart of all of this” – “stick it” – “way past the breaking point” – “clean up loose ends” Do use literary present tense – Darnay renounces his title Do not over use document Do not write this without telling what you are referring to – This situation, this quote, this tragedy, this conundrum, etc. Do ask questions and listen as I go over the assignment

Anything Else? Do not worry if you cannot read my handwriting – it is atrocious