Writing Basics

Things you should already know… 0 You should always write an essay in blue or blank ink – the only exception to this is writing with a pencil. 0 Do not EVER draw on your essay paper – it makes the person reading take you and your position less seriously. 0 Proof-read what you turn in – make sure all words are spelled correctly.

Organization 0 Introduction: State your idea or position. Capture the readers attention with a quote, phrase, or anecdote. 0 Body: This consists of several paragraphs which outline the reasons and supporting details surrounding your idea or position. 0 Conclusion: This is where you include your counter argument and final thought.

Organization

Capitalization 0 You only put a capital letter at the beginning of a sentence or when you are writing a proper noun. 0 Do not capitalize random words in your sentences.

Words you should NOT start a sentence with. 0 And 0 Or 0 Because 0 But 0 Remember that when you are asked to write an essay for school or testing it is always a formal exercise. 0 R Informal:But we hope to write an agreement today. Formal: Formal:However, we look forward to writing an agreement today. Nevertheless, we look forward to completing the agreement today

Transitional Words/Phrases 0 Using transitional words/phrases helps papers read smoothly, and at the same time allows the reader to flow more smoothly from one point to the next. 0 Transitions which can be used to conclude or summarize: 0 Transitions which can be used to compare two things: 0 Transitions which can be used to contrast things (show differences): 0 Transitions which can be used to add information: As a resultTo sum upIn conclusionAll in all FinallyThereforeIn summaryIn closing LikewiseAlsoSimilarly On the other handAlthoughHoweverStillEven though AdditionallyFor exampleFor instanceAnotherIn addition

Transitional Words/Phrases 0 Avoid using simple transitions such as; 0 Remember that you almost always put a comma after a transition word/phrase. Firstly Secondly Thirdly

Always write out… 0 Numbers – instead of writing out the number 2, write out the number two. 0 Instead of writing out “ok” write out the entire word “okay.” 0 Instead of writing out “b/c” write out “because.” 0 Instead of writing “r” write out the word “are.” 0 Instead of writing “u” write out the word “you.” 0 Remember you NEVER want to use text or note writing language.

Sentence Fragment 0 A sentence fragment is a sentence that: 0 Does not express a complete thought - 0 Example: Joe is. This sentence is lacking a complete thought- Joe is "something" but we don't know what Joe is. 0 Is lacking a subject 0 Example: Eating chicken. This sentence is lacking a subject-who or what is eating chicken? 0 Is lacking an action 0 Example: A book without a cover. What about a book without a cover? Is the book doing something? Is someone doing something to the book? We don't know, because there is no subject

Correcting a Sentence Fragment 0 The appropriate correction for sentence fragments depends on what is lacking. The sentence can be corrected by adding in a subject, or verb, joining the dependent clause with an independent clause, or completing the thought. 0 For example, each of the sentence fragments previously can be corrected: 0 "Joe is" can be corrected by adding an adjective describing what Joe is being. For example, "Joe is smart." The sentence now expresses a complete thought. 0 "Eating chicken" can be corrected by adding a subject. "Ann is eating chicken." "Eating chicken" could also become the subject. "Eating chicken is healthy." In this second correction, the subject is eating chicken, and it is doing the action of being healthy. 0 "A book without a cover" can be corrected by adding an action, and either a subject or object. "I am reading a book without a cover." I is the subject, am reading is the action, a book becomes the object.

Break up your thought… 0 Avoid run-on sentences that have multiple points but no punctuation breaks. 0 Remember periods and commas are necessary when writing an essay – or any type of writing really. 0 Example: WrongI think the governor should not allow teenagers to drive other teenagers because it can cause a lot of accidents and I think it would be better for everyone if teenagers only drove with adults. RightI think the governor should not allow teenagers to drive other teenagers because it can cause a lot of accidents. I think it would be better for everyone if teenagers only drove with adults.

Helpful Hints 0 You should never write one or two paragraphs for a formal essay. 0 You must support your position and to do that correctly you need to write four to six solid paragraphs. 0 Remember that a paragraphs has at least five sentences. 0 Avoid repetitive sentences.