1. Writing Review
Ms. Fillweber

2. Thesis Statement

3. Stepping Away from the 3-point Thesis
Using the writing prompt, create a question. After you have created a question, compose one sentence that answers it.
The answer to the question is your thesis statement.
Examples:
How did the human nature of the people in Salem feed the hysteria?
How can an individual who has strong religious beliefs stray so far away from them in his/her actions?
How did John's desires interfere with the lives of his neighbors?

4. How to tell a strong thesis sentence from a weak one
Takes a stand: It needs to show your conclusions about a subject.
Justifies discussion: A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial and readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.
Expresses one main idea: If you have more than one example, you need to show the relationship between the two, expressing one clear idea. Many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like—because, since, so, although, unless, and however.
Be specific: Your thesis should show exactly what your paper will be about; therefore, narrow the subject to something specific and manageable.

5. Integrating Passages

6. Quotations Should Have a Purpose
Keep direct quotations as short as is necessary by editing them. Keep only the most powerful words and ideas.
The emphasis of your writing should be your own thoughts and ideas. Avoid using other people’s words to end your paragraphs.
Make it clear how the quotation is connected to your argument.

7. Use Quotation When…
The language is particularly powerful, memorable, or elegant.
Exact wording is needed for technical accuracy.
The passage itself is worthy of further analysis.
The quotation exemplifies the writer’s style or typifies a character or the theme
You wish to argue with the quotation in detail.
The words of an authority lend weight to an argument.

8. Using the Text to Strengthen your Writing
Setting up and Integrating Quotations
Option 1: Subordination 
Start sentence with a dependent clause to set up your point. Use words like when, because, since and follow with the name of the person you are quoting along with either the quotation or a point that will set up the quotations. 
Example1: 
When Miller claims, “the quotation,” he assumes that… --your explanation of the quotation. 
Example 2: 
Because Proctor feels that –your point here--, he claims, “the quotation.”
Option 2: Participle Phrase  
Make your point and reference the author of your text, then follow with a participle like claiming, explaining, stating, advocating, arguing or another more descriptive form of saying and the quotation. 
Example:
Proctor assumes that –your point here--, arguing that “the quotation.” Or
Reverend Parris views –your point here--, explaining, “the quotation.”
 Note: Don’t forget to cite your sources.

9. Integrating a Quotation with Effective Transition Words
The Narrator/Proctor/Miller
agrees …
argues …
asserts ….
demonstrates …
defends ...
disagrees ...
notes ...
states ...
believes ...
concedes ...
concludes ...
denies ...
explains ...
insists ...
signals ...
recommends ...
reveals ...
shows ...

10. Punctuation for Introducing a Quotation
Use a comma after a verb that introduces a quotation.
Smith concludes, “The solution is elusive; years of research are still required” (32).
Use no punctuation if the introductory phrase ends with “that.”
Smith emphasizes the need for patience, noting that “years of research are still required” (32).
Use a colon after a complete sentence that introduces a quotation.
Smith implies that the answer will not come quickly: “The solution is elusive; years of research are still required”(32).

11. Making Changes to Quotations
Use square brackets  [ ]  to add words in a direct quotation. This is done to clarify meaning or to make the quotation fit grammatically with the rest of the sentence.
Removing Words: Use an ellipsis
( ) to denote that you have removed words from a direct quotation
Single quotation marks are used for a quote within a quote.

12. Sentence Variety

13. Compound Sentences
A sentence that contains two or more independent clauses.
independent clause, fanboys independent clause
John Proctor wants to live, but he refuses to sign the confession.
2. Independent clause; independent clause (both clauses need to be related)
Hale wants Proctor to confess; he believes the lie is the lesser of two evils.
3. Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause (a few examples: therefore, however, otherwise, meanwhile)
Elizabeth Proctor wants John to live; however, she refuses to tell him what to do.

14. Complex Sentences
A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses have subordinating conjunctions: although, if, because, since, so that, when, while, before, after or relative pronouns: who, which, that
Sentence starts with a dependent clause.
After Elizabeth Proctor lies to the court, they arrest John.
Sentence ends with a dependent clause.
The people in Salem refuse to testify against the girls because they don’t want to be arrested.