1. Mr. Dreeson Miami Beach Senior High
Writing Code
Mr. Dreeson
Miami Beach Senior High

2. A - Title Every expository writing should have a title
Titles should be original
Titles should be as clever as possible
Titles are your first impression – make it a good one!

3. B - Structure Introductory paragraph Middle paragraphs
3 to 5 sentences in length
No quotes!
Middle paragraphs
5 to 9 sentences in length
Quotes required!
Concluding paragraph

4. Introductory Paragraph
General to specific
Use central focus of thesis statement
Two to three sentence transition
Thesis statement
Single sentence end of paragraph
Must contain author and title
Must contain the assertion (claim)
Must contain the impact
Should reveal essay structure

5. Middle Paragraphs
Topic sentence (related to a “prong” from your thesis) – NO QUOTES
Analysis
Explain what the text means
Quotes
Small pieces of text (credibility!)
Commentary
Additional observations/extensions
Summary/Capitulatory sentence
NO QUOTES!

6. Concluding Paragraph 3-5 sentences in length
A paraphrase of the thesis statement (reworded)
a summary of the two main points from the body of the essay.
A clincher (final strong observation / commentary)

7. C – Comma Splice
Separating two sentences with a comma instead of a period
A serious error!
Automatic “F” in grammar grade!
Avoid splices by putting a period between sentences

8. D – Sentence Fragment A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence
Avoid fragments by writing complete sentences
Avoid starting sentences with “And”, “Yet”, “But”, or “Because”, “There”, “This fact”

9. E – 1st or 2nd Person Do not use first person Do not use second person
I, me, my, we, us, our, mine
Do not use second person
You, your, you’re
Use third person!
He, she, it
The goal? Stay objective, not subjective. More fact, less feeling.

10. F - Diction Diction refers to the words you choose for your writing
Avoid clichés
Avoid terms like “very”, “the reader”, “extremely”
Keep your writing fresh and original

11. G – Improper Use of Quotes
Quotations should be in middle paragraphs only
Quotations should be in the middle of middle paragraphs (not first or last sentence)
Quotations should be 1 to 5 words maximum per quote

12. Example of quote combining
Hamlet laments about his troubled life as he considers his father’s murder, his uncle’s treachery, and his own indecision which culminates in a “sea of troubles.” (III, i, 58)

13. H – Beg/End Paragraph with a Quote
Quotes cannot be in the first sentence of any paragraph
Quotes cannot be in the last sentence of any paragraph
Quotes can only be in the middle of middle paragraphs!

14. I – Line or Page Numbers
After a quotation, line or page numbers must be used
Plays – Act, Scene, Line #
(III, ii, 47)
Poems – Line number (l. 17)
Novels – Page number (p. 54)

15. J - Focus Stay focused on the topic
Keep your thesis statement in mind as you write
Your topic sentence (1st sentence) is your focus…stay on task!

16. K – Grammar Error Avoid misspelled words
Avoid errors in subject-verb agreement
Singular subject – singular verb
Plural subject – plural verb
Avoid shifts in tense – try to write in present tense as much as possible!

17. L – Passive Voice Passive voice is weak Active voice is stronger
“The car is washed by Max.”
Active voice is stronger
“Max washes the car.”
Learn to spot passive voice
Verb “to be” + past participle
Ex: was + determined

18. M - Transition
Smooth transitions from one idea to another are important
Use proper transition words:
however, therefore, indeed, consequently, moreover, thus
Use proper transition sentences to move from one paragraph to another

19. N - Evidence Think of yourself as a lawyer! Prove what you say by:
Using quotations from the text
Using examples
Using statistics
Using allusions or historical parallels
The goal? Write as if you were an expert on literature. Back up what you claim with evidence!