1. In Text Citations & Tips
Make your essay AMAZING!

2. In Text Citations Make it clear where your evidence came from.
Cite your source = Identify who wrote or said what you are quoting or paraphrasing. Include a page number when using a book/magazine.
Words to help you:
According to (author or website),
(the author or website) claims, suggests, states, writes, reports, describes, implies, explains, argues, declares, observes, notes, reveals, remarks

3. In Text Citations
Your reader must be able to find the information you used.
Author’s name in text –
Mario Martinez states, “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.” (Martinez, 20) (first word in bibliography and page number for quote, book title can be found in bibliography by author’s last name = Martinez)
Author’s name not in text -
“I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.” (Martinez, 20) (author’s last name, because it’s the first word in the bibliography entry, and page number for quote, book title can be found in bibliography by author’s last name)
Website in text –
WebMd.com states, “The FDA does not regulate the production of e-cigarettes. So there is no government oversight or standard for how much or what chemicals are put in nicotine cartridges.” (Cigarettes) (first word in bibliography entry)
Website not in text –
“The FDA does not regulate the production of e-cigarettes. So there is no government oversight or standard for how much or what chemicals are put in nicotine cartridges.” (Cigarettes) (first word in bibliography entry, if more than 1 entry starts with the same word, put all words until entry is different)
Bibliography entry = "Cigarettes, Electronic -Topic Overview." WebMD. WebMD, 15 Aug Web. 12 Apr

4. Example A
Riding the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is a unique experience. According to Mario Martinez, Kingda Ka accelerates to 128 miles per hour in less than three seconds, going straight up at a 90- degree angle. “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.”
Who is Mario Martinez?
Which page in what book or article did the info and quote come from?
How does this evidence support the topic sentence?

5. Example B
Riding the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is a unique experience. According to author Mario Martinez in his book Roller Coasters of the World, Kingda Ka accelerates to 128 miles per hour in less than three seconds, going straight up at a 90-degree angle. (Martinez,18) Clearly, the extreme speed at which this coaster accelerates is unparalleled. Other roller coasters simply can’t compare to the one of a kind experience a rider finds on Kingda Ka In addition, Martinez states, “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.” (Martinez, 20) This suggests that Kingda Ka stands out among roller coasters as particularly intense. Roller coaster enthusiasts who want a matchless ride, will find Kingda Ka a dream come true.
Answers – who is Mario Martinez and what book/site did this info come from?
Answers – how does this evidence support the topic sentence?
Transitions
Concluding sentence

6. Explanations of text evidence
Make it clear how the text evidence supports your topic sentence. (Refer back to the Reasoning power point on Swift.)
Reread the evidence and ask yourself, “So what?”
Words to help you:
(the author) says this because,
this proves that,
this exemplifies how,
this confirms, demonstrates, describes, explains, illustrates, implies, suggests

7. Tips for the serious student
If you truly want your writing to be amazing, use the following 5 tips 

8. Tip #1 - organization Order your paragraphs wisely
2nd strongest argument first (start strong)
Weakest argument 2nd (hide your weakest argument between the better ones)
Strongest argument last (people will remember your last argument the best)
Place your counterargument with the argument it relates to (we’ll talk about this tomorrow).

9. Tip #2 – word choice Words to AVOID:
Uncertainty qualifiers – might, maybe, perhaps
Extremism – everything, all, none, always, never
Vague – some, kind of, somewhat
Hyperbole – life-saving, best of the best

10. Tip #3 – more word choice Words to use:
Sources of info – studies reveal, research shows
Realistic views – many, significant, most
Characteristics – primarily, frequently, often
Clear explanations – because, thus, for, due to, since
Relationships – impact, influence, tendency, contribute to
Active verbs – demonstrate, illustrate, identify, present, inform, reveal, show, express, justify, convey, elucidate

11. Tip #4 – proof read and edit
Read your essay out loud to yourself, slowly
Ask an adult to proof read (but remember, they may not have been taught the structure you need – even so, most of them can still spell or tell you if what you’ve written makes sense!)

12. Tip #5 - presentation matters
Type
Double space
Put name and period in a footer
Title your essay
Spell correctly – don’t ignore the red line under words!
Punctuate properly

13. Remember - Basic Essay Structure
Introduction – start broad and narrow to claim, use a quality hook (quote, anecdote, startling statistic) – specific topic should not be named until 3rd or 4th sentence Argument Body paragraph 1 = Claim 1 – use solid RATETES paragraph format Body paragraph 2 = Claim 2 – use solid RATETES paragraph format Body paragraph 3 = Claim 3 – use solid RATETES paragraph format Conclusion – start with restatement of argument (in different words), sum up the claim in each body paragraph (1 sentence per), end with a call to action
One of your body paragraphs should include a counterargument – usually combined with your topic sentence.

14. Remember RATETES format for body P’s
R + A = (topic sentence) Restate and Answer the question
T = Provide Text evidence (this might include direct quotations or paraphrasing, be sure to cite your source)
E = Explain how the evidence you provided connects to and supports your answer. Use transitions to help clarify the connections.
T #2
E #2
S = Summarize what you have said, restate your topic sentence in different words.