1. Gatsby Essay
Reflection Notes

2. MLA Format
-Most did an excellent job with embedding and punctuating quotes.
-I liked that you knew to cite both direct quotes and paraphrases.
-Be careful with MLA format concerning header setup, page numbering, etc. You can check the school web page under English dept for a sample MLA paper.

3. My Notations
-Underline or circle alone: look at this section (usually a good thing)
-RO: run on
-Frag: fragment
-Awk: awkward phrasing or usage issue (watch preposition usage ex: abuse of vs abuse to)
-Towards: the "s" is awk to me

4. Tone and Voice
-Many are using an informative tone; push to add passion/creativity by intentionally selecting a more interesting tone.
EX: Some mirrored FSF’s tone of outrage or indignation.
-BUT this is not to say I want you to overwrite. Some of you pushed so hard to “sound smart” that it got in the way of communication. You created long and/or awkward phrases, obscure generalizations that lacked exemplification, and misused words as connotations were off. (The thesaurus is not always your friend.)

5. Introductions and Conclusions
-Funnel format in intros worked! If anything was lacking it would be the addition of 1-2 sentences or 1-2 transition words to MANIPULATE your reader. Intros are about setting the mood!!!
-Intros MUST mention the author and work.
-Introduce me to character before, we gossip about them.
-Conclusions were, overall, amazing!! The analysis of the universal lesson was excellent. This needs to be embedded into you body paragraph analysis as well.

6. Body Paragraph Analysis
-Most successful essays focused on FSF’s development of the universal lesson and used the text as supporting material. This is what I mean by “discourse with the text.” The majority of these essays relied on the students’ commentary with a minority of the information coming from the text. They were text-driven not text- based. Essays that were text-based leaned toward summary, rather than independent analysis with insightful commentary.
-I was encouraged by your insightful comments on the characters. Now you need to push this analysis to universal themes rather than the specific text. The most successful AP testers use the text/prompts as a springboard for universal commentary. Commentary that only address the passage you are given will receive middle tier scores at best.
-A way to check for this is to read your thesis after every supporting point. Does your point prove the lesson FSF was teaching, or does it describe your character? Those are not interchangeable ideas. Complementary, yes. Interchangeable, no.
-Watch quota quotes.

7. New Skill to Master
Interrupting phrases for commentary & voice

8. Scoring Top Tier: College-level A
9: Excellent writing, driven by a larger issue inspired by text
8: Between 7-8
7: Excellent writing but analysis is driven largely by the text
Middle Tier: High school A/B+
6: Good writing but analysis is driven by the text
5: Writing varies, plot summary with nice commentary
4: Writing varies, plot summary with limited commentary
Bottom Tier: High school B-/C
3: Lacks organization or analytical feel, summary of plot
2: Vague generalizations, no link b/t support and examples
1: #2 with weaker voice and more mechanical issues