1. Intermediate Composition Study Guide
By: Emily Prieto

2. What is the Correct MLA Format?
The paper must be double spaced.
Font: Times New Roman Black/ Font Size: 12
The title must be centered.
The paper should be double spaced and a header at the top right hand corner of the page.

3. What is Formal Writing? No Contractions No first or second person
No abbreviations
You should not end a sentence with a preposition.
No Fragments or Run- On’s
Avoid passive voice
Vary Sentence Structure and Word Choice
Spell out numbers.
Limit the use of Linking Verbs.
Do not begin a sentence with a Conjunction.
Don’t use Slang.

4. What is Informal Writing?
Informal writing- is the language spoken by most people every day.
Contractions and First Person are acceptable.
Sentences are Shorter.
You tend to avoid formal punctuations.

5. The Writing Process Revising Read, Read, and Reread again.
Prewriting
Brainstorming Ideas
Drafting
Getting it down on paper.
Revising
Read, Read, and Reread again.
Editing
Proofreading
Evaluating
Peer editing
Publishig
Presenting it to an Audience

6. The Paragraph Structure
Attention Getter
Narrow your focus
Topic sentence main point 1
Supporting Sentence
Transitional sentence main points 1 and 2
Topic sentence 2
Supporting sentence
transition sentence main point 2 and 3
Topic sentence main point 3
Clincher
Strong restated Thesis. Summarize what you have just written. The clinching or projecting sentence. Then you are done.

7. 6+1 Traits The 6+1 traits are: Ideas Organization Conventions Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Presentation

8. Unit Two: The 6+1 Traits of Writing

9. 1. Ideas
The heart of the message, the content of the piece of writing, the main theme, together with the details that enrich and develop that theme
Pieces with good Ideas:
Are appropriate for the audience and purpose of the piece
Have been well thought out (brainstormed) to discover the best possible information to use in the writing (This is where pre-writing comes in)
Have a narrow topic that stays focused and clear
Give interesting, relevant, accurate, original details that provide the reader with valuable information, not “fluff”
Answer any questions the reader has (do not leave reader with questions about your topic) 

10. 2. Organization
The internal structure of the piece ,the thread of central meaning, the logical pattern of ideas in the piece
 Pieces with good Organization:
Have an excellent introduction that draws the reader in
Have a thesis statement that clearly and articulately tells the main idea of the whole piece
Have body sentences/paragraphs that support the main idea well
Have logical, clear sequencing – how you order/organize details in your essay.
Organizational options:
By time – order details chronologically (in the order that they happen); good for original stories (narratives) or explaining events (news stories)
By content – group details together into categories; good for explaining types of something (term paper on types of sharks)
By space – start with a big impression, then move gradually to smaller details; good for describing areas (descriptive paragraph on your room)
By perspective – organize according to one or both sides of an issue (good for persuasive essay about the harmful effects of smoking)
Have controlled pacing – how fast/slow you move through parts of your essay; how much time you spend on important items/less important items (you should elaborate on important details and give brief explanations of those less significant)
Have effective transitions that link one idea (or paragraph) to another
Have a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader with a sense of resolution and closure

11. 3. Voice Be aware of the audience and purpose
The heart and soul, the magic, the wit, along with the feelings and conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words
Writing with good Voice should:
Be aware of the audience and purpose
Be honest and sincere with the reader (the reader can tell if you are being insincere)
Be natural and compelling
Have an appropriate tone
Show the writer’s enthusiasm
and individuality
Take risks and experiment with style
appropriate to audience and purpose

12. 4. Word Choice
The use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader
Pieces with good Word Choice:
Use words that are accurate (Say what you mean! Find the exact right word!)
Use striking language that catches the reader’s eye (Dazzle the reader)
Have language that is natural, effective, and appropriate (Don’t use big words just because they are big. Find the appropriate word, big or small, and use it.)
Use lively verbs (not many linking verbs!) and specific nouns and modifiers
Do not use slang – no “cool,” “hott,” “a lot,” “have a blast,” etc.
Do not use clichés (commonly over-used phrases) – no “I ate like there was no tomorrow,” “she was screaming her head off,” “last but not least,” etc.

13. 5. Sentence Fluency The rhythm and flow of the language;
how the writing sounds
auditory trait: how sentences “play to the ear”
Pieces with good Sentence Fluency:
clearly convey meaning with good sentence structure
have an easy-to-read flow, rhythm, cadence
have varied sentence structure – use a variety of structures (simple, compound, and complex sentences)
have varied sentence lengths - short and long sentences flow with one another throughout the piece
have varied sentence beginnings – sentences that start the same way every time are boring. Change it up!
sound nice, flows well when read aloud
The best way to check for good Sentence Fluency: READ YOUR WRITING ALOUD! 

14. 6. Conventions The mechanical correctness of a piece of writing
Pieces with good Conventions include:
Correct spelling
Correct grammar and usage
Correct capitalization
Correct punctuation
Correct paragraphing – how paragraphs are separated (where they begin/end), how long/short they are
Important note: Make sure you do not rely solely on spell check! Always read your final draft after you edit!!!  

15. +1. Presentation Focuses on the form and layout of your writing
This includes MLA format, neatness, and any graphics
Papers with good presentation:
Have good readability and are pleasing to the eye
Should have formatting appropriate for your audience and purpose (for our purposes – MLA format at all times). This includes headings, font, page numbers, works cited, etc.
Should present graphics and visuals clearly (tables, charts, graphic organizers). Visuals should support and clarify the important information or key points in your writing
Should have no smudges, wrinkles, coffee stains, or any other marks that might occur on the way from your house to the classroom. Keep you paper safely tucked away until you turn it in.

16. Types of Writing
Persuasive
Expository
Descriptive
Narrative

17. Descriptive Writing
Purpose: To paint a picture with words, to create a vivid image in the readers mind, to make the reader use all of his or her senses.
Examples: Journals, Travel Brouchers, menus, stories, and letters.
Elements of good Descriptive Writing:
Form pictures with words with the reader imagining it.
Includes all five senses: Hear, touch, taste, see, and smell.
Includes most of the interesting details
Show me, Don’t tell me.

18. Expository Writing Purpose: To inform, explain, and to explore.
Examples of Expository writing are:
Compare and Contrast Essay
Cause and Effect Essay
Problem and Solution essay
Research papers
Resumes
News Stories
Informative Pieces
Instructions and Direction Essays

19. Persuasive Writing
Purpose: To convince your audience of your argument, position, or interpretation of an issue.
Examples of Persuasive Writing:
Debate
Speech
Research paper
Literary analysis
Historical analysis
Advertisement
News Editorial

20. Narrative Writing
Purpose: To recount a personal experience or original story.
Examples of Narrative Writing:
Novels, Short Stories, Journals, and Plays
Narrative Writing has a Plot, Setting, Characters, Rising action, Climax, Resolution, Flashbacks, foreshadowing, irony, symbolism, and Themes.

21. Definitions of the Elements of Narrative Writing
Setting – where and when the story takes place
Characters – participants in the story
Plot – events that happen in the story, including:
Conflict – struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces in a story
Rising Action – where most of the action takes place; conflict begins to develop; events that lead up to the climax
Climax – the moment in a story when a conflict reaches its highest point of tension
Resolution – wraps up the story, resolves conflict

22. Things to remember in Narrative writing
Create authentic characters with real feelings and interesting things to say
Identify where and how the story begins
Center the story around an unusual conflict, problem, or question
Order the events of the plot to keep the reader wanting to know what will happen next
Leave boring details out
Include a resolution to the conflict, problem, or question
Include a story ending that’s satisfying to the reader