IMPROVING WRITING

USING COMPLETE SENTENCES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

The most important thing anyone can do to become a strong writer is using complete sentences ALWAYS.

This year my expectation of every single person in this class is that every question or comment should be responded to with complete sentences and answers.

One key thing to remember is that all responses should use the QUESTION in the answer.

EX- What type of writing tells a story?

The type of writing that tells a story is called narrative writing.

Copy this slide into your WRITING

Section

PRACTICE Answer ALL of the following questions by looking around the room. DON’T FORGET TO USE THE QUESTION IN THE ANSWER

1. What is the first sentence in an extended paragraph?

2. What is one good writer practice that you agree with? Why?

3. What is something that Shakespeare once said?

4. Choose one quote found in the room and explain what it means to you.

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT ACADEMIC WRITING

Now that you are in 8th grade you may no longer:

• Use personal pronouns• Write basic summaries in your academic writing• Use lower level vocabulary• Plagiarize • Believe that body paragraphs have any less then seven

sentences • Use Wikipedia as a source • Use any source that does not meet the Source Criteria Checklist • Write without using direct quotations properly • Write without properly citing your sources

WHAT IS AN EXTENDED PARAGRAPH?An extended paragraph is the first type of academic writing that you will be using in class.

OUTLINE:

The Extended Paragraph

• Sentence 1: Introduction Sentence• Sentence 2: Thesis Statement• Sentence 3: Supporting Detail #1• Sentence 4: Elaborate on Supporting Detail #1 using direct

evidence from the text• Sentence 5: Supporting Detail #2• Sentence 6: Elaborate on Supporting Detail #2 using direct

evidence from the text• Sentence 7: Concluding Sentence

WRITING AN INTRODUCTION SENTENCE

An introduction sentence should be a general statement that introduces the concepts that will follow within a paragraph. This statement should not directly answer the question but rather allow a smooth transition into the thesis statement.

DO NOT USE A QUESTION

Example: Explain the importance of Shakespeare’s quote “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” to the play Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeare is a world famous playwrite who’s quotations are regularly used today.

TRY IT:

Create INTRODUCTION statements for the following questions:

1. Are violent video games the reason for increased mass murders?

2. Why is chronological order important to writing a story?

3. Is it appropriate to use social media and text when you are out with friends?

4. What is the most important literary device to creating interest for a reader?

THESIS WRITING

A THESIS statement is a sentence (or two) that explains the main idea of your paper and answers the major question posed by the paper.

An effective thesis has a definable, arguable claim and is a very specific statement that covers only what you want to discuss in your paper . This statement should be supported (proven) with specific evidence in the paper. 

EXAMPLE: PROMPT:IS IT IMPORTANT TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO CITE SOURCES?

THESIS: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TEACH STUDENTS TO CITE SOURCES BECAUSE THEY MUST BE ABLE TO DO SO IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY WRITE AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL.

Try it- Create a Thesis Sentence for the following writing prompts (remember not to use personal pronouns!!!)

1. Are violent video games the reason for increased mass murders?

2. Why is chronological order important to writing a story?

3. Is it appropriate to use social media and text when you are out with friends?

4. What is the most important literary device to creating interest for a reader?

CHOOSING AN EXAMPLE

The most important thing to remember when choosing an example is that it must support your thesis statement.

Example: If your thesis is –

“It is very important to teach students to cite sources because they must be able to do so in order to successfully write at an advanced level.”

Then your examples must discuss how citations prove that one can write at an advanced level.

Can you think of anything that supports that statement??

CORRECTLY WRITING AN EXAMPLE

A great way to remember how to properly explain an example is through the pneumonic device SEE. See Sets will help to make sure that you are fully explaining your examples.

Statement that introduces the example.

Explanation of the evidence that you have included.

Elaboration of the example that connects it back to your thesis.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Your final sentence should “wrap it up”

INTRODUCING QUOTES NUMBER 1

To quote a critic or researcher, you can use an introductory phrase naming the source, followed by a comma.

• According to Smith “…………….” (3).• In Smiths words “…….” (42).

Try it:

• “ A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (Shakespeare)

• “Tuck your chin; you’re going to get hurt so you might as well see it coming.” (Haydon)

ANOTHER WAY TO INTRODUCE QUOTES:

Another way to introduce a critic's words is to use a descriptive verb, followed by a comma. Avoid using says unless the words were originally spoken aloud, for instance, during an interview. 

• Examples: Smith states, "This book is terrific" (102). Smith remarks, " . . . Smith writes, " . . . Smith notes, " . . . Smith comments, " . . . Smith observes, " . . . Smith concludes, " . . . Smith reports, " . . . Smith maintains, " . . . Smith adds, " . . .

Now: Go back and look at your portfolio- Identify at least one spot where you didn’t properly introduce a quote- did you just place it in there? Place a star next to that quote.

ADVANCED QUOTATION USAGE:

1. You can use a full sentence followed by a colon to introduce a quotation. Examples: The setting emphasizes deception: "Nothing is as it appears" (Smith 1). Piercy ends the poem on an ironic note: "To every woman a happy ending" (25).

2. You can also begin a sentence with your own words, then complete it with quoted words.Note that in the second example below, a slash with a space on either side ( / ) marks a line break in the original poem. Examples: Hamlet's task is to avenge a "foul and most unnatural murder" (Shakespeare 925). The speaker is mystified by her sleeping baby, whose "moth-breath / flickers among the flat pink roses" (Plath 17).

PRACTICE!

Rewrite the following paragraph- introducing the quotes properly and using in text citations

There are a multitude of reasons one should own a dog; the most important being that they are loyal friends. “Pit-bulls are particularly dangerous because once they bite down it is impossible to open their jaws” (34 Smith). This is a terrible and untrue sentiment. Saying things like that have even lead to more dogs dying. “Pit bulls have a higher incidence, then any other dog, of being put down in a shelter” (Jones) 31. That is why you should always adopt a pit bull.

USING THE TWO QUOTES BELOW CREATE A STATEMENT ABOUT PHILIP’S HOME LIFE

Don’t forget to INTRODUCE THE QUOTES and use at least one vocabulary word!!!

1. “Mom and Dad have been arguing a lot lately. Wonder what that means?” (8)

2. “Folks always reminding me about the money they have put away for me for college, which is the only way to go.” (3)

USING THE TWO QUOTES BELOW CREATE A STATEMENT ABOUT MISS NARWIN’S EFFICACY AS A TEACHERDon’t forget to INTRODUCE THE QUOTES and use at least one vocabulary word!!!

1. “ I feel I am in need of new ideas, strategies and concepts to keep my teaching vital.”(14)

2. “Bad Combo—boring teaching and stupid books.” (18)

USING TRANSITIONS IN A PARAGRAPH

Transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. Within paragraphs, transitions tend to be single words or short phrases.

Transitions help readers to understand the relationship between sentences and create a flow

EXAMPLES OF TRANSITIONS LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

Similarity also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly

Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the

contrary, still, yetSequence/Order first, second, third, … next, then, finallyTime after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier,

immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then

Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate

Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, trulyPlace/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby,

thereCause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus

Additional Support or Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then

Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in

sum, to sum up, in summary

USING THE TWO QUOTES BELOW CREATE A STATEMENT ABOUT PHILIPS SITUATION AND ITS RELATION TO “THE POISON TREE”

Don’t forget to INTRODUCE THE QUOTES, use at least one vocabulary word and PROVIDE TRANSITIONS BETWEEN YOUR SENTENCES.

“I was angry with my foe; I told it not, my wrath did grow.” (Blake 1)

“And I sunned it with smiles; and with soft deceitful wiles.” (Blake 1)