Essay Construction UNIT 1 SUMMATIVE WRITING Prompt Rubric

Essay Construction UNIT 1 SUMMATIVE WRITING

Prompt & Rubric Please do not discuss this with your peers Ideas start to sound the same/quotations used are the same Not really controversial anymore Out of class essay Due to turnitin. com next week by the start of class on Tuesday, October 13 th

Step 1: Thesis Statement See the rubric for expectations Be sure that you are fully answering the prompt Do not summarize! Answer the prompt in an open ended statement! Do you have key words/ideas that are clear and that you can provide reasons for in your paragraphs?

Step 2: Topic Sentences Analysis not plot Reasons not character/plot/summary Start with the training wheel phrase, “The first reason that…” and then delete it once you have established a reason Again, think about key words that connect back to your thesis statement

Step 3: Quotations Given the specific reason that you state in each topic sentence, identify at least 1 quotation for each body paragraph Quotations should be no more than 3 typed lines Cite correctly using MLA format Blend your quotations – read the to make sure they are grammatically and structurally correct Don’t just throw a comma in front of a quotation and assume it works Ex. Just before Macbeth meets with the murderers he says, “Quote” (2. 3. 1 -10). NOT Just before Macbeth meets with the murderers, “Quote” (2. 3. 1 -10).

Step 4: Introduce Quotation Provide context What is happening in the story at this time? This is your chance to talk about plot! Explanation should be plot free and should focus only on analysis

Step 5: Explain Quotations What’s the significance of the quotation? How does it prove your thesis/topic sentences? Don’t actually say “This proves my thesis because” What’s the deeper meaning/message that evolves because of the point that you’ve made? Don’t just repeat your thesis or topic sentence Based on your argument, what larger implication is apparent?

Don’t forget your Intro & Conclusion! See the graphic organizer for components

General Writing Rules No personal pronouns (I, you, me, we, us, etc. ) Use present tense when discussing literature No contractions Use transitions between paragraphs and between sentences Watch for vague verbs/vague words Verbs: got, said, “to be” verbs She got her diploma vs. She earned her diploma Words: good, bad, things, stuff, a lot Lady Macbeth insults Macbeth a lot. Lady Macbeth frequently and intentionally insults her husband to goad him into complacency.

Helpful Hints Spell check Read your paper out loud Give yourself a few hours (or even a day) where you don’t look at your essay and then revise again Revise at least twice once you’ve finished writing Ask a parent or friend (not in English IIH) to read and comment Grade your paper based on the rubric (be sure to at least look over the rubric)