Writing

Writing

**__Essential Questions__**: How do organization, varied syntax, and specific diction create structural unity and individual voice? How does citing specific examples from the text lend credence to our own arguments ?

// Throughout the year, we are going to be focusing on specific areas of our writing. These will be referred to as FCAs, and I will indicate which 3 will be the focus before you are given a writing task. //
 * Focused Correction Areas **

- addresses author style, tone, and purpose (theme) - one compound, complex, or compound-complex sentence.
 * Thesis Development **


 * Textual Support **
 * incorporates relevant and substantial evidence from the text.
 * thoroughly and clearly connects evidence to thesis
 * cites the source, including a page number and/or line number.

- organized according to sub-themes or motifs. - inter/intra paragraph transitions
 * Organization **

- uses an advanced intro strategy (smattering, extended metaphor, allusion, etc) to establish theme of paper and personal voice
 * Intro Strategies **

- concluding statement of theme of essay vs. summary - connects to introduction seamlessly.
 * Conclusion Strategies **


 * Style **
 * implementation of active voice (avoids helping verbs)
 * strong diction
 * varies syntax
 * avoids contractions and first or second person pronouns
 * minimal grammatical or spelling errors
 * use of independently created figurative language


 * Mechanics **
 * semi-colon
 * colon
 * quotation marks

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 * Explicating the Prompt: **


 * Thesis Development **

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**Weaving**

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**Introductory Strategies**

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**Paragraph Development**

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**Concluding Strategies**

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**Helpful Tools**

media type="custom" key="9395696" AP Writing: Tips and Strategies Livebinder - this site is a collection of resources I developed, such as the podcasts that will take you through the research process, step-by-step, as well as a variety of sites that will help you both in this course and in your collegiate courses.

Below are some examples of prompt explication and introductory strategies to use based on Frankenstein.
 * __ Timed Writing Examples __**

**__Research Writing__** We are going to spend a few days going over this in class, but if you refer to the link above and explore the Research Podcasts tabs, you will see everything we will be covering.

Below is a rough outline of what we will be covering:

**Day 1**: //Narrowing Your Topic and Sources:// //Online Research Tips// //and Tricks// ~by length requirement ~by teacher specifications ~by preliminary research

Diigo Sweet Search Read It Later Hakia Academic Index Google Scholar

 **Days 2 and 3**: //Evaluating Sources and Annotated Bibliography//

__Objective 1__: create a document that explains to the sophomore classes how to evaluate the different types of sources using Google docs. Guiding questions: What kinds of sources are there (both print and electronic)? What does it mean to evaluate a source? Why is it important to evaluate sources? What things do we look for to determine if a source is high quality? How do I find the information I need to evaluate a source? What kinds of things do I consider for print vs. electronic sources?

__Objective 2__: create an annotated bibliography of 5 sources that focuses on your topic for your senior project.