Writing Workshop

Writing Tips: General

Take yourself out of it: (don’t say, “I believe,” “in my opinion,” “I think,” etc..)

Don’t drag your reader into it, “our society,” “this happens to us,” “we go,” “you do this”

Do not use contractions

Write in the active voice: “Jessica threw the ball” not “The ball was thrown by Jessica”

Write to an audience: ME

Write what you know!

Prewriting: getting the idea

Walk around, talk to yourself, take notes

Keep writing

Do bubbles, pictures, etc…

Make a specific outline

Organization: 5 paragraph essay

I. Introduction: 2-3 sentences

Thesis is the last sentence, it answer the question that is proposed.

II. 1-3 Body paragraphs

First body paragraph:

Main idea that supports thesis

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Specific detail 2 could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

III. Conclusion:

Timed write: 40 minute write: Write four paragraphs

 

Introduction variation:

 

I. Introduction:

A. 2-3 sentences introducing general information about the topic

Thesis: the answer to the task

 

OR

 

Introduction:

Thesis: the answer to the task

 

 

First body paragraph:

First Main idea that supports thesis

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Specific detail 2 could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

 

OR

 

First body paragraph:

First Main idea that supports thesis

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

 

Second body paragraph:

Second Main idea that supports thesis

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Specific detail 2 could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

OR

 

Second body paragraph:

Second Main idea that supports thesis

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

Conclusion:

 

Conclusion: (2-3) sentences:

Last closing arguments (1-2 sentences)

Restating the thesis

 

OR

Conclusion: (2-3) sentences:

Restate the thesis

25 minute Write: 2-3 paragraphs

I. Introduction:

A. 2-3 sentences introducing general information about the topic

Thesis: the answer to the task

OR

I. Introduction:

Thesis: the answer to the task

 

  

First body paragraph:

First Main idea that supports thesis

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Specific detail 2 could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)

Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

Conclusion:

 

Conclusion: (2-3) sentences:

Last closing arguments (1-2 sentences)

Restating the thesis

OR

Conclusion: (2-3) sentences:

Restate the thesis

Paragraph Write:

Main idea (serves as thesis)

Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea)

Specific detail 2 could be a quote)

Development (connect how the details fits the main idea)

Closing sentence: tie back to main idea

Okay so what is a specific detail?: Show DO NOT Tell

Telling:

My brother is talented.

Showing:

My brother modifies sports car engines, competes in ballroom dance tournaments, and analyzes chess algorithms.

More fun examples:

Achilles is a war hero.

Achilles killed seven men at one time, fought the greatest Trojan warrior and killed him while arguing with the gods and dealing with the current of the river.

Prompt

Some critics have argued that Homer condemns the tragic waste of warfare. Others have claimed that Homer celebrates warfare and the values of the warrior. Take a position on this widely debated issue, and present examples from the poem to support your position. (1 paragraph)