1. IN-CLASS ESSAY: WRITING STRATEGIES Part of the Gavilan Writing Center In-Class Essay Series

2. The In-Class Essay  You will receive the article one week before you write the in-class essay.  You are allowed to annotate the text and make one page of notes to use.

3. Practical Steps to Successfully Revising Your Essay 1. Reading2. Annotation3. Making Notes4. Author’s Thesis5. Observations/Evidence/Examples6. Quotations7. Time Management8. Proofreading

4. Read, Read, and Re-Read Skim and Predict. Read Casually. Then put the article away for a few hours. Read and Annotate. Highlight ONLY main points. Write important thoughts/opinions in the margins.

5. Annotation  Highlight/Underline  ONLY the main ideas in each paragraph.  the author’s thesis statement (if you can find it).  Write short notes in the margins  Focus on key ideas, questions you have, strong opinions and reactions to the article.

6. Make Notes Find a Note-Taking strategy that works for you. Make a Reading Log Use the T.I.P.S. + Worksheet Use the Group Worksheet: Preparing for In-Class Exams

7. Use the T.I.P.S.+ Handout

8. Author’s Thesis Statement 1. Re-read the article and review your notes. 2. Looking at all the main points, write the author’s thesis statement. 3. If your teacher allows, gather with a study group and review the article—compare your notes.

9. Edit and Proofread  After you write your essay, take a few minutes to go back and check your grammar and spelling.  Look for sentence-level errors (comma splices, run- on sentences, fragments), spelling errors, verb tense errors, etc.

10. Preparing to Write Your Essay  Review the elements of a summary  Decide whether you agree or disagree with the author’s overall main point.  Brainstorm for evidence from both the text and from your knowledge and life experience to support your thesis.  Create an outline.