In Text Citations & Tips Make your essay AMAZING!

In Text Citations  Make it clear where your evidence came from.  Cite your source = Identify who wrote or said what you are quoting or paraphrasing. Include a page number when using a book/magazine.  Words to help you:  According to (author or website),  (the author or website) claims, suggests, states, writes, reports, describes, implies, explains, argues, declares, observes, notes, reveals, remarks

In Text Citations  Your reader must be able to find the information you used.  Author’s name in text –  Mario Martinez states, “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.” (Martinez, 20) (first word in bibliography and page number for quote, book title can be found in bibliography by author’s last name = Martinez)  Author’s name not in text -  “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.” (Martinez, 20) (author’s last name, because it’s the first word in the bibliography entry, and page number for quote, book title can be found in bibliography by author’s last name)  Website in text –  WebMd.com states, “The FDA does not regulate the production of e-cigarettes. So there is no government oversight or standard for how much or what chemicals are put in nicotine cartridges.” (Cigarettes) (first word in bibliography entry)  Website not in text –  “The FDA does not regulate the production of e-cigarettes. So there is no government oversight or standard for how much or what chemicals are put in nicotine cartridges.” (Cigarettes) (first word in bibliography entry, if more than 1 entry starts with the same word, put all words until entry is different)  Bibliography entry = "Cigarettes, Electronic -Topic Overview." WebMD. WebMD, 15 Aug Web. 12 Apr

Example A  Riding the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is a unique experience. According to Mario Martinez, Kingda Ka accelerates to 128 miles per hour in less than three seconds, going straight up at a 90- degree angle. “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.”  Who is Mario Martinez?  Which page in what book or article did the info and quote come from?  How does this evidence support the topic sentence?

Example B  Riding the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is a unique experience. According to author Mario Martinez in his book Roller Coasters of the World, Kingda Ka accelerates to 128 miles per hour in less than three seconds, going straight up at a 90-degree angle. (Martinez,18) Clearly, the extreme speed at which this coaster accelerates is unparalleled. Other roller coasters simply can’t compare to the one of a kind experience a rider finds on Kingda Ka. In addition, Martinez states, “I have ridden hundreds of coasters. But none of them were as terrifying as this one.” (Martinez, 20) This suggests that Kingda Ka stands out among roller coasters as particularly intense. Roller coaster enthusiasts who want a matchless ride, will find Kingda Ka a dream come true. Answers – who is Mario Martinez and what book/site did this info come from? Answers – how does this evidence support the topic sentence? Transitions Concluding sentence

Explanations of text evidence  Make it clear how the text evidence supports your topic sentence. (Refer back to the Reasoning power point on Swift.)  Reread the evidence and ask yourself, “So what?”  Words to help you:  (the author) says this because,  this proves that,  this exemplifies how,  this confirms, demonstrates, describes, explains, illustrates, implies, suggests

Tips for the serious student  If you truly want your writing to be amazing, use the following 5 tips

Tip #1 - organization  Order your paragraphs wisely  2 nd strongest claim first (start strong)  Weakest claim 2 nd (hide your weakest argument between the better ones)  Strongest claim last (people will remember your last argument the best)  Place your counterargument with the argument it relates to (we’ll talk about this tomorrow).

Tip #2 – word choice AVOID  Words to AVOID:  Uncertainty qualifiers – might, maybe, perhaps  Extremism – everything, all, none, always, never  Vague – some, kind of, somewhat  Hyperbole – life-saving, best of the best

Tip #3 – more word choice  Words to use:  Sources of info – studies reveal, research shows  Realistic views – many, significant, most  Characteristics – primarily, frequently, often  Clear explanations – because, thus, for, due to, since  Relationships – impact, influence, tendency, contribute to  Active verbs – demonstrate, illustrate, identify, present, inform, reveal, show, express, justify, convey, elucidate

Tip #4 – proof read and edit  Read your essay out loud to yourself, slowly  Ask an adult to proof read (but remember, they may not have been taught the structure you need – even so, most of them can still spell or tell you if what you’ve written makes sense!)

Tip #5 - presentation matters  Type  Double space  Put name and period in a footer  Title your essay  Spell correctly – don’t ignore the red line under words!  Punctuate properly

Remember - Basic Essay Structure Introduction – start broad and narrow to claim, use a quality hook (quote, anecdote, startling statistic) – specific topic should not be named until 3 rd or 4 th sentence Argument Body paragraph 1 = Claim 1 – use solid RATETES paragraph format Body paragraph 2 = Claim 2 – use solid RATETES paragraph format Body paragraph 3 = Claim 3 – use solid RATETES paragraph format Conclusion – start with restatement of argument (in different words), sum up the claim in each body paragraph (1 sentence per), end with a call to action One of your body paragraphs should include a counterargument – usually combined with your topic sentence.

Remember RATETES format for body P’s  R + A = (topic sentence) Restate and Answer the question  T = Provide Text evidence (this might include direct quotations or paraphrasing, be sure to cite your source)  E = Explain how the evidence you provided connects to and supports your answer. Use transitions to help clarify the connections.  T #2  E #2  S = Summarize what you have said, restate your topic sentence in different words.