The Writing Process How we love it so!!!!

3 Key Ingredients to Writing What are the three parts of the writing process? INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION

Introduction establishes the tone of the essay. It gives a preview of what will be discussed in the essay. Begin with an attention getter Broadly discuss main points Clarify what essay will be about Give background information Define important terms

What is a thesis? Thesis- Comment, position or point you will be arguing. This is usually the last sentence in your introduction to help to transition to the body of the essay. It needs to be: Clear Logical Make a clear argument Explore an intellectual question

What comes next? Body Paragraphs: each paragraph should be planned individually and cover a different main point that supports the thesis.

What should be in the body paragraphs? Topic Sentence It provides an idea that supports the thesis and introduces the main idea of the paragraph Supporting Details relates to the topic of the paragraph, gives specific examples to support topic, descriptive and interesting. Closing Sentence needs to restate the main idea and create a smooth transition to the next paragraph.

And what is last?? Conclusion reemphasizes main ideas; main points and leaves the reader with a question to think about. A thought to ponder… hmm…

What must it include? Summary of main points Thesis stated in different words Leave the reader with something to think about

Grammar and proofreading are important…

Where are the errors?

Commas are important

Sometimes very important…

All punctuation is important

Proofreading is important too…

The most common writing mistakes… Fragments- incomplete sentences Incorrect: Ms. Cooke was late. Because she could not find her lesson plans. Correct: Ms. Cooke was late because she could not find her lesson plans.

2. Comma Splice- joining two complete sentences with just a comma. Incorrect: Ms. Cooke reviewed for the test in class, several of us went to the library afterwards to study. Correct: Ms. Cooke reviewed for the test in class, and several of us went to the library afterwards to study. Ms. Cooke reviewed for the test in class; several of us went to the library afterwards to study. Ms. Cooke reviewed for the test in class.  Several of us went to the library afterwards to study. 

Fused sentences- (run-on) when two complete sentences are put together as if they are one without any punctuation. Incorrect: Many teenagers text in class they do not care that it makes Ms. Cooke’s head explode off her shoulders. Correct: Many teenagers text in class. They do not care that it makes Ms. Cooke’s head explode off her shoulders. Many teenagers text in class, and they do not care that it makes Ms. Cooke’s head explode off her shoulders.

Agreement- when the subject and verb do not agree in number (singular and plural) or number (first, second or third). Incorrect: Mrs. Duarte is sitting in their desk. (student is singular, their is plural) Correct: Mrs. Duarte is sitting in her desk.

Pronoun errors- when the wrong pronoun case is used or the antecedent is unclear. Incorrect: Ms. Cooke and Mrs. Duarte found an old shoe under her desk. Correct: Ms. Cooke and Mrs. Duarte found an old shoe under Mrs. Duarte’s desk.