Writing Workshop Modern Epic Hero

Ready? Have a pen and highlighters out on your desk. Use the hard copy of your writing check sheet as we go. You should also be making notes to yourself on your draft. If you did not bring a draft, begin hand writing a rough draft during workshop time.

FORMAT MLA format Look at font. Is it 12 point? If you aren’t sure, make a note to check when you sit down to revise. Spacing – the ENTIRE paper should be double spaced. IF you have extra spaces anywhere (i.e. between the heading and title, between the title and the intro, between paragraphs) you need to eliminate them. Are your paragraphs indented ½ inch? Did you put your last name and page number in the top right corner of each page EXCEPT pg 1?

FORMAT Check your header: Your name Teacher’s name Honors English 10, Period # Date

FORMAT TITLE Check your title Capitalize first letter of each word except articles and prepositions DO NOT underline, italicize, or bold your own title Should be interesting, creative, or thematic Should NOT be the title of the assignment or the name of your modern tragic hero

FORMAT- VOICE/STYLE Read your paper out loud, or have a friend read it to you. Listen for the following: Do you hear any awkward phrasing Do you sound like you are talking to a friend, or do you sound academic? Get rid of go slang or texting language. Get rid of the word “YOU”! NOTE: A super easy way to check is to open the document on your computer, then press “Control” and “F” at the same time. It will ask you what you want it to find. Type the word “you,” and it will indicate every time you used that word so you can fix them one by one. Check for repeated words or phrases. If you are using the same words over and over, use a thesaurus to help you find synonyms.

STRUCTURE Get out your highlighters: GREEN Thesis and all topic sentences PINK – in your body paragraphs, highlight Each cited piece of evidence YELLOW – in your body paragraphs, highlight Your explanation of the evidence

STRUCTURE Once you have finished highlighting: In the margins of your paper, number the characteristics of tragic hero you addressed. Remember, you should have at least 5. Go back and look at your PINK for each characteristic. If you have adequate specific EVIDENCE for characteristic #1, then write “EV +” in the margin next to number 1. If not, write, “EV –” so that you remember to add more proof. Repeat for each element

STRUCTURE Remember our discussion of Kanye at the awards show? We said he exhibited hubris (statement) by publically saying Beyonce should have won instead of Taylor Swift (proof) , but some of you wondered how that was an example of hubris. We had to add the EXPLANATION that he was behaving as if his opinion counted more than the judges and that he had a right to publically shame someone. Did you explain your examples? Go back and look at your YELLOW for each characteristic. Draw an arrow from the EXPLANATION of the evidence to the statement/proof. If you have adequately EXPLAINED your evidence for characteristic #1, then put a “+” on the line. If not, write, “–” so that you remember to add justification. Repeat for each element

AT HOME You can finish this check sheet as you revise at home. When you turn in your paper on Wednesday, staple all of these together in order: TOP – rubric (it’s on the back of your directions) FINAL draft of essay. Marked up rough draft. If you did not have your essay today, you still have to complete a rough draft and workshop it. Writing check sheet completed. If you just go through and check things off, I will know you didn’t pay attention to it if those mistakes are still present in your essay. USE IT!!! It is there to help you write more effectively and avoid errors.