Intermediate Composition Study Guide By: Emily Prieto

What is the Correct MLA Format? The paper must be double spaced. Font: Times New Roman Black/ Font Size: 12 The title must be centered. The paper should be double spaced and a header at the top right hand corner of the page.

What is Formal Writing? No Contractions No first or second person No abbreviations You should not end a sentence with a preposition. No Fragments or Run- On’s Avoid passive voice Vary Sentence Structure and Word Choice Spell out numbers. Limit the use of Linking Verbs. Do not begin a sentence with a Conjunction. Don’t use Slang.

What is Informal Writing? Informal writing- is the language spoken by most people every day. Contractions and First Person are acceptable. Sentences are Shorter. You tend to avoid formal punctuations.

The Writing Process Revising Read, Read, and Reread again. Prewriting Brainstorming Ideas Drafting Getting it down on paper. Revising Read, Read, and Reread again. Editing Proofreading Evaluating Peer editing Publishig Presenting it to an Audience

The Paragraph Structure Attention Getter Narrow your focus Topic sentence main point 1 Supporting Sentence Transitional sentence main points 1 and 2 Topic sentence 2 Supporting sentence transition sentence main point 2 and 3 Topic sentence main point 3 Clincher Strong restated Thesis. Summarize what you have just written. The clinching or projecting sentence. Then you are done.

6+1 Traits The 6+1 traits are: Ideas Organization Conventions Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Presentation

Unit Two: The 6+1 Traits of Writing

1. Ideas The heart of the message, the content of the piece of writing, the main theme, together with the details that enrich and develop that theme   Pieces with good Ideas: Are appropriate for the audience and purpose of the piece Have been well thought out (brainstormed) to discover the best possible information to use in the writing (This is where pre-writing comes in) Have a narrow topic that stays focused and clear Give interesting, relevant, accurate, original details that provide the reader with valuable information, not “fluff” Answer any questions the reader has (do not leave reader with questions about your topic) 

2. Organization The internal structure of the piece ,the thread of central meaning, the logical pattern of ideas in the piece  Pieces with good Organization: Have an excellent introduction that draws the reader in Have a thesis statement that clearly and articulately tells the main idea of the whole piece Have body sentences/paragraphs that support the main idea well Have logical, clear sequencing – how you order/organize details in your essay. Organizational options: By time – order details chronologically (in the order that they happen); good for original stories (narratives) or explaining events (news stories) By content – group details together into categories; good for explaining types of something (term paper on types of sharks) By space – start with a big impression, then move gradually to smaller details; good for describing areas (descriptive paragraph on your room) By perspective – organize according to one or both sides of an issue (good for persuasive essay about the harmful effects of smoking) Have controlled pacing – how fast/slow you move through parts of your essay; how much time you spend on important items/less important items (you should elaborate on important details and give brief explanations of those less significant) Have effective transitions that link one idea (or paragraph) to another Have a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader with a sense of resolution and closure

3. Voice Be aware of the audience and purpose The heart and soul, the magic, the wit, along with the feelings and conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words   Writing with good Voice should: Be aware of the audience and purpose Be honest and sincere with the reader (the reader can tell if you are being insincere) Be natural and compelling Have an appropriate tone Show the writer’s enthusiasm and individuality Take risks and experiment with style appropriate to audience and purpose

4. Word Choice The use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader Pieces with good Word Choice: Use words that are accurate (Say what you mean! Find the exact right word!) Use striking language that catches the reader’s eye (Dazzle the reader) Have language that is natural, effective, and appropriate (Don’t use big words just because they are big. Find the appropriate word, big or small, and use it.) Use lively verbs (not many linking verbs!) and specific nouns and modifiers Do not use slang – no “cool,” “hott,” “a lot,” “have a blast,” etc. Do not use clichés (commonly over-used phrases) – no “I ate like there was no tomorrow,” “she was screaming her head off,” “last but not least,” etc.

5. Sentence Fluency The rhythm and flow of the language; how the writing sounds auditory trait: how sentences “play to the ear”   Pieces with good Sentence Fluency: clearly convey meaning with good sentence structure have an easy-to-read flow, rhythm, cadence have varied sentence structure – use a variety of structures (simple, compound, and complex sentences) have varied sentence lengths - short and long sentences flow with one another throughout the piece have varied sentence beginnings – sentences that start the same way every time are boring. Change it up! sound nice, flows well when read aloud The best way to check for good Sentence Fluency: READ YOUR WRITING ALOUD! 

6. Conventions The mechanical correctness of a piece of writing   Pieces with good Conventions include: Correct spelling Correct grammar and usage Correct capitalization Correct punctuation Correct paragraphing – how paragraphs are separated (where they begin/end), how long/short they are Important note: Make sure you do not rely solely on spell check! Always read your final draft after you edit!!!  

+1. Presentation Focuses on the form and layout of your writing This includes MLA format, neatness, and any graphics   Papers with good presentation: Have good readability and are pleasing to the eye Should have formatting appropriate for your audience and purpose (for our purposes – MLA format at all times). This includes headings, font, page numbers, works cited, etc. Should present graphics and visuals clearly (tables, charts, graphic organizers). Visuals should support and clarify the important information or key points in your writing Should have no smudges, wrinkles, coffee stains, or any other marks that might occur on the way from your house to the classroom. Keep you paper safely tucked away until you turn it in.

Types of Writing Persuasive Expository Descriptive Narrative

Descriptive Writing Purpose: To paint a picture with words, to create a vivid image in the readers mind, to make the reader use all of his or her senses. Examples: Journals, Travel Brouchers, menus, stories, and letters. Elements of good Descriptive Writing: Form pictures with words with the reader imagining it. Includes all five senses: Hear, touch, taste, see, and smell. Includes most of the interesting details Show me, Don’t tell me.

Expository Writing Purpose: To inform, explain, and to explore. Examples of Expository writing are: Compare and Contrast Essay Cause and Effect Essay Problem and Solution essay Research papers Resumes News Stories Informative Pieces Instructions and Direction Essays

Persuasive Writing Purpose: To convince your audience of your argument, position, or interpretation of an issue. Examples of Persuasive Writing: Debate Speech Research paper Literary analysis Historical analysis Advertisement News Editorial

Narrative Writing Purpose: To recount a personal experience or original story. Examples of Narrative Writing: Novels, Short Stories, Journals, and Plays Narrative Writing has a Plot, Setting, Characters, Rising action, Climax, Resolution, Flashbacks, foreshadowing, irony, symbolism, and Themes.

Definitions of the Elements of Narrative Writing Setting – where and when the story takes place Characters – participants in the story Plot – events that happen in the story, including: Conflict – struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces in a story Rising Action – where most of the action takes place; conflict begins to develop; events that lead up to the climax Climax – the moment in a story when a conflict reaches its highest point of tension Resolution – wraps up the story, resolves conflict

Things to remember in Narrative writing Create authentic characters with real feelings and interesting things to say Identify where and how the story begins Center the story around an unusual conflict, problem, or question Order the events of the plot to keep the reader wanting to know what will happen next Leave boring details out Include a resolution to the conflict, problem, or question Include a story ending that’s satisfying to the reader