1. TKAM Important Passage Revision Day #1

2. Topic Sentence
Does your paragraph begin with a strong topic sentence that answers the prompt?
Is it too vague or overgeneralized?
Does it answer the ‘So what?’
Does it go beyond plot?
If you answer ‘no’ to any of these, make a note to adjust…

3. Evidence Did you include your important passage?
If not, make a note to insert the passage after your topic sentence.
Is all other evidence present?
Is it cited properly?
“ text text text” (#).

4. Reasoning
Do you explain how your evidence connects to the topic sentence?
Level 1: Do you refer to the passage specifically?
Perhaps you reference a specific word or phrase
Perhaps you simply explain what is going on in the passage itself

5. Reasoning Cont’d.
Level 2: Do you explain how the passage connects to the topic sentence?
Do you answer the question ‘So what?’
If not, make a note to connect--

6. Concluding Sentence
Do you restate the topic sentence to conclude the paragraph? (Same idea, different wording)
If not, write “add concluding sentence”

7. MLA- double space the entire document
Heading:
Your name
Ms. Johnson
Advanced Language Arts 9 Hour ___
14 October 2015
Double spaced
Top left corner –NOT a header!

8. MLA Header: Top right corner- NOT a header!
Insert page number-select top right- type last name only
Example: Johnson 1

9. MLA cont.’d
Is the whole paragraph in Times New Roman, 12 point font? If NO, write “Times New Roman 12” and circle it at the top of the paper. Is it double-spaced? If NO, write “double space” and circle it at the top of the paper.

10. More MLA…
Does the paragraph have a creative title, one that sets it apart from others on the same topic?
If NO, write “Title” and circle it.
If YES, make sure that all major words in the title are capitalized and set in 12 pt TNR font.
Jem’s Kindness and Compassion
The Root of Scout’s Misery
Do NOT punctuate the title (unless you’ve used the novel in the title)
Is the first line of the paragraph indented? If no, write “Tab” and circle it.

11. Grammar time! Is the entire essay written in present tense?
Scan the paragraph for the word “is”—if “is” is followed by a word ending in “ing”, fix it!
Scan the paragraph again. Pay close attention to the verbs and make corrections as needed!
Present tense looks like this--
Says, discusses, feels, proves, dislikes, adores, contemplates

12. More grammar… Is the entire paragraph written in third person?
No: I, Me, You, Us, Our, You, Your, etc
Is the entire paragraph free from contractions?
Examples:
It’s= it is
She’s= she is
They’re= they are