1. Formal Writing Notes Analysis and Synthesis Citing Sources Tips for the writing you will do in this class. Reference these notes frequently.

2. The Basics For A Paragraph
Thesis/Topic Sentence (1 sentence, 1st sentence)
Details (4-8 sentences)
Conclusion (1-2 sentences)
The Basics For An Essay
Introduction (1paragraph) with Thesis
Details (3-4 paragraphs)
Conclusion (1 paragraph)

3. Great Thesis/Topic Sentence
First sentence in a single paragraph;
in intro in an essay
Completely answer prompt in one sentence
State title and author of applicable works

4. Stick to the Prompt Be sure to answer the prompt and stay on topic
Cover specific details
Include key terms from our studies
Make an original argument. Don’t just repeat or summarize the source.
Avoid emotional comments. “This is stupid.” “I like the story.”

5. What, How, Why Summary v. Analysis
“What” is summary. This should be minimal.
“How” and “Why” are analysis. This should be your focus. How are literary terms/techniques used? How does this author present the message? Why does the author do this? Why do characters act a certain way? What connections can be made between sources?
Use phrases like:
This illustrates… This is why… This proves… This implies…
This means that… This symbolizes…
This is important because…This connects to…

6. Conclusion Don’t just restate the thesis
State the importance of the information.
How does this connect to something bigger?

7. Stay Formal No 1st or 2nd person: I, you, we, our, me, us
No “I believe,” “I think,”
No slang “Ha ha,” “lolz”

8. Edit! Carefully look over your writing one sentence at a time.
Revising is how you get better at writing!
Look for spelling, fragments, run-ons
Don’t trust Word to do it all for you!

9. Cite Your Quotes!
At the end of your piece of writing, you should have a works cited. Use the full citation here. Easybib.com can help you with the format if .
In the text, follow your quotes with a parenthetical citation. The thing in parentheses is whatever is first in the full citation. (Usually the author’s last name, but sometimes the title if there is no author.) Follow that with a page number if there is one, or a line number in a long poem. (Websites won’t have page numbers.)

10. Example Citation
Beowulf took his best men and “sailed straight to the Danish shore” (Beowulf 124).
Works Cited
Beowulf. Translated by Burton Raffael. Prentice Hall:
The British Tradition.

11. Cite Your Sources! Song:
Artist. “Song Title” Album Title. Record Company. Year. Song.
Movie:
Title. Director. Major Actors. Company. Year. Film.
Poem:
Author. “Poem Title” Bigger Book Title. Publisher. Year. Poem.
Book:
Author. Book Title. City: Publisher, Year. Print.
Website:
Author. “Article Title.” Website Title. Publisher. Date Published. Web. Date Viewed.

12. Titles Put short stories, articles, and short poems in quotes.
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”
“The Pardoner’s Tale”
Put whole works, books, movies in italics or underline.
Beowulf
The Princess Bride