1. WS 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

2. ATTENTION GRABBER Next two (at least) sentences must be background about Topic/Issue at hand

3. The United States Postal service has reshaped America’s character by providing Americans mail for over three centuries. Despite the system’s deep roots in American history, many Americans have resorted to different means of communications, thus damaging USPS’s business. Competition from electronic mail and other packaging companies have threatened the existence of USPS. The USPS, therefore, should be restructured in order to meet the needs of a changing world in ways that would increase its popularity and prevent it from losing more money.

4. ATTENTION GRABBER Next two (at least) sentences must be background/critical thinking about the author of the passage, the passage itself, or the time period of the passage that is relevant to your argument. (Think SOAPSTONE or Précis)

5. 1. Subject/Topic (Author of the prose, title of prose) 2. Direction (ex: parallelism or allusion) = Strategies 3. Claim (Use a verb i.e. contrasts, defines, juxtaposes, argues, claims, delineates) 4. Universal Idea (prompt question answer) Example: Thomas Paine, in his persuasive essay “The American Crisis No. 1,” urges Americans to become active in the fight for independence using parallelism, figurative language, and rhetorical appeals.

6. Through the use of parallelism, figurative language, and rhetorical appeals, Thomas Paine, in his persuasive essay “The American Crisis No. 1,” compels Americans to proactively support American independence. (The Thesis explains (how– the rhetorical devices) answer the (what–prompt question, purpose) Or The author uses (what- rhetorical device ) to (how – explain the function of the examples).

7. Labels such as nerd and geek ostracize intellectuals in today’s society and reflect the lack of respect in America for intellect. Despite the fact that intelligence is crucial to maintaining power in a world wide technology race, Americans continue to place greater emphasis on social skills and athletic prowess than intelligence. Leonid Fridman criticizes this change in a passionate essay entitled “America Needs It’s Nerds”. Using logos and rhetorical questions, Fridman challenges the derogatory view on those who value academic achievement.

8. Working women and children fought for equal rights throughout most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Ironically, women and children were the ones subject to heinous, unimaginable working conditions from an early age. Reformers, such as Florence Kelley, campaigned for equal conditions for all people in the workplace. While her crusade obtained the support of many, the opposition to equal conditions was immense and difficult to overcome. Speeches became a tool used to rally support for the common cause, especially among women. Kelley’s speech at the National American Woman Suffrage Association’s convention appeals to the sentiments of listener’s and utilizes emotional anecdotes in order to repeal child labor, while simultaneously eliciting a revolutionary response from listeners.

9.  Crevecoeur's diction, and the positive connotations of the words he uses to describe Americans presents his positive, though occasionally paternal and superior, attitude toward Americans and disparaging discernment of Europeans. Topic  Direction  Claim  Universal idea.

10. Many foreigners came to America during the republic’s formative years to explore the life in the new nation. The writings of de Tocqueville and Charles Dickens commented on the new American character and government in the nineteenth century. Michel-Guillaume-Jean de Crevecoeur, who wrote Letters from an American Farmer in 1782, was not alone in his endeavor, though he was one of the first to visit the new United States. His writing generally reflects a positive image of Americans. While taking note of their humble origins and lack of cultural refinement, he praises the resilience of American citizens. Crevecoeur's diction, and the positive connotations of the words he uses to describe Americans presents his positive, though occasionally paternal and superior, attitude toward Americans and disparaging discernment of Europeans.

11. ATTENTION GRABBER Next two (at least) sentences must be background about the essay topic

12. In any group of individuals, whether animals in a park or a group of business executives at a board meeting, there is a socially acceptable way to conduct oneself. To stray from what is expected is to break an unspoken code and violate the rules of the group. In any coalition of people, unspoken rules define not only behavior, but the identity of the group.

13.  1. The Outside Connection  2. The Global Statement  3. Using a Quote  4. An Anecdote  5. The Straw Man Wait? Isn’t there one missing?

14.  DON’T DO THIS - EVER!  Usually the question is not answered  Sometimes it even includes second person:  Ex: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be lonely?  Also, do not use a command: Imagine, being the only one left on earth. Imagine, being the only one left on earth.

15.  Starts with broad statement about a theme/idea/analogy that relates to your thesis  Give example from literature, author’s life, or other history or scientific source that relates to this theme.  Don’t connect to pop culture or anything that seems out of character  Transition into your thesis clearly to avoid confusing the reader.

16. Broad Theme Transition The same can be said of human beings; people mimic each other, taking cues from others actions justifying their own crimes with the sins of others. Culture is, in the end, a set of rules and that game is won by those who know how to play. A locust swarm only truly begins when just one gets hungry. A single specimen will release a pheromone that spreads like fire throughout every locust in a radius of miles and thus the nightmarish, omnivorous swarm begins, devouring everything in sight. Thesis Those who understand the social rules of a group will fit in the best because conformity invariably leads to acceptance and humans are naturally sound animals who will develop systems to regulate each other’s behavior.

17.  Start with a broad statement and then narrow toward your thesis.  Similar setup to Outside Connection.  Very versatile – works in a variety of situations.  Don’t be too broad or vague.  Start with a broad statement and then narrow toward your thesis.  Similar setup to Outside Connection.  Very versatile – works in a variety of situations.  Don’t be too broad or vague.

18. Every society has a set of indefatigable rules in which it governs itself by. To belong, one often has to look, act, or talk a particular way. In order to take part in societal norms and customs, therefore, one must proverbially “adapt or die.” Many great works of literature have explored this need to conform to society in order to belong. However, as works like Jane Eyre, Hamlet and Beowulf show; while unspoken rules may facilitate acceptance into society and increase one’s chances of belonging, nobody can ever completely “fit in.” Broad Narrowing More Narrowing More Narrowing Thesis

19.  Always include a lead-in (TLQ) into the quote as well as cite the speaker.  Avoid quoting the passage(s) that the essay will be about – quote a famous speaker or another novel.  Always include a lead-in (TLQ) into the quote as well as cite the speaker.  Avoid quoting the passage(s) that the essay will be about – quote a famous speaker or another novel.

20. The winsome Transcendentalist, Emerson once bemused, “To be great is to be misunderstood.” Lead into Quote Lead into Quote Transition Thesis Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter seems to meet both criteria. In a Puritan age, when worshipping idols could be punishable by death, the very minister who preaches the same convictions is idolized himself by the community. At the end of the novel, Hawthorne illustrates both the irony of Dimmesdale’s fandom and the hypocrisy in the society of which he is apart. This irony is revealed through juxtaposition and particular choices of diction.

21.  A brief story that relates to your thesis, no more than a few sentences.  No first person!!!!!!!  A brief story that relates to your thesis, no more than a few sentences.  No first person!!!!!!!

22. In American culture and society today, people are categorized in different groups based on their social status or ethnic background. In a high school setting, for example, students befriend other students based on their similarities, whether they are nerds or athletes. These students are attracted to each other as a result of some invisible, unspoken force. Anecdote Thesis One, therefore, only truly belongs to a group once they understand the unspoken rules that exists within that group.

23. In the end, it will not be the basketball player or the wrestler that allows America to maintain its position of technological and scholarly achievement in the world, but, as Fridman tells us, the “nerd”. Indeed, the great society which allows for the tremendous fame of athletes and other pop-culture icons to be perpetuated is built upon the backs of nerds. The term “geek” in itself is derogatory as we now equate a drive and determination to learn with “an outcast street-performer.” As Fridman articulates, “enough is enough.” Fridman develops his argument for the return of the geek and the end of American anti- intellectual sentiment through classical appeals and comparisons.

24. Begin with an idea that is the opposite of your true position. Then prove it wrong.  Be sure to clearly transition from the false idea to your true position! Begin with an idea that is the opposite of your true position. Then prove it wrong.  Be sure to clearly transition from the false idea to your true position!

25. People hear a great deal about divorce’s disastrous impact on children. They are bombarded with advice on how to make divorce as painless as possible for their offspring, and numerous heartbreaking stories about the confused, grieving children of divorced parents abound. Little attention has been paid, however, to a different effect that divorce may have on young people, for children of divorced parents may become skilled manipulators, playing off one parent against the other, worsening an already painful situation…… FalseToTrueFalseToTrue FalseFalse What other type of AP essay might this work well for????

28.  Restate your argument in different words.  Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook.  Make predictions about the topic.  Restate your argument in different words.  Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook.  Make predictions about the topic. Then…Then…

29.  Restate thesis in different words.  Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook.  Make predictions about the topic.  Include a further insight, a larger universal truth or connection  Last sentence should be insightful and definitely not repetitive  Restate thesis in different words.  Reflect upon or extend what was already stated in the body of the essay or the hook.  Make predictions about the topic.  Include a further insight, a larger universal truth or connection  Last sentence should be insightful and definitely not repetitive

30. The last sentence may link back to the hook in your opening paragraph. Imagine this is your VEHICLE. Try to exit the same car in which you started your journey.

31. THINK about what you WRITE!  That means if it sounds lame, don’t write it!  Does what you wrote add value?  Does it relate directly back to the thesis?  Does it relate to the topic sentence?  Is the topic sentence arguable? THINK about what you WRITE!  That means if it sounds lame, don’t write it!  Does what you wrote add value?  Does it relate directly back to the thesis?  Does it relate to the topic sentence?  Is the topic sentence arguable?

32.  Too much of ANYTHING gets BORING.  That means the same word, phrasing, sentence starters, transition, lead-in strategy, or anything else for that matter.  Variety is the key. › Awareness of your diction › Awareness of syntax – don’t write choppy sentences but don’t always use long, complex sentences; variety in sentence length can be used deliberately for impact  Too much of ANYTHING gets BORING.  That means the same word, phrasing, sentence starters, transition, lead-in strategy, or anything else for that matter.  Variety is the key. › Awareness of your diction › Awareness of syntax – don’t write choppy sentences but don’t always use long, complex sentences; variety in sentence length can be used deliberately for impact

33. 1. Huck Finn Intro Paragraphs. Woo-Hoo! 2. Begin Writing….Right Now! 1. Huck Finn Intro Paragraphs. Woo-Hoo! 2. Begin Writing….Right Now!