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The purpose of writing is to make your reader feel or think something. Good writing (and speaking) that persuades, analyzes, or explains something to your reader must have SPECIFIC EXAMPLES and EXPLAIN how those examples PROVE your point. Good writing that narrates or describes something must SHOW your reader through figurative language, sensory details, and careful word choice that influences the emotions of your reader. All writing should have organization and follow common format and grammar guidelines to help your reader understand your message.
Every essay should have a clear THESIS - an opinion about a fact. Plan and organize your ideas before you begin writing. Think about communicating effectively with your audience as you prove your point.
The ACE formula can ensure students answer a constructed response question effectively. Click here for a video guide.
An INTRODUCTION should interest your reader and tell your thesis. Examples of introductions use a statistic, question, anecdote, quotation, historical background, dialogue, and definition. Remember the point is to interest your reader; therefore, don't ask a boring question or start with something corny.
Each BODY PARAGRAPH should have a clear topic sentence, specific examples for your reader, and thorough explanation as to why those examples prove your point. Until you are comfortable, use the following pattern to ensure you have enough explanation: ACEECEES, wherein
A - Answer the question (include topic, title/author, and answer in one clear sentence)
C - Cite evidence (set up and include a quotation or specific example from the text; include a page number whenever possible)
E - Explain evidence (prove the example answers the question and thoroughly discuss why it matters; make sure to analyze rather than summarize) Use strong analysis verbs to prove something instead of summarize: clarifies, confirms, depicts, demonstrates, describes, determines, develops, displays, establishes exemplifies, explains, illustrates, justifies, portrays, proves, represents, shows, signifies, symbolizes, verifies.
S - Summarize (restate your topic again and explain how it ties to the overall thesis)
Think of your CONCLUSION as a mirror to the introduction. Start by rephrasing your thesis and then review each of your main points. Your last sentence should remind your reader about your entire essay by mentioning a word or phrase from the interesting part of your introduction. Examine examples of creative titles, interesting introductions, and reflective conclusions.
After you have written an essay, it can be helpful to color-code your writing to make sure you have all of the required components. Highlight the thesis of the essay or topic of a paragraph RED. A word or phrase from your thesis should appear in every paragraph - at least five times throughout the essay. Highlight specific examples in each body paragraph BLUE. These might be blended quotations, summaries, or claims from reputable sources. There should be a PARENTHETICAL CITATION for each specific example that refers to a page number or MATCHES entries from a WORKS CITED page. Highlight explanation/analysis/significance statements GREEN. There should a balance of green and blue in each body paragraph. Use analysis verbs (establish, illustrate, depict, confirm, etc.) to ensure that you are not retelling or restating what you have already said. Explain WHY the example provided matters and/or HOW it PROVES the thesis. Highlight the creative title, interesting beginning of the introduction, and reflective connection in the conclusion PURPLE. If you do not see a balance of colors, consider adding or removing details as needed. Remove anything that addresses the fact that you are writing an essay: my teacher, I think, this paragraph, that’s why, in conclusion.
Once ideas are thoroughly explained and logically organized, consider your audience as you revise and edit.
Be Specific by avoiding vague pronouns and generalities.
Avoid phrases that WEAKEN your writing like “I think,” or “my essay.”
Discuss literature in PRESENT TENSE (Character IS not WAS).
Add parenthetical CITATIONS for page numbers or research.
Include ANALYSIS VERBS like demonstrates, illustrates, or shows.
Use conjunctions to add variety and elevate the STYLE of writing. IC; ad, IC. (meanwhile, otherwise, therefore, however). IC, cc IC. (and, but) IC scDC. scDC, IC. (since, when, after, because, if)
EDIT spelling and punctuation - do not use a comma unless you can explain why it is necessary.
Learn more about MLA formatting for formal papers from the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University.
Learn more about MLA formatting for formal papers from the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University.
Descriptive Writing
Descriptive Writing
While expository, analytical, and persuasive writing clearly state a thesis to prove, descriptive writing must subtly convey a universal theme or observation about life. When the purpose of your writing is to make your reader feel something, extra attention must be given to utilize Literary Devices to give EVERY WORD in a PURPOSE: influence mood with SOUND (punctuation, rhyme, rhythm, repetition, euphony, cacophony, alliteration, onomatopoeia, parallelism) and make connections through FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (allusion, symbolism, imagery, pun, oxymoron, personification, hyperbole, metaphor, simile). Utilize sensory details, connotation, vivide verbs, variety, dialogue, and powerful word choice to make every word count.
Build your skills by trying out different Forms of poetry (Poetry Foundation).
MEMOIR
MEMOIR
Utilize a memoir template to begin drafting. At first, it is important to just start writing to get out some of your ideas, but once you have a good draft, you can go back and revise for an engaging beginning.
cartoon by Roz Chast for The New Yorker
Read Memoir Excerpts to examine examples of style choices that you can imitate: Tasting the Sky, Born a Crime, Fish Cheeks, By Any Other Name, When I Was Puerto Rican, Kaffir Boy, Night
Read Memoir Excerpts to examine examples of style choices that you can imitate: Tasting the Sky, Born a Crime, Fish Cheeks, By Any Other Name, When I Was Puerto Rican, Kaffir Boy, Night
Remember, you should NOT tell every single thing that happened – focus on your “why” and help your reader feel something.
Include a balance of actions, thoughts, and dialogue to keep your reader engaged.
Utilize imagery to help your reader see, hear, taste, touch, and smell your experience. SHOW don’t tell.
Create dialogue showing real conversations (start new paragraph for each new speaker)
Replace vague or overused descriptions with vivid verbs and powerful word choice.
Use figurative language (simile, personification, hyperbole) to strengthen your writing.
Add allusion, humor, emotions, and symbolism to connect with your reader.
Consider the sound of your story by utilizing a variety of punctuation, sentence and paragraph lengths.
Examine the beginning of each paragraph to ensure variety (unless intentional parallelism).
Ensure you have a creative title, engaging opening, and satisfying ending that reflects the purpose or theme of the piece.
Edit for spelling and punctuation last to encourage writing without interruption.
Keep writing single-spaced, but wait until the draft is final before formatting.
While some people write memoirs to commemorate an important person or event, others are looking for catharsis to express feelings and begin healing. It is powerful to share your memoirs with others to allow yourself a witness to understand events from your perspective, but it also offers readers an opportunity to feel connected to universal themes we all experience.
The New York Times has a list of suggested places to PUBLISH your writing and share it with others.
The New York Times has a list of suggested places to PUBLISH your writing and share it with others.
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