Good Writing

One way to measure good writing is by the widely accepted "6 traits."

I'm sure that you've heard of this, but here's a quick review:

1) Ideas and Content: How creative are your ideas? How interesting is your topic?

2) Organization: Is your essay well organized? Is the thesis in the first paragraph? Do your supporting paragraphs follow? Is your conclusion in your final paragraph?

3) Voice: Do you care about what you are writing? Can your audience sense passion in your writing or "voice?"

4) Sentence Fluency: Do your sentences flow together?

5) Conventions: Are you using proper grammar?

6) Word Choice: Is your vocabulary appropriate for your grade level?

We will begin the year writing PIE paragraphs. After we are comfortable with these paragraphs, we will learn to develop introductory and conclusion paragraphs.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PIE WRITING:

Let's talk about writing, baby...let's talk about you and me...okay, But, here's the reality. No matter WHAT you do with your life you are going to have to read and write...and the better you are at these important skills, the more doors will open for you. Some of us have to work harder at these skills--and that's ok. But remember--like any skill--you can only develop it and improve it if you practice. So, writing takes practice. This is important to remember--do not grow frustrated easily--as improving any skill--in this instance writing--takes time, effort,and practice.

Writing can be formulaic and there is a specific process to it. Our writing is divided into three sections: The Introduction, the Body Paragraphs, and the Conclusion.

The Introduction: The introduction to your paper is extremely important. There are four sections to every successful introduction: Facts that inform the reader, a strong thesis statement, arguments that support your strong thesis statement (place them in order of how you think that they are important), and a unifying SINGLE sentence that ties the first paragraph together. This is the order with which your first paragraph must be organized.

Example:

Roberto Clemente played right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-1972. Clemente came from the island of Puerto Rico and played his entire eighteen year career for the Pirates. Clemente would become so honored and respected that the bridge that fans walk across to PNC Park to see the Pirates play is called 'Roberto Clemente Bridge' and the sports complex in Puerto Rico's capital of San Juan is called 'Roberto Clemente Coliseum.' ( THIS HAS ALL BEEN FACT). Roberto Clemente is the true and pure definition of a hero, a man who has lived his life for others using his supreme athletic ability to change the world. (THESIS). Clemente was a terrific baseball player who gathered many awards in his playing career. He was a dedicated husband and father and proud Latino who did not stray from his commitment to his family and his heritage. Finally, Clemente died in the most noble of ways serving people. (THESE ARE SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS). Clemente lived a life to be admired and respected and his influence will be long left. (FINAL, UNIFYING SENTENCE).

The Body Paragraphs: All body paragraphs MUST be composed according to the PIE style.

P=POINT. I=ILLUSTRATION. E=EXPLANATION.

P: Point, This is the FIRST sentence in a body paragraph. You might be familiar with it being referred to as a Topic Sentence. It is one of your SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS and will be what THAT Body Paragraph will discuss.

I= Illustration. These are the sentences that follow your Point. They are multiple sentences. They are quotes, statistics, pieces of literature that support what you are arguing, etc.

E= Explanation. This is a SINGLE sentence at the end of the paragraph that ties together, explains to your audience what you are saying.

Example:

Roberto Clemente was an incredible baseball player who was admired and respected for his hitting, defense, and overall skill (P). Clemente was a fifteen time National League All Star and received the Gold Glove--the award for the best defensive player at his position--twelve times. Clemente was named the National League MVP and World Series MVP in 1966. Clemente held the highest batting average in the National League four times and in 1972 he collected his 3,000th career hit--a testimony to his excellence and longevity and something that only twenty eight players have ever done. Clemente was said by legend Mickey Mantle to have had "the quickest feet I've ever seen" and that "nobody ran on Roberto. He threw a baseball like a laser." Clemente was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 (I). Clemente's combination of hitting, speed, and defense showed him to be a "five tool player" who could beat another team in a variety of ways. (E).

The Conclusion: The Conclusion is your final paragraph. A lot of the conclusion is restating the thesis statement and the arguments you have already presented. There are three parts to a successful conclusion: Restating the thesis, restating your arguments, and a "slam the door" (a final sentence that leaves your audience with an impressive argument/statement.

Example:

Roberto Clemente lived an epic life as a man who left the world far better than he found it. (RESTATED THESIS). Clemente was an admired and respected baseball player. He was a dedicated husband, father, and proud Latino who was extremely mindful of the promises he made in his personal life and he never forgot his humble beginnings and heritage. Most importantly, Clemente died serving others (REPEAT ARGUMENTS). Certainly, if more people lived their lives as full of service and as humbly as Clemente did the world would be a far better place. (SLAM THE DOOR).

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

** Your audience is ignorant (you must inform) and argumentative (you must convince).

** Avoid: Contractions (don't, can't, won't), limit pronouns (words that take the place of nouns--we, they, he, she, us), do not use "I" and please do not use semi-colons.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------.