Writing Hints

*Before you begin writing, use a pre-writing technique to find and narrow a topic. A few techniques are free writing, brainstorming, clustering (webbing), Venn diagram, writer's journal, reading with a focus, listening with a focus, etc.

*Choose a topic that you know something about. Make sure you will have enough points, details, and sub-details to support your thesis.

*Write your thesis statement (main idea). This becomes your guiding statement throughout your essay.

*Fill out your graphic organizer. Using a graphic organizer ensures that you are supporting your main idea, and it helps you to remember to use transitions between your ideas.

*Write the introduction. Don't forget the first few lines are used to catch the reader's attention. A few techniques to accomplish this are posing a question, providing a quote, sharing an anecdote, giving a summary, presenting a startling fact or statement, or defining a term. After catching the reader's attention, you should provide a little background information about your topic. Then you need to clearly state the thesis and three or more points of your paper.

*Write the body paragraphs. Remember the points become part of your topic sentences for each paragraph. Write a detail (A1) sentence and a second sentence about that detail (A2). Now write another sentence using a detail (B1) and a second sentence about that detail (B2). Write another sentence using a different detail (C1) and a second sentence about that detail (C2). Then you need to write a clincher sentence that either sums up your three details in this paragraph or one that leads into the next point. Reminders: For examples are good 2nd sentences for above. Your body paragraphs need to be at least eight sentences, but you may add more under each detail. Vary your sentence structure (syntax) and make sure your word choice (diction) is mature and effective. Also, don't forget to use transitions between ideas.

*Write the conclusion. In the conclusion, you need to leave a lasting impression (quote, question, call to action, imagine the future, what if, etc.), and you need to restate your thesis and points differently than in the introduction. In the conclusion, you have the freedom to start or end the paragraph with the lasting impression, whichever is more effective. Also, remember that you may need to use a few techniques or a few of the same techniques. Just because you write one question at the end doesn't mean that it is effective.

A few basic reminders for formal writing:

-Do not use contractions (don't, can't, isn't)

-Do not use slang

-Do not use 1st (I, me, my, we, us) or 2nd person (You, your, yours). The only time you may use you is in the sentences catching the reader's attention and in the sentences leaving a lasting impression.

-Replace overused words with words that are more powerful or effective.

-Maintain your tense throughout.

-Use transitions.

-Vary syntax.

- Proofread for spelling and mechanical errors.

- Proofread for usage errors.

- Do you stay on topic? Make sure your ideas are coherent and on topic.

- Make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb that agree.

- Make sure your pronouns and antecedents agree.

Wrong: Everyone brought their homework to class.

Correct: Everyone brought his/her homework to class. (Everyone is considered singular and takes a singular pronoun.)