Honors and English 9

Honors and English 9

Writing Handbook

Table of Contents

1. Writing: The Modes of Discourse
2. Writing Basics and Tips
3. MLA Guidelines
4. Formatting
5. Quotations
6. Works Cited
7. Response-to-LiteratureWriting

Format

Writing: The Modes of Discourse

The Modes of Discourse of Rhetoric/Writing - Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation - are the mostcommon paper assignments you will write while attending Visitation School as well as various high schools.

DEFINITIONS[1]

Exposition

• The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, the analysis of cause and effect, etc.
• A common method for writing an expository essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of:
• an introductory paragraph
• three evidentiary body paragraphs
• a conclusion

Description

• The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe an object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc. This genre encourages the student’s ability to create a written account of a particular experience. What is more, this genre allows for a great deal of artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).

Narration

• When writing a narrative essay, one might think of it as telling a story. These essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal—allowing the student to express himself/herself in a creative and, quite often, moving way.

Argumentative

• The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic, collect, generate, and evaluate evidence, and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.
• Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that s/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.

Writing Basics and Tips: 5 Steps of the Writing Process

Step /

Description

/

Strategies

Prewriting / An activity that causes the writer to think about the subject. The writer organizes his thoughts before he begins to write. / Drawing
Talking
Brainstorming
Graphic organizers
Research
Listing
Field Trips
Drafting / The process of putting ideas down on paper. The focus is on content not mechanics / Taking notes,
Organizing thoughts
into paragraphs,
Writing a first draft
Revising / The process of refining the piece of writing. The writer adds to a writing piece. The writer reorganizes a piece of writing. The writer shares his story and gets input from peers or teacher. / Peer editing
Conferencing
Share Chair or Author’s Chair
Editing / Mechanical, grammatical and spelling errors are fixed in the writing piece. / Checklists
Rubrics
Editing Checklists
Proofreading

Publishing

/ The writing piece is prepared in final form, including illustrations. The writer shares his writing with others. / Reading aloud
Reading to a group
Displaying in the room
Printing the books
Web publishing

Writing Basics and Tips: Dos of Essay Writing

Do …

• Start your sentences differently most of the time.
• Write in the PRESENT TENSE
• PROOFREAD thoroughly!!!
• Check for
• Misspelled words
• Organization / Flow
• Punctuation
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Shifts in tense or person
• Use transitions, adverbs, appositives, and adjectives to add variety.
• Make sure all of your intro and concluding paragraphs are complete, 3-5 sentences long, and indented.

• Make sure all of your body paragraphs are complete, 8-11 sentences long, and indented.

• Double check your MLA format.

Writing Basics and Tips: Don’ts of Essay Writing

Don’t …

• Use First person (I)
• Summarize
• Use extraordinarily long quotes
• Use quotes without explaining them
• Overuse words like you, just, got, now, like, to, of,so, this, that, or and.
• Use contractions
• Use terms like
• The topic of this essay is
• The reason for this is
• I am going to …
• I believe/think/feel …

Writing Basics and Tips: Transitional Words and Phrases

These pages only provide a list of transitional words; be certain you understand their meanings before you use them. Often, there exists a slight, but significant, difference between two apparently similar words. Also remember that while transitions describe relationships between ideas, they do not automatically create relationships between ideas for your reader. Use transitions with enough context in a sentence or paragraph to make the relationships clear.

EXAMPLES OF TRANSITIONS

Illustration / Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.
Contrast / On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.
Addition / In addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.
Time / After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.
Space / At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.
Concession / Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course.
Similarity Of Comparison / Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.
Emphasis / Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.
Details / Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.
Examples / For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.
Consequence/Result / So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.
Summary / Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.
Suggestion / For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.

Writing Basics and Tips: Tone or the Author’s Attitude Words

1.accusatory- charging of wrong doing

2.apathetic- indifferent due to lack of energy or concern

3.awe- solemn wonder

4.bitter- exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief

5.cynical- questions the basic sincerity and goodness of people

6.condescension; condescending - a feeling of superiority

7.callous- unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others

8.contemplative- studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue

9.critical- finding fault

10.choleric- hot-tempered, easily angered

11.contemptuous- showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect

12.caustic- intense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting

13.conventional- lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality

14.disdainful- scornful

15.didactic- author attempts to educate or instruct the reader

16.derisive - ridiculing, mocking

17.earnest - intense, a sincere state of mind

18.erudite - learned, polished, scholarly

19.fanciful - using the imagination

20.forthright- directly frank without hesitation

21.gloomy - darkness, sadness, rejection

22.haughty - proud and vain to the point of arrogance

23.indignant-marked by anger aroused by injustice

24.intimate-very familiar

25.judgmental-authoritative and often having critical opinions

26.jovial-happy

27.lyrical-expressing a poet’s inner feelings; emotional; full of images; song-like

28.matter-of-fact-accepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional

29.mocking-treating with contempt or ridicule

30.morose-gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent

31.malicious-purposely hurtful

32.objective-an unbiased view-able to leave personal judgments aside

33.optimistic-hopeful, cheerful

34.obsequious-polite and obedient in order to gain something

35.patronizing-air of condescension

36.pessimistic-seeing the worst side of things; no hope

37.quizzical-odd, eccentric, amusing

38.ribald-offensive in speech or gesture

39.reverent-treating a subject with honor and respect

40.ridiculing-slightly contemptuous banter; making fun of

41.reflective-illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions

42.sarcastic-sneering, caustic

43.sardonic-scornfully and bitterly sarcastic

44.satiric-ridiculing to show weakness in order to make a point, teach

45.sincere-without deceit or pretense; genuine

46.solemn-deeply earnest, tending toward sad reflection

47.sanguineous-optimistic, cheerful

48.whimsical-odd, strange, fantastic; fun

Writing Basics and Tips: Words to Use Instead of “says”

· writes
· observes
· notes
· remarks
· adds
· declares
· claims
· states
· comments
· thinks
· portrays
· depicts
· conveys
· implies
· reveals
.demonstrates
· exemplifies

- illustrates
· explains

· informs
· elucidates
· clarifies
· paints

· alleges
· affirms
· asserts
· argues
· repudiates
· refutes
· dispels
· reverts
· embodies
· inspires
· regales
· empowers
· constrains
· constructs
· creates
· transcends
· pervades
· foreshadows
· predicts
· suggests
· hints

· sustains
· manipulates
· enhances
· discerns
· masters
· meanders
· transforms
· solidifies

Thou Shall Never Use in My Essay Writing List

______

Worst Offenders
a lot (or misspelled alot) awesome
bad
basically
due to
etc.
ever since
get, got, getting, gotten
good
great
you (except in giving instructions) kind of
ok
pretty (as in, “She’s pretty smart”) really
stuff
thing
today’s society
to me
well (as in “well, in conclusion…”) / Informal Literary Analysis
I believe
I think
I feel
in my opinion
I, me, my, mine, ours, we
Speculative Words
would, would have should, should have could, could have if
may
maybe
might
perhaps
Additional Words and Phrases
and so on
and then
cause or ‘cuz (for because) definitely
essentially
fine
fully
fun
generally
hopefully
in conclusion
This essay is about… mainly
majorly
nice
nothing
sort of
something
very

What Is MLA Style?

All fields of research agree on the need to document scholarly borrowings, but documentation conventions vary because of the different needs of scholarly disciplines. Modern Language Association (MLA) style for documentation is widely used in the humanities, especially in writing on language and literature. Generally simpler and more concise than other styles, MLA style features brief parenthetical citations in the text keyed to an alphabetical list of works cited that appears at the end of the work.

MLA style has been widely adopted by schools, academic departments, and instructors for over half a century. The association's guidelines are also used by over 1,100 scholarly and literary journals, newsletters, and magazines and by many university and commercial presses. The MLA's guidelines are followed throughout North America and in Brazil, China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and other countries around the world.[2]

What Is MLA Formatting?

Here are the guidelines for MLA formatting for all assignments and papers for the 6th, 7th and 8th grades:[3]

1. Choose a standard, easily readable font (i.e. Times Roman or Century Schoolbook) and type size (no larger than 12 point).
2. Except for page numbers, leave margins of one inch at the top and bottom and on both sides of the text.
3. Indent the first word of a paragraph one-half inch (or five spaces) from the left margin.
4. Indent long quotations one inch (ten spaces) from the left margin.
5. The entire paper must be double-spaced throughout, including the heading, quotations, notes, and the list of works cited.
6. Leave one space after each period or other concluding punctuation mark.
7. The heading for all papers is as follows in the upper left-hand corner:
8. Your Name
9. Your Teacher’s Name
10. The Subject and Grade Level
11. The Due Date (Day/Month/Year)

1. Since there is no title page with MLA, the title is as follows:
2. Center the title.
3. Do not bold or underline your title.
4. Do not put your title in quotation marks.
5. Do not type it in all capital letters.
6. Follow the rules for capitalization:
7. Capitalize the first word, the last word and all principal words, including those that follow hyphens in compound terms.
8. Therefore, capitalize the following parts of speech:

1. Nouns
2. Pronouns
3. Verbs
4. Adjectives
5. Adverbs
6. Subordinating conjunctions

1. Number all pages consecutively throughout the paper in the upper right-hand corner with your last name and page number.

Sample MLA Page

Smith 1

Madison Smith

Mrs. Jones

Literature 8

4th September 2012

Atticus Finch: The Definition of Courage and Compassion

Dorothy Thompson, an influential American journalist, remarks that “courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow” (1). Though To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is not yet written when Thompson makes this beautiful commentary, she is foretelling the greatest attribute of one of the most righteous characters of the literary world. Atticus Finch, the proud father of Jem and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch and the most hard-working lawyer of Maycomb, believes that everyone, regardless of their skin color, is equal and deserves to be treated with respect. He teaches his children to fight for their beliefs even when it is them against the world, and to treat everyone the way they would want to be treated. Hence, of all the characters, Atticus defines what it is to be the most courageous and compassionate at a time when courage, compassion and a difference of opinion are frowned upon by the rest of society.

Citing Direct Quotations in MLA Style

First, decide whether what you are quoting constitutes a long quotation (more than four typed lines of text) or a short quotation (no more than four typed lines of text).[4]

Long Quotations

1. Generally, use a colon to introduce a long quotation.
2. Indent the entire quotation ten spaces from the left margin.
3. Double space the quotation.
4. Do not set the quotation off with quotation marks.
5. Place the end punctuation before the parenthetical citation.
6. Author’s last name and the page number(s) on which the quotation can be found in the original source must be included.

Example 1 - Prose

At the conclusion of Lord of the Flies, Ralph and the other boys realize the horror of their actions:

The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first

time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole

body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and

infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the

middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end

innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend

called Piggy. (248)

Example 2 – Poetry

Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room” is rich in evocative detail:

It was winter. It got dark

early. The waiting room

was full of grown-up people,

arctics and overcoats,

lamps and magazines. (6-10)

Short Quotations

1. Enclose the quotation inside quotation marks.
2. Do not indent the quotation; simply incorporate it into the text of your paper.
3. Place the end punctuation after the parenthetical citation.
4. Author’s last name and the page number(s) on which the quotation can be found in the original source must be included, although there are two possible ways in which to include such necessary information.

Example 1 - Prose

“Traitor! … But that you, Marinelli, who so often assured me of your most devoted friendship … could conceal from me so disloyally and so fiendishly up to this moment this danger which threatened my love” (Lessing 14).

Example 2 - Prose

Gotthold E. Lessing writes, “Traitor! … But that you, Marinelli, who so often assured me of your most devoted friendship … could conceal from me so disloyally and so fiendishly up to this moment this danger which threatened my love” (14).

Example 3 – Poetry (1 line)

Bradstreet frames the poem with a sense of morality: “All things within this fading world hath end” (1).

Example 4 – Poetry (2 or more lines)

Reflecting on the “incident” in Baltimore, Cullen concludes, “Of all the things that happened there / That’s all that I remember” (11-12).

Citing Paraphrased or Summarized Information in MLA Style

Any, idea, fact, statistic, or observation you borrowed from a source – even if stated in your own words – must be documented to give the original source credit. Be certain that your summary or paraphrase does not constitute plagiarism.[5]

1.Do not set off summarized or paraphrased information with quotation marks.

2.Do not indent summarized or paraphrased information; simply incorporate the information into the text of your paper.

3.Place end punctuation after the parenthetical citation.

4.Author’s last name and the page number(s) indicating where the information was derived must be included.