Common ErrorsCBA Expository Essay

Common errors

• Paragraphs/indention• Thesis statements• Repeated words/phrases• Informal/conversational writing•Off topic/did not address the prompt• Fragments and run ons• Homophones• Spelling• Punctuation• capitalization

Paragraphs1. Introduction

(hook, bridge, thesis statement)2. Body paragraph

(topic sentence, reason one with an example, reason two with an example)

3. Conclusion(Closing statement, restatement of the prompt, advice to the

reader or leave the reader with a thought)

Thesis StatementsPrompt: Explain why it is important to do well in school.

Topic + position + reasons

1. Thesis statement: It is important to do well in school because an education can help

build a successful future.

2. It is extremely important to do well in school in order to have the tools necessary to

be successful.

3. It is important to do well in school because it provides the opportunity for personal

and professional growth.

Repeated words

It is important to do well in school because schools helps you to become successful in the future. Without school it is nearly impossible to get a good job. Almost all jobs require that you go to school and not just any school. You may have to go to high school and get a degree, then you would need to go to school to get a college degree. After a college degree you may also need to go to school for specialize in something such as medicine. Medical school is extremely difficult to get into. In order to be a doctor, you must attend school for many many years. Overall, school is really important because school is what keeps us off the streets and into a job that can help support a family.

Informal/conversational writing

So, yeah, school is kinda important cause it can help you in the future. Like if you want to get a job that doesn’t suck, you have to actually like pay attention in class. If you don’t then you’ll end up like a bum in the street with no future and no job. Mcdonald’s won’t even hire you.

Words to avoid• So, well, yeah, like, cause, till• Instead: Therefore, actually, as a result, due to the fact, because, until

• Shoulda, coulda, woulda• Should have, could have, would have

• Gonna, wanna• Going to, want to

• Stuff, things, everyone, always, everything• Avoid being vague—explain yourself!• It is important to do well in school because it can provide you with all kinds

of stuff.• It is important to do well in school because it can provide you with tools

for success, a foundation in learning, and the discipline necessary to succeed in the real world.

Off topic

Prompt: Explain why it is important to do well in school.

School is a place where students go to learn. All children must attend school beginning in kindergarten. According to the state of Texas, children must be enrolled in school from kindergarten to eleventh grade (depending on the age of the student). Some actually choose to drop out before earning their high school diploma. A teenager may not drop out of school until they are eighteen years old.

Fragments and run ons

Fragment: To do well in school.Correction: It is important to go to school.

Fragment: After the game is over.Correction: After the game is over, we should all go to Pizza Hut.

Run ons: In the summertime I like to spend a lot of time outside in the wintertime I prefer to be inside by a warm fire.

Correction: In the summertime I like to spend a lot of time outside; in the wintertime I prefer to be inside by a warm fire.

Capitalization and punctuation

it is important to do well in school because it allows you to reach your future goals for example if you want to be a doctor you must work hard to keep your grades up so that you can get into a good college later on if you want to go to any major university such as texas texas a&m or texas tech it is imperative that you focus on your studies and attend school every day

EDITING 1ST DRAFT• 1. 1ST COLOR HIGHLIGHT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT-DOES IT CONTAIN

ALL OF THE ELEMENTS? IF NOT, RE-WRITE YOUR THESIS STATEMENT• 2. COUNT HOW MANY PARAGRAPHS YOU HAVE? DO YOU HAVE AT

LEAST 4 (INTRO, BODY 1, BODY 2, CONCLUSION)-INDENT ON YOUR PARAGRAPHS• 3. 2ND COLOR HIGHLIGHT YOUR FIRST REASON• 4. 3RD COLOR HIGHLIGHT YOUR SECOND REASON• 5. CIRCLE ALL WORDS THAT ARE REPEATED IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN

ONE WORD BEING REPEATED, USE A DIFFERENT SHAPE.• 6. ON YOUR OWN PAPER, RE-WRITE YOUR ESSAY.

FINAL DRAFT WRITING

• 1. OPEN MICROSOFT OUTLOOK BY USING YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS:

2. USE WORD TO TYPE OUT YOUR ESSAY

3. IT SAVES AUTOMATICALLY

4. SHARE WITH nvillarreal@sharylandisd.org(NICOLE VILLARREAL)

AB012345@students.sharylandisd.org AB1234