RTL In-Class Essay

Review

(and random cute animal photos)

Common Questions and Concerns:

• What is the prompt asking me to do?• How many body paragraphs do I need?• How do I format quotations correctly?• What do the words “brooch” and “heirloom”

mean?

Answers

• What is the prompt asking me to do?

• How many body paragraphs do I need?

• Let’s ATTACK the prompt together!

• As many as you need to fully answer the prompt, the whole prompt, and nothing but the prompt! (Usually, aim for 3 body paragraphs)

ATTACK THE PROMPT

More Questions…

• How do I format quotations correctly?– Basic formatting rules:

• The page number belongs in parenthesis AFTER THE QUOTE, BEFORE THE PERIOD.

– A quote within a quote• Use single quotation marks around spoken words that appear inside a

quote that you’re using (a quote within a quote).

– Omitting lines you don’t need• Only use the part of the quotation you actually need to prove your

point.• If words or lines are omitted, you must use an elipses

– Numbering the pages• Start at the beginning and number the pages 1, 2, 3,…

Vocabulary Question

• What do the words “brooch” and “heirloom” mean?– Use context clues to uncover the meaning of

unfamiliar words• Look at the other words around it, and try to figure it

out. Be a detective!

HOOK

Background Info.

THESIS

• Check your essay:– Did you include a hook? Background info.?– Does your thesis answer the prompt?

Body Paragraphs

• What is the big idea, or main point of this paragraph?

Body Paragraphs

• Do the concrete details help • support the thesis? How?

Body Paragraphs

• What is the big idea, or main point of this last body paragraph?

Body Paragraphs• Check your essay:– Does each body paragraph have a topic

sentence?– Did you introduce the quote by giving the

speaker and situation (context)?– Did you include quotations (concrete

details)?– Did you explain how the quote proves

your main point by including commentary after the quote?

– Did you add deeper commentary showing your full understanding of the story?

– Did you format your quotes correctly?

Conclusion

Reworded THESIS

End with a bang!

• Check your essay:– Did you reword your main points?– Did you end with a bang?

Rubric

• 4-Point Grading Scale• What’s the most noticeable difference

between a “3” and a “4” essay?• What are the biggest concerns with a “2”

essay?• What score do you need to receive in order

to pass the writing test?

Grade Essay A

Grade Essay A

Grade Essay B

Grade Essay C

Grade Essay C (continued)

Grade Your Essay

• Where does your essay fall on the rubric?– Give your in-class essay a score based on your first

attempt• For homework, make changes to your essay in

a different color– Give your essay a new score, based on the

changes you made • Make sure you label your scores: “First Attempt” and

“Corrected Score”