Writer's WorkshopHow to Become a More Successful Writer

Essential Questions• How do you recognize usage errors in How do you recognize usage errors in

writing? (0801.1.14)writing? (0801.1.14)• How do you rearrange multi-paragraph How do you rearrange multi-paragraph

work in a logical and coherent order? work in a logical and coherent order? (0801.3.4)(0801.3.4)

• What are some appropriate time-order What are some appropriate time-order or transitional words/phrases to or transitional words/phrases to enhance the flow of writing? (0801.3.5)enhance the flow of writing? (0801.3.5)

• How do you use illustrations, How do you use illustrations, explanations, anecdotes, descriptions, explanations, anecdotes, descriptions, and/or facts to support key ideas? and/or facts to support key ideas? (0801.3.9)(0801.3.9)

• Q&AQ&A

ObjectiveI can write an I can write an introductory paragraph.introductory paragraph.

Expectations• You are on task at all times.You are on task at all times.• All talk is confined to discussion of All talk is confined to discussion of

writing assessment only - giving advice, writing assessment only - giving advice, helping, etc.helping, etc.

• Volume level needs to stay low, Volume level needs to stay low, preferably a whisper or just above a preferably a whisper or just above a whisper.whisper.

• If you cannot meet these expectations, If you cannot meet these expectations, you will return to your assigned seat you will return to your assigned seat and work alone.and work alone.

Partner Up!Find your partner after I assign you. For the remainder of the week, you will sit with your partner as you work after FOA.Trade papers, and read your writing partner's paper. Make mental notes for discussion later.When finished reading, sit quietly or discuss quietly with your partner.In five minutes, we will begin our mini lesson.Again, you will be handing your writing assessment back in. Do not throw it away or leave with it.

Formal Writing Faux PasNo Abbreviations or SymbolsWrite out words such as "and," rather than using &Write out first, second, third, etc.No abbreviations! For example, write sentence, not sent. or paragraph, not para.

ContractionsWrite them out. For example, write cannot rather than can't.

Be SpecificDo not use "thing." If there is a "thing," then name it.Do not use "like." It is much more appropriate to say "such as." Better yet, try not to use it all.Try to avoid the phrase "kind of" as well.

YouAvoid using "you." Replace you with words such as: one, the reader, the author, the audience, etc.

IntroductionsHookFor expository writing, quotes, questions, and anecdotes make great hooks.Background InfoIt's a great practice to mention the author's name and title in your intro.Remember, when speaking about literature, stay on present tense.ThesisWrite a clear and precise thesis. Support your thesis with details throughout your essay.

**This was an expository writing assignment, not a narrative assignment.

Thesis Example

Hook Examples

Intro Example Among the various hardships one faces in a lifetime, none compares to leaving one's home to start a new life. In Abraham Cahan's The Rise of David Levinsky: Book V, the author describes one emigrant's journey across the sea to a new world. Through his use of figurative language, analogies, and allusions, the reader can detect the author's roller coaster of tones throughout the passage.

Two Stars and a WishTrade papers with your partner once again. This time, read only the introduction.

•On the provided post-it note, write two stars and a wish for the introduction.

•A star is something your partner did well.•A wish is something that you feel they could work on.

Today's ObjectiveI can provide evidence to support my thesis statement.QuotationsParaphrasingAvoiding plagiarismCSI

QuotesWhen using someone else's quotes in your writing, you must indicate clearly that the words are not your own.Tell your reader who is speaking. Avoid using he said/she said too often. Change it up.

AddedAdded RemarkedRemarked ExclaimedExclaimed AnnouncedAnnounced

Wrote/writesWrote/writes RepliedReplied StatedStated CommentedCommented

RespondedResponded ArguedArgued ProposedProposed ClaimedClaimed

ParaphrasingInvolves putting a passage into your own words. It must still be attributed to the original source.It is normally shorter than the original material.No quotation marks.If you use any of the original words besides a, an, the, etc., you are quoting.

Avoiding PlagiarismAlways credit the original source. It's not enough to just use quotation marks. Example: The author stated, "..."If you're not directly quoting, summarize from what you remember.Check your writing against the original text.Quotation marks!!!

C.S.I.Claim: Make your claimState: State your evidence—quote, paraphrase, etc.Interpret: Interpret what it means to you

As an emigrant to America, Cahan begins his journey simultaneously anxious, lonely, and doubtful. He demonstrates his anxiety in his interpretation of the sounds and thoughts entering his mind – “ghastly” roars of the engine, maddening “whispers” of the waves, and the schizophrenic thought, “Are you crazy?” Certainly, new experiences have made him fearful, just as they would for me If I entered a foreign land. Adding to Cahan’s “anxiety” is a feeling of “homesickness,” no doubt caused by being crammed tightly into the belly of a Bremen steamer. The sights, smells, and comforts of home are surely absent here. Overwhelmingly, Cahan is full of self-doubt. He alludes to Columbus and his death-defying journey, sharing the same worries that he will never reach land. When surrounded by “an unrelieved, a hopeless monotony of water,” Cahan likely longs for the sweet sight of soil.

ExamplesCSI

ExamplesCSI

ExamplesGood use of words other than "said."

Two Stars and a WishTrade papers with your partner once again. This time, read only the body paragraphs, focusing on providing evidence.

•On the provided post-it note, write two stars and a wish for the body.

•A star is something your partner did well.•A wish is something that you feel they could work on.

Writer's WorkshopHow to Become a More Successful Writer

Essential Questions• How do you recognize usage errors in How do you recognize usage errors in

writing? (0801.1.14)writing? (0801.1.14)• How do you rearrange multi-paragraph How do you rearrange multi-paragraph

work in a logical and coherent order? work in a logical and coherent order? (0801.3.4)(0801.3.4)

• What are some appropriate time-order What are some appropriate time-order or transitional words/phrases to or transitional words/phrases to enhance the flow of writing? (0801.3.5)enhance the flow of writing? (0801.3.5)

• How do you use illustrations, How do you use illustrations, explanations, anecdotes, descriptions, explanations, anecdotes, descriptions, and/or facts to support key ideas? and/or facts to support key ideas? (0801.3.9)(0801.3.9)

• Q&AQ&A

Expectations• You are on task at all times.You are on task at all times.• All talk is confined to discussion of All talk is confined to discussion of

writing assessment only - giving advice, writing assessment only - giving advice, helping, etc.helping, etc.

• Volume level needs to stay low, Volume level needs to stay low, preferably a whisper or just above a preferably a whisper or just above a whisper.whisper.

• If you cannot meet these expectations, If you cannot meet these expectations, you will return to your assigned seat you will return to your assigned seat and work alone.and work alone.

Today's ObjectivesI can pre-write before beginning my essay.I can write at least two body paragraphs that support my thesis statement.

Let's Review

Claim: Make your claimState: State your evidence—quote, paraphrase, etc.Interpret: Interpret what it means to you

What does CSI mean?

The Importance of Pre-Writing

Helps generate ideasProvides a "skeleton" for your essayOnly takes about 10-15 minutesCan be tailored to your learning style—outlines, web charts, pyramids, etc.

Begin pre-writing (in your FOA journal) for your body paragraphs.

When finished, raise your hand. I will check your pre-writing and approve you for beginning your paragraphs. Choose any style of pre-writing you

wish.