Writing on Demand

Writing on Demand A study in the genre of standardized test writing.

The Formula • Standardized tests have a very set formula for how the writing is expected to look • Most are looking for the five-paragraph essay • Once you nail the formula- you nail the test!

Five-Paragraph Formula • Introduction Paragraph • First Sentence- Hook (big picture) • You want 3-5 sentences in between that connect your big picture to your thesis. • Last Sentence- Thesis • Must have the 3 points you will be supporting throughout your paper.

The Good • When cancer struck Lance Armstrong, he ventured into a land of the unknown. It was a world of doctors, needles, medicines, and antiseptics [sic]. And he was plunged in head first. Lance was lost in a battle against his disease and against himself, but he never let himself get defeated. His willingness to overcome his war with cancer and become a cycling icon showed that innocent light can be found in even the darkest of tunnels. The monomyth of humanity has the same spirit. Though the loss of innocence archetype has settled its dreary clouds upon the world, many people continue to bring back symbols of the Golden Age. These motivate the worldﾕs inhabitants to work and achieve success. Though humanity has long since ventured into the Age of Experience, reminder of the Golden Age are seen in art, literature, and history that show society why prosperity will never fully vanish.

The Bad • One can easily compare a city bus to a school bus. Both are automobiles, both can hold over ten people, and both have specialized drivers. Buses are one thing, books and history is another. It might be easy to compare non-fiction books to history, but comparing fiction to history a lot harder. But The Chronicles of Narnia is easy to compare to history. One can compare fictional characters to historical characters, and fictional events to real events. In relating The Chronicles of Narnia and world history, the wolf police can be compared to the Cheka in Russia, and the meeting between the White Witch and Aslan can be compared to Hitler and Stalin meeting in Moscow. 

Tips for the perfect Intro • Start by writing your thesis statement. • Make sure that you use strong word choice. • Remember it must have 3 clear points. • Try it….

Your Prompt • Many people volunteer their time to help others, either through non-profit organizations, churches, or other charitable venues. Write an essay convincing readers to find a charity and volunteer their time.

Next • Circle the most interesting words in the thesis you wrote above. (These could be nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) • Choose just one of the words • Write one sentence using that word. • The key here is not to think about your topic or your thesis, but to write a sentence concentrating on only the word you chose. • Write down your grand statement now……

Now.. • You must write 3 -5 sentences that link your grand idea to your thesis statement. • Give it a try… • Let’s read our intro paragraphs

Body Paragraphs • Your body paragraphs follow the topics in the order of your thesis statement. • One paragraph for each main point. • 1st sentence= topic sentence • 2nd sentence= example with explanation • 3rd sentence= example with explanation • 4th sentence= example with explanation • 5th sentence= summarizes your points and transitions into next idea.

Cont. • All your body paragraphs have the same basic structure. • Keep it simple for now- we will add a little style to it later

Transitions • Transitions are a KEY element in your body paragraphs • A transition works to link your ideas together • Last sentence in body paragraph

Conclusion • Transition from your last paragraph to your concluding paragraph by doing one of the following: • 1. Circle the strong verb from your last sentence (if it’s a weak verb, change it). Using the same verb, connect your ideas from the last sentence into your topic. Then, lead into your thesis statement. • 2. Take your overall topic sentence, or main idea from the paragraph before, and tie it into your topic. Then, lead into your thesis statement. • Make sure that you reword your thesis statement, DON’T reuse the same statement.

Conclusion Cont. • Next, you must pull it all together to explain the overall “so what”. This is your concluding idea. Generally, your paper has answered the “how” of your thesis, now you must answer the “why” (this is the hardest part of your paper next to creating the thesis statement). • Good news! The supporting paragraphs not only proved the “how” of your thesis, but they can also prove the “why”. You’re job is to show us how they prove the “why”. So, for each paragraph you wrote, write a sentence that explains how each topic answers your “why”.

Finally • You’re almost there. Now, you must lead us out, like your introduction lead us in. Make the “why” universal, tell us how it relates to everyday life. Feel free to pull it back out to the metaphor you used in the introduction, but you do not have to. This is the bridge out, like the intro has a bridge in. It should be 3 – 4 sentences long.

Homework • Using your introduction paragraph and the rest of your notes complete your essay. • Bring a printed out copy to class with you on Tuesday. • Notice it says bring it with you, not print it when you get to class!

The Narrative Essay A personal experience with a purpose

Important things to know • It tells a story • An experience or event from your past • A recent or ongoing experience or event • Something that happened to someone else, such as a parent or grandparent • Is told in first person • Must have a clear focus • Can include dialogue, but keep it to a minimum and make sure your know how to punctuate it. • Author should come to an important conclusion

Examples • Working with your shoulder partner, read the two examples and write down the following on a separate piece of paper. • How are the introduction paragraphs formed? • What organizational strategies are used throughout the essay? • What do you notice about the diction (word choice) throughout the paragraphs • What role does the conclusion play?

Develop an introduction • The way a person handles disappointment reveals a great deal about what is important to him or her. Tell about a time in your life when you confronted disappointment and how you handled it. Share them with your shoulder partner and discuss what worked and what needs help.

Tell your story • The trick here is to have 3 focused body paragraphs • This means you have to choose which parts of the story are the most important • Use as many concrete and sensory details as you can to develop the story with a limited space • You still need to make sure that you transition between paragraphs • Look back at the sample essays- how did those authors transition their paragraphs? • Write your body paragraphs and share them.

End it with a Bang! • Your reader should take away something from your experience. • Either what you learned • How it impacted you • Relate it back to the prompt • What do the authors of the sample essays do? • How do you know this? • Write your conclusion.

Writing on Demand