L E T ‘ S W R I T EL E T ‘ S W R I T Ewith a focus on MLA

Mrs. Martin

Paragraphs Paragraphs

• consists of a group of sentences that consists of a group of sentences that share a common topicshare a common topic

• must be 5 sentencesmust be 5 sentences

• each new paragraph gets indentedeach new paragraph gets indented

• each paragraph develops ONE ideaeach paragraph develops ONE idea

ParagraphsParagraphs

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence

• first sentence in each paragraphfirst sentence in each paragraph

• tells exactly what the paragraph will tells exactly what the paragraph will be aboutbe about

• Makes a statement/opinionMakes a statement/opinion

RestatementRestatement

• sentence after the topic sentencesentence after the topic sentence

• answers the who, what, why, how, answers the who, what, why, how, whenwhen

• Longer, detailed topic sentenceLonger, detailed topic sentence

Examples or Quotes Examples or Quotes

• after the restatementafter the restatement

• Explains your topicExplains your topic

• Show your pointsShow your points

• What you know about the topicWhat you know about the topic

i. give a reason/examplei. give a reason/example

ii. use a quoteii. use a quote

EnderEnder

• after the exampleafter the example

• ties this paragraph with the nextties this paragraph with the next

Example ParagraphExample ParagraphThe ocean is beautiful.

The ocean is beautiful because of the clear blue color.

In Maryland, the ocean is so clear you can see all the multi-colored fish swimming around.

Henry Beston believes that one of the greatest sounds is “the sound of outer ocean on a beach” (Beston 32). There are many things that are also beautiful like the ocean, such as butterflies.

Write your own paragraph Write your own paragraph herehere

The Order of An EssayThe Order of An Essay

1. Introduction Paragraph1. Introduction Paragraph

2. Body (22. Body (2ndnd Paragraph) Paragraph)

3. Body (33. Body (3rdrd Paragraph) Paragraph)

4. Body (44. Body (4thth Paragraph) Paragraph)

5.Conclusion (55.Conclusion (5thth Paragraph) Paragraph)

IntroductionIntroduction• the first paragraph of an essaythe first paragraph of an essay• always includes:always includes:

a. topic sentencea. topic sentence-ask a question-ask a question-state a fact-state a fact

b. central ideab. central idea-your opinion/what you are going -your opinion/what you are going

to to showshowc. thesisc. thesis

-reasons that support your opinion-reasons that support your opinion-your essay will follow that order-your essay will follow that order

d. enderd. ender

Introduction ParagraphIntroduction Paragraph

There are many great books worth taking the time to read.

The book, The Pearl, written by John Steinbeck was an excellent book.

It is an excellent book because the characters were interesting, there is a lot of action, and the story never becomes boring.

Kino, the main character, suffers many losses throughout the book.

Introduction ParagraphIntroduction ParagraphComputers have affected many people’s Computers have affected many people’s

lives in a convenient way.lives in a convenient way.

Computers are very useful inventions.Computers are very useful inventions.

They make school work easier, finding They make school work easier, finding information faster, and help people keep information faster, and help people keep in touch with their family.in touch with their family.

Computers are a great benefit to society. Computers are a great benefit to society.

Write your own intro Write your own intro paragraphparagraph

• Topic:Topic:

• Central Idea:Central Idea:

• Reason 1:Reason 1:

• Reason 2:Reason 2:

• Reason 3:Reason 3:

• Write paragraph here:Write paragraph here:

BodyBody

• follow your thesisfollow your thesis

• remember the order of paragraphsremember the order of paragraphs

• will consist of at least three complete will consist of at least three complete paragraphsparagraphs

-consists of paragraphs 2,3, 4

Paragraph 2Paragraph 2

• focuses on focuses on reason onereason one in your thesis in your thesis

-always includes:-always includes:

a. topic sentencea. topic sentenceb. restatementb. restatement

c. example/quotec. example/quote

d. example/quoted. example/quote

e. endere. ender

Paragraph 3Paragraph 3

• focuses on focuses on reason tworeason two in your thesis in your thesis

-always includes-always includes

a. topic sentencea. topic sentence

b. restatementb. restatement

c. example/quotec. example/quote

d. example/quoted. example/quote

e. endere. ender

Paragraph 4Paragraph 4

• focuses on focuses on reason threereason three in your thesis in your thesis

-always includes:-always includes:

a. topic sentencea. topic sentence

b. restatementb. restatement

c. example/quotec. example/quote

d. example/quoted. example/quote

e. endere. ender

ConclusionConclusion

• The fifth (last) paragraph in an essayThe fifth (last) paragraph in an essay

• Never begin with In conclusionNever begin with In conclusion

• must be 5 sentencesmust be 5 sentences

• Should restate the main points of your Should restate the main points of your essayessay

• rewrite your topic sentencesrewrite your topic sentences

• Tie everything togetherTie everything together

• Include text to self/society/textInclude text to self/society/text

An Excellent Essay Uses: An Excellent Essay Uses:

FocusFocusContentContentOrganizationOrganizationStyleStyleConventionsConventions

FocusFocus

-essay writes about only ONE topic which is your -essay writes about only ONE topic which is your central ideacentral idea

ContentContent

-the presence of ideas developed through -the presence of ideas developed through examples and reasonsexamples and reasons

-use the reasons stated in your thesis-use the reasons stated in your thesis-use examples/quotes/research-use examples/quotes/research-Show me/convince me you are right-Show me/convince me you are right

OrganizationOrganization-the clear order of an essay

Introduction

BodyParagraph 2

BodyParagraph 3

Body Paragraph 4

Conclusion

StyleStyle

-your own unique writing voice-your own unique writing voice-use a variety of words-use a variety of words-use similes and metaphors to describe something-use similes and metaphors to describe something-do not repeat yourself-do not repeat yourself-do not write like you talk or text or tweet-do not write like you talk or text or tweet

ConventionsConventions

• 1. Do not use 1. Do not use I I in an essayin an essay

I like MTV.I like MTV.MTV is good.MTV is good.

I love pizza.I love pizza.Pizza tastes good.Pizza tastes good.

I think school I think school uniforms uniforms are a dumb are a dumb idea.idea.

School uniforms are School uniforms are a a dumb idea.dumb idea.

• 2. Do not use 2. Do not use youyou in an in an essayessay

Have you ever read Have you ever read such such a wonderful book?a wonderful book?

There has never There has never been been such a wonderful such a wonderful

book as this one. book as this one.

Have you ever Have you ever experienced love?experienced love?

Many people have Many people have experienced love.experienced love.

-grammar, spelling, and mechanics are all correct

ConventionsConventions

• 3. Do not use 3. Do not use in this in this essayessay in an essay in an essay

This essay will This essay will discuss why discuss why summer is the best summer is the best season of all.season of all.

Summer is the best Summer is the best season.season.

• 4. Do not use 4. Do not use in in conclusionconclusion in an in an essayessay

In conclusion, In conclusion, winter is the best winter is the best season.season.

Winter is the best Winter is the best season.season.

ConventionsConventionsTHERE,THEIR, THEY’RETHERE,THEIR, THEY’RE

• 5. Know the difference 5. Know the difference between between their, there, their, there, they'rethey're

their-Is that their book on their-Is that their book on the floor?the floor?

a. a. possessive/ownershippossessive/ownership

there-Are you going over there-Are you going over there?there?

a. shows locationa. shows location

they're-They're going to the they're-They're going to the movies tonight.movies tonight.

a. they area. they are

YOUR, YOU’REYOUR, YOU’RE

• 6. Know the difference 6. Know the difference between between your and you'reyour and you're

your-Is that your book on your-Is that your book on the floor in the corner?the floor in the corner?

a. possessive/shows a. possessive/shows ownershipownership

you're-You're a wonderful you're-You're a wonderful person!person!

a. you area. you are

ConventionsConventions• 7. Do not use slang in an essay7. Do not use slang in an essay

-gonna,gunna-gonna,gunna-ain't-ain't-like-like-becuz-becuz-U R 2 kool-U R 2 kool

• 8. Do not begin a sentence with 8. Do not begin a sentence with and, because, soand, because, so

• 9. Check your spelling9. Check your spelling

• 10. No contractions10. No contractions

Writing PromptWriting Prompt

Think about inventions that have Think about inventions that have affected our lives. affected our lives.

Select an invention and write to Select an invention and write to explain why this invention has been explain why this invention has been good or bad for society. good or bad for society.

-Modern Language Association

MLAMLA

• Modern Language AssociationModern Language Association• they create the "writing rules" they create the "writing rules" • ensures that everyone is graded on the same ensures that everyone is graded on the same

standardsstandards• MLA IS USED IN ALL TYPES OF ESSAYSMLA IS USED IN ALL TYPES OF ESSAYS

a. literary analysis essaysa. literary analysis essaysb. research essaysb. research essaysc. character analysis essaysc. character analysis essaysd. compare/contrast essaysd. compare/contrast essayse. persuasive essayse. persuasive essaysf. informative essaysf. informative essays

Page OnePage One

• Staple goes in left Staple goes in left hand cornerhand corner

• No cover sheetsNo cover sheets• Guide words are Guide words are

double spaceddouble spaced• Pagination includes Pagination includes

last name and last name and page numberpage number

• Double space the Double space the rest of the essay rest of the essay after the titleafter the title

Name Martin 1

Teacher

Class

Date essay is due

Title of your Essay

Page TwoPage Two

• Double space entire Double space entire essayessay

• Type in 12 point Type in 12 point fontfont

• Use Times New Use Times New Roman typeRoman type

• Pagination Pagination

• Do not add extra Do not add extra spaces in between spaces in between paragraphsparagraphs

Martin 2

Essay goes here.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Page ThreePage Three

• Work Cited pageWork Cited page

• 1.5 spaced1.5 spaced

Martin 3

Work Cited

MLA Writing RulesMLA Writing Rules

• double-spaceddouble-spaced• 12 font12 font• Times New RomanTimes New Roman• Black inkBlack ink• Left margin onlyLeft margin only• Staple is put in the left hand corner Staple is put in the left hand corner

of the essayof the essayi. no cover sheeti. no cover sheetii. no plasticii. no plastic

-the whole essay is

MLA Writing RulesMLA Writing Rules

• name, teacher, class, date essay is due name, teacher, class, date essay is due placed in the upper left hand cornerplaced in the upper left hand corner

• you must always use at least three quotes you must always use at least three quotes

i. “quote quote” (Shakespeare 4).i. “quote quote” (Shakespeare 4).

• you must always have a work cited pageyou must always have a work cited page

i.Last name, First name. Title of Book. i.Last name, First name. Title of Book. Where: Who, Where: Who, Year. Year.

• book titles get italicizedbook titles get italicized

• short stories, internet articles, movies get short stories, internet articles, movies get quotation marks " "quotation marks " "

MLA Writing RulesMLA Writing Rules

• type double spaces after a period, type double spaces after a period, question mark, exclamation pointquestion mark, exclamation point

• type one space after a commatype one space after a comma• do not forget the header/pagination on far do not forget the header/pagination on far

right side right side • Need your own title alwaysNeed your own title always

i. be creativei. be creativeii. the title of your essay does not get ii. the title of your essay does not get

underlined, bolded, italicized, or underlined, bolded, italicized, or quotation quotation marksmarks

iii. is centerediii. is centered

QuotesQuotes

• are placed in the body of the essayare placed in the body of the essay• at least one quote per paragraphat least one quote per paragraph

a. 3 quotes totala. 3 quotes totalb. quotes are never placed in the b. quotes are never placed in the

introduction or the conclusion of an essayintroduction or the conclusion of an essay• quotes help to prove your thesis (opinion)quotes help to prove your thesis (opinion)

a."quote quote quote quote" a."quote quote quote quote" (Author's last (Author's last name space page number).name space page number).

b."The sky is blue" (Lowry 8).b."The sky is blue" (Lowry 8).c."It was a dark and stormy night in c."It was a dark and stormy night in

the the cave" (King 96). cave" (King 96).

QuotesQuotes• need a lead-in before the quote using need a lead-in before the quote using

either a comma or a coloneither a comma or a colon

The setting was beautifully described,The setting was beautifully described, "the "the day was warm and the sun shone hues of day was warm and the sun shone hues of pink, blue, and orange while the trees were pink, blue, and orange while the trees were alive with green" (Liss 98). alive with green" (Liss 98).

OROR

The character named Brad had a lot of The character named Brad had a lot of attitude when talking to his teachersattitude when talking to his teachers: "So : "So teach, you need to lighten up. No teach, you need to lighten up. No homework tonight. Even so, I won't do it" homework tonight. Even so, I won't do it" (Polks 345). (Polks 345).

Work CitedWork Cited

• last page of your essay (gets its own page)last page of your essay (gets its own page)• books get underlined (this also goes for your books get underlined (this also goes for your

entire essay)entire essay)• Work Cited page is 1.5 spacedWork Cited page is 1.5 spaced• Work Cited is centered on the top of the pageWork Cited is centered on the top of the page

a. does not get underlineda. does not get underlinedb. does not get special treatmentb. does not get special treatment

• if more than one book, the books are arranged if more than one book, the books are arranged in alphabetical orderin alphabetical order

• Easybib.comEasybib.com

Work CitedWork Cited

Book:Book:

Last name, First name. Last name, First name. Title of Title of Book.Book. Where: Who, Year.Where: Who, Year.

King, Stephan. King, Stephan. The Shining.The Shining. New New York: York: Penguin Books, 1976.Penguin Books, 1976.

Literary Analysis EssayLiterary Analysis Essay

• The literary analysis essay breaks The literary analysis essay breaks down important literary aspects down important literary aspects about a book.about a book.

• These details help other people to These details help other people to understand the work as a whole understand the work as a whole togethertogether

• IntroductionIntroduction– Topic sentenceTopic sentence– Central ideaCentral idea

– AuthorAuthor– TitleTitle– Literary element which your essay will focus onLiterary element which your essay will focus on

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, , written by John Steinbeck, focused on the theme of friendship.focused on the theme of friendship.

John Steinbeck, in his novel, John Steinbeck, in his novel, Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, used , used the setting to promote action in his book. the setting to promote action in his book.

– ThesisThesis-Your supporting reasons-Your supporting reasons

– These reasons will be the order of your essayThese reasons will be the order of your essay

– EnderEnder

IntroductionIntroduction

Topic Sentence:Topic Sentence:

Central Idea:Central Idea:

Thesis Sentence:Thesis Sentence:

Ender: Ender:

Body ___Body ___

Reason __Reason __

Your example from the novel here.Your example from the novel here.

Lead-in,Lead-in,

Quote: “ Quote: “ “ (Steinbeck 78). “ (Steinbeck 78).