Writing Essentials

Part 1
 Format
1 margins
This is pretty standard and the default setting for Microsoft Word
This is listed as Normal under the margins tab located in Layout
12 pt. Times New Roman font
This needs changed from default settings
Black Ink
Double Space
Shortcut = Ctrl 2
HomeLine &Paragraph Spacing2.0
 Heading
Appears in top left hand corner
This is NOT a header
Includes
Full Name
Teachers Name
Class
Date Assignment is
Due
Make sure you adjust margins,
font, and spacing BEFORE you
begin
 Title
One double space after the heading
Should already be setup because you double spaced prior to starting
Centered
Title is not underlined or in quotations
Font size the same as the rest of the document
First letter of title is capitalized
Title should be brief and give the reader an idea about what they will be reading
 General Writing
Guidelines
One double space after
title and align back to
the left to begin writing
Use the tab button to
indent each paragraph
you write
ALWAYS spellcheck
and REVIEW EDIT
 General Writing Guidelines
Do NOT use contractions
Dont, Cant, Im/Do not, Can not, I am
Write out numbers ten and under
Titles of books, plays, and movies should be italicized
Refer to an author by first and last name the first time you refer to them
After that use last name
Print essay on 1 side of the paper and staple BEFORE you come to class
 Writing About Literature
Do and Dont
DO
Write an introduction that includes
The name of the book and author
Discuses body paragraph topics
Includes a thesis statement (last sentence of the introduction)
DONT
Talk about yourself, your friends, other people or your Aunt Matilda
Talk about the literature youre reading
 Writing About Literature
Do and Dont
DO
Write in the present tense
Must pay attention to verb usage
The author writes
DONT
Write in 1st person or use the pronoun you or form of it
Write in academic 3rd person
he, she, it, they, him, her, them
 Writing About Literature
Do and Dont
DO
Cite the text properly
(authors last name & pg #) OR (pg #)
Only include page number when you mention the authors name in the sentence
Moore says quote (4).
DONT
Make a point without providing text evidence
At least 2 per paragraph
Make your point, then provide evidence to support it
 Writing About Literature
Do and Dont
DO
Provide a so what? in the conclusion
Make one final point about your argument in the conclusion
DONT
Summarize the text ANYWHERE in your essay!
These are your thoughts supported by text evidence you have read!
 Focus on Introduction
Start with a topic sentence for the ENTIRE paper
Should include book title and author
Provide supporting details
These should support your overall topic
Should start narrowing down the topic
End with a thesis
A sentence that lays out the organization of your essay
Ex/ To have the best dining experience possible, Applebees, Moes, and the Olive Garden
are the places to go.
 Prompt
Character Analysis:

Who is Wes Moore?

What does he think? What does he love? What has he done? Where has he
been?