De Bleecker 1

Alexis De Bleecker

Dominika Szybisty

Section 1

9 November 17

Tracking My Challenges in Writing

Organization:

Make sure you are making sense of your observations about a text
Figure out how you want your message to come across
Let the thesis direct what you want to say
Hooking the reader is really important
Make sure your text structure is good
The beginning of every paper should have something to interest the reader
The middle should have these basic organizational structures
o Sequence, description, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem and
solution.
Sequence uses time numerical or spatial order as the organizing
structure, some narratives use a chronological sequence
Description is used to describe the characteristic features and events
biographies, oral history, and recounts of current and historical events.
Cause and Effect structure is used to show the causal relationships
between events. Cause and effect structures organize more sophisticated
narratives
Comparison and contrast structure is used to explain two or more objects,
events, or positions in an argument similar or different. Graphs like Venn
Diagrams or compare/contrast organizers can be used to compare features
of different categories
Problem and solution requires writers to state a problem and come up with
a solution this helps organize your thought process and make things a little
more clearer
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The thesis will show how the rest of the paper is going to flow
Make sure the that your main argument is constructed thoroughly through your thesis
Have the argument well outlined
Make sure that the outline is in an order that flows and makes sense
Keep working on the outline until it perfectly portrays what you are trying to say

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X5WoCHhtCM

Thesis:

Definition: having an idea that is developed through a thesis, in around one to two

sentences.

It should present your topic

Try not to put the thesis in the middle of a paragraph
As you write your paper the thesis will be refined as you obtain a better sense of where
the argument is being taken
Make sure the thesis is clear and there arent any grey areas
Use your own words
Be creative in what topics you write about
Use concrete words and active verbs
Avoid using generic words as well as formulas
Make sure you provide the reader with the answer to the so what? statement
o This provides the reader with exigence and keeps them interested. It gives them a
reason to keep reading and shows how its relevant.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a writer who has

intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm.

MLA Format:
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It is the style of formatting which provides writers with a system for referencing their

sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages. In Purdue, it says

that using MLA format provides the writer with credibility.

The paper needs to be typed on a standard white, 8.5 x 11-inch paper

Needs to be double spaced
Needs to be a legible font such as Times New Romans
The size of the font needs to be 12
Leave only one space after period
The margin set has to one inch on ever side
The first line in every paragraph has to be indented
The pages have to be numbered in the header for every page
Last name next to the page number
Use italics throughout essay for titles, when absolutely necessary
o (Provides emphasis)
Endnotes are provided after the paper and before the works cited page on a separate sheet
of paper
Do not make a title page unless it is requested
Upper left hand of the paper should have your name, your instructors name, the course,
and the date
MLA does not have a prescribed system of heading for books
Grammar:
Spelling, with spelling there are simply forms to remember and keep in mind when
writing, for example:
o Accept, Except
o Affect, Effect
o Advise, Advice
Words have the same sound but have completely different meanings and it is important to
make sure you know which one is the correct one to use
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It is important to make sure you know how to write numbers correctly and when to spell
them out
It is also important how to write the days and years, and the time of day correctly
As a writer, its essential to know the difference be adjectives and adverbs
Adjectives clarify the noun by answering one of the following different questions: What
kind? Which? Or How many?
Adjectives cant modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs
Adverbs cant modify nouns
Adverbs answer the following questions: How? When? Where? Why?
A countable noun is usually something you can count quantitatively
Countable nouns can be expressed in plural form usually adding s to its singular forms
Prepositions are words that indicate the start of a prepositional phrase
A prepositional phrase begins with the first preposition in a sentence and ends with the
object or noun of the prepositional phrase
In general, prepositional phrases act as adverbs or adjectives
To express extended time, English uses the following prepositions: since, for, by, from
to, fromuntil, during, (with)in
To express notions of place, English uses the following: In, Inside, On, and At
To express notions of an object being higher than a point, English uses the following:
Over: to talk about an object that has moved higher and wider than another object
Above: to talk about an object that has moved higher than another object
To express objects that are lower than a point, English uses under, underneath, beneath,
and below
To describe an object that has moved closer to a point, English uses by, next to, between,
among, opposite, near
An object of a verb adds specificity to the verb
The object is introduced by a preposition
Avoid Four Types of Shifts
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1. Writers should keep the element in a sentence consistent, avoiding any unnecessary
changes in tense, voice, mood, person, number, and discourse.
a. Shift in pronoun
i.I brought my furniture from that store because you pay no interest for one year. When one begins
college, you experience many new situations. We sat through the beginning of the lecture, and
you could tell the speaker was not prepared.
b. Shift in verb tense
.She caught the ball and then throws it
i.She makes a bold proclamation and then rushed down the stairs
c. Mood of the verb
.Mood Definition is how the speaker feels about what is being written or the way the thought is
being expressed.
i.Four main verb moods:
1. The indicative
d. Voice
1. Dominica teaches everyday. (Indicative)
2. Will you go to the party tonight? (Imperative) - command
3. Shut up! (Interrogative) you, can apply to group as well
4. If I were you I would have sought advice. (Subjunctive) -
I might change my major. (Conditional) I recommend: that Jack Study/ He go home. Instead of
Studies/Goes

Punctuation:
When speaking, people pause or change tones in how they talk to indicate emphasis
While in writing this is done by actual punctuation
This helps clarify when and the writing will be read
Conquer the comma
Commas are used to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these
seven-coordinating conjunction: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet