1010-1020 Toolkit for Effective Writing
Standards for Effective Writing -- will inform the Grading Sheet for Each Major Essay
Purpose/Audience/Thesis Why are you writing and for whom? What is the genre of the essay and what are its specific rhetorical goals? Does the student write with a strong sense of purpose and audience? Does the writer adhere to assignment guidelines? Does the writer use a thesis statement that adequately expresses the main argument of the essay?
Development/Use of Sources Does the writer develop ideas and support claims with examples and evidence? Does the writer successfully incorporate ideas from readings and research into the body of the essays? Does the writer introduce and cite sources correctly using MLA style?
Organization Does the writer present ideas in a lucid and logical fashion? Does the writer include a clear yet exciting introduction and solid conclusion? Does the writer effectively use “cues” such as topic sentences and transitions to guide the reader through the essay?
Voice and Style Does the writer develop a unique and compelling voice and style? Does the writer incorporate stylistic strategies such as active verbs, sentence variety, simile/metaphor, and/or alliteration? Does the writer avoid cliché and trite generalization, over-use of “to be” verbs, and other stylistic problems that might weaken the essays?
Grammar and Mechanics Does the writer avoid errors that distract the reader from the essay’s message? Does the writer avoid major errors in agreement (subject/verb, pronoun/antecedent) and sentence boundaries (fragment, run-on, comma splice)? Does the writer show college-level professionalism, respect for the reader, and evidence of editing/proofreading?
English 1020 - Guide for Successful Writing - by TA/peer mentor/tutorSt Jessica Hunt
Writing an Essay: The Basics
DO: 1.) Think about your audience: Who are they and more importantly, what do they already know? This will affect how you write your paper.
2.) What’s your purpose/claim/statement/argument? If you don’t know this, you shouldn’t be writing.
3.) Create an INTERESTING introduction! Your first sentence is your “hook” that snags the reader and makes them want to read your paper. When creating an introduction sentence, do think of specific, interesting, bold statements that your reader isn’t expecting.
Example: “Colonization offers new land and new hope for those seeking it, but it comes with a heavy price to civilizations who are affected by it.”
DO NOT: Do not make general statements/assumptions: General statements are boring and making assumptions in your papers tarnishes your credibility and impacts your target audience.
Example: “Everyone has a cell phone and understands how addicting they can be.” No, they don’t because not everyone in the world has one. Think about what you say before you say it.
Poor introduction: Colonization is when people settle into an area. (This is a general statement and everybody knows that).
Thesis Statements: the sentence(s) that express the main idea or persuasive point of a research paper or essay. It makes a direct claim or argument.
How do I make a thesis statement?: Think about your claim and the effects of that claim. Because of X, Y and Z is the result.
Example: “Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry from Africa” supports postcolonialism theory by demonstrating the atrocities of white colonization in Africa by utilizing imagery and historical allusion, also leading to Walcott’s dichotomy of English and African blood and his internal struggle to coexist within these clashing cultures.”
(X) Claim: Derek Walcott is supporting postcolonialism theory in his poem “A Far Cry from Africa”
(Y) Because/How: he uses imagery and historical allusion
(Z) Result: he has an internal struggle to coexist with his English and African heritages.
Important things to know: Your thesis statement is probably the most important part of the essay. This is where your main ideas are going to be displayed and it sets up the structure for the rest of your essay.
Tips: Use your thesis as your guide. If you’re writing an essay about good study skills and your thesis states that you’re going to talk about organization, time-management, and planning your tasks, then set your paper up that way. Have each of your body paragraphs follow the order that your topics appear in your essay. This will allow your essay to flow as you end one paragraph and begin the next.
Citations: Giving credit where credit is due. Make a Sandwich!
1.) Introduce quote, 2.) Insert quote, 3.) Cite quote, 4.) Interpret/Analyze/Explain
Example: “Walcott alludes to historical events generally known to the world as atrocities to emphasize animosity of white colonization. One example of this is shown when Walcott says, “To savages, expendable as Jews,” (10). Walcott is referring to World War II when the Nazis tried to wipe out the Jews. This comparison is saying that white colonization in Africa is as equally unjust, immoral, and vicious as the Nazis were to the Jewish. Dehumanizing the African people by calling them savages also shows how easy it is for white colonies to chase them out as if they really are animals of the land.”
This quote came from a poem and was cited with a (10) because the line came from line number 10. Refer to a citation guide if you are unsure of what style citation you need to use in your essay.
It’s important that you follow up your quotes with your own interpretations/analysis. This essay was written by you and should contain your thoughts. Quotes are used to cushion your ideas and back up points or facts that you want to make. We want to know what YOU have to say about the topic.
Conclusions: Your conclusion should refer back to your thesis statement, but ultimately you need to connect to the so what of your essay. So what? Why was your essay important? What larger ideas can you connect to in order to make your reader think about the bigger picture?
Example: Ultimately, by using imagery, historical references, and talking about the conflict of his white and African blood, Derek Walcott’s “A Far Cry From Africa” can be tied into postcolonialism theory to show how atrocious white colonization has affected his people and lead to his personal struggles. Perhaps this can show that while colonization can bring new ways of life, some things are better left untouched if the price is going to be brutal oppression to those victimized by it.”
This conclusion sums up what the main point of this essay was by referring back to the thesis statement while also connecting to a larger idea at the end by making the reader think even further about colonization. Without colonization, America wouldn’t be the way it is today. There are many ways to think about colonization and a good essay will leave your reader really thinking about the subject afterward.
Helpful Tools: Tech’s databases (good places to find your research) JSTOR is a good one!
Purdue Owl MLA Guide: This website is literally the bible of writing. It breaks down everything you need to know about writing from your introduction to your citations to your conclusion. Learn it. Live it. Love it. Happy Writing! May the odds be ever in your favor :)
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_style_introduction.html