L E T

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L E T S W R I T E
with a focus on MLA
Mrs. Martin
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Paragraphs

• consists of a group of sentences that share a
  common topic
• must be 5 sentences
• each new paragraph gets indented
• each paragraph develops ONE idea

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Paragraphs
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Topic Sentence

• first sentence in each paragraph
• tells exactly what the paragraph will be about
• Makes a statement/opinion

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Restatement

• sentence after the topic sentence
• answers the who, what, why, how, when
• Longer, detailed topic sentence

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Examples or Quotes

• after the restatement
• Explains your topic
• Show your points
• What you know about the topic
• i. give a reason/example
• ii. use a quote

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Ender

• after the example
• ties this paragraph with the next

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Example Paragraph
The 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.
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Write your own paragraph here
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The Order of An Essay

• 1. Introduction Paragraph
• 2. Body (2nd Paragraph)
• 3. Body (3rd Paragraph)
• 4. Body (4th Paragraph)
• 5.Conclusion (5th Paragraph)

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Introduction

• the first paragraph of an essay
• always includes
• a. topic sentence
• -ask a question
• -state a fact
• b. central idea
• -your opinion/what you are going to show
• c. thesis
• -reasons that support your opinion
• -your essay will follow that order
• d. ender

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Introduction 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.
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Introduction Paragraph

• Computers have affected many peoples lives in a
  convenient way.
• Computers are very useful inventions.
• They make school work easier, finding information
  faster, and help people keep in touch with their
  family.
• Computers are a great benefit to society.

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Write your own intro paragraph

• Topic
• Central Idea
• Reason 1
• Reason 2
• Reason 3
• Write paragraph here

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Body
-consists of paragraphs 2,3, 4

• follow your thesis
• remember the order of paragraphs
• will consist of at least three complete paragraphs

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Paragraph 2

• focuses on reason one in your thesis
• -always includes
• a. topic sentence b. restatement
• c. example/quote
• d. example/quote
• e. ender

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Paragraph 3

• focuses on reason two in your thesis
• -always includes
• a. topic sentence
• b. restatement
• c. example/quote
• d. example/quote
• e. ender

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Paragraph 4

• focuses on reason three in your thesis
• -always includes
• a. topic sentence
• b. restatement
• c. example/quote
• d. example/quote
• e. ender

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Conclusion

• The fifth (last) paragraph in an essay
• Never begin with In conclusion
• must be 5 sentences
• Should restate the main points of your essay
• rewrite your topic sentences
• Tie everything together
• Include text to self/society/text

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An Excellent Essay Uses

• Focus
• Content
• Organization
• Style
• Conventions

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Focus

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

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Content

• -the presence of ideas developed through examples
  and reasons
• -use the reasons stated in your thesis
• -use examples/quotes/research
• -Show me/convince me you are right

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Organization
-the clear order of an essay
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Style

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

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Conventions
-grammar, spelling, and mechanics are all correct

• 1. Do not use I in an essay
• I like MTV.
• MTV is good.
• I love pizza.
• Pizza tastes good.
• I think school uniforms are a dumb idea.
• School uniforms are a dumb idea.

• 2. Do not use you in an essay
• Have you ever read such a wonderful book?
• There has never been such a wonderful book as
  this one.
• Have you ever experienced love?
• Many people have experienced love.

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Conventions

• 3. Do not use in this essay in an essay
• This essay will discuss why summer is the best
  season of all.
• Summer is the best season.

• 4. Do not use in conclusion in an essay
• In conclusion, winter is the best season.
• Winter is the best season.

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Conventions

• YOUR, YOURE
• 6. Know the difference between your and you're
• your-Is that your book on the floor in the
  corner?
• a. possessive/shows ownership
• you're-You're a wonderful person!
• a. you are

• THERE,THEIR, THEYRE
• 5. Know the difference between their, there,
  they're
• their-Is that their book on the floor?
• a. possessive/ownership
• there-Are you going over there?
• a. shows location
• they're-They're going to the movies tonight.
• a. they are

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Conventions

• 7. Do not use slang in an essay
• -gonna,gunna
• -ain't
• -like
• -becuz
• -U R 2 kool
• 8. Do not begin a sentence with and, because, so
• 9. Check your spelling
• 10. No contractions

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Writing Prompt

• Think about inventions that have affected our
  lives.
• Select an invention and write to explain why this
  invention has been good or bad for society.

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M L A
-Modern Language Association
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MLA

• Modern Language Association
• they create the "writing rules"
• ensures that everyone is graded on the same
  standards
• MLA IS USED IN ALL TYPES OF ESSAYS
• a. literary analysis essays
• b. research essays
• c. character analysis essays
• d. compare/contrast essays
• e. persuasive essays
• f. informative essays

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Page One
Name Martin 1 Teacher Class Date essay is
due Title of your Essay

• Staple goes in left hand corner
• No cover sheets
• Guide words are double spaced
• Pagination includes last name and page number
• Double space the rest of the essay after the title

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Page Two
Martin 2 Essay goes here......................
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• Double space entire essay
• Type in 12 point font
• Use Times New Roman type
• Pagination
• Do not add extra spaces in between paragraphs

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Page Three
Martin 3 Work Cited

• Work Cited page
• 1.5 spaced

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MLA Writing Rules
-the whole essay is

• double-spaced
• 12 font
• Times New Roman
• Black ink
• Left margin only
• Staple is put in the left hand corner of the
  essay
• i. no cover sheet
• ii. no plastic

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MLA Writing Rules

• name, teacher, class, date essay is due placed
  in the upper left hand corner
• you must always use at least three quotes
• i. quote quote (Shakespeare 4).
• you must always have a work cited page
• i.Last name, First name. Title of Book. Where
  Who, Year.
• book titles get italicized
• short stories, internet articles, movies get
  quotation marks " "

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MLA Writing Rules

• type double spaces after a period, question mark,
  exclamation point
• type one space after a comma
• do not forget the header/pagination on far right
  side
• Need your own title always
• i. be creative
• ii. the title of your essay does not get
  underlined, bolded, italicized, or quotation
  marks
• iii. is centered

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Quotes

• are placed in the body of the essay
• at least one quote per paragraph
• a. 3 quotes total
• b. quotes are never placed in the introduction
  or the conclusion of an essay
• quotes help to prove your thesis (opinion)
• a."quote quote quote quote" (Author's last
  name space page number).
• b."The sky is blue" (Lowry 8).
• c."It was a dark and stormy night in the cave"
  (King 96).

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Quotes

• need a lead-in before the quote using either a
  comma or a colon
• The setting was beautifully described, "the day
  was warm and the sun shone hues of pink, blue,
  and orange while the trees were alive with green"
  (Liss 98).
• OR
• The character named Brad had a lot of attitude
  when talking to his teachers "So teach, you need
  to lighten up. No homework tonight. Even so, I
  won't do it" (Polks 345).

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Work Cited

• last page of your essay (gets its own page)
• books get underlined (this also goes for your
  entire essay)
• Work Cited page is 1.5 spaced
• Work Cited is centered on the top of the page
• a. does not get underlined
• b. does not get special treatment
• if more than one book, the books are arranged in
  alphabetical order
• Easybib.com

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Work Cited

• Book
• Last name, First name. Title of Book. Where
  Who, Year.
• King, Stephan. The Shining. New York Penguin
  Books, 1976.

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Literary Analysis Essay

• The literary analysis essay breaks down important
  literary aspects about a book.
• These details help other people to understand the
  work as a whole together

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• Introduction
• Topic sentence
• Central idea
• Author
• Title
• Literary element which your essay will focus on
• Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck,
  focused on the theme of friendship.
• John Steinbeck, in his novel, Of Mice and Men,
  used the setting to promote action in his book.
• Thesis
• -Your supporting reasons
• These reasons will be the order of your essay
• Ender

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• Introduction
• Topic Sentence
• Central Idea
• Thesis Sentence
• Ender

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• Body ___
• Reason __
• Your example from the novel here.
• Lead-in,
• Quote (Steinbeck 78).

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