Home Archives Punctuation Sentence Building Vocabulary Writing Resources The Fenn Voice
Essays are Everywhere
Back to the Primitive

How to Get an "A"

09/28/2018

Publish!!!

Screen Shot 2018-09-28 at 11.48.02 AM

Always step up into a lifeboat...

 ~Fitz

 

A writing piece is never finished. It is abandoned. When you hit publish, it is an acceptance on your part that it is time to abandon the sinking ship--the essay is due, and you have done all you can to create a publishable post. It is also an announcement that you are a published author ready for the rough and tumble world of a fickle and demanding audience--an audience that will read your latest essay this weekend.

So many things can go wrong--yet so many things can go right, and so every published piece is filled with dread AND anticipation! It is all, however, part of the fun and excitement of being a writer.

As your teacher for this assignment, I have a shortlist of requirements that keep your essay at the "A" level:

Formatting... How it looks

  1. Title[blog post name];
  2. Subtitle [short phrase or sentence in 20-24 size font]
  3. Image [centered if possible]
  4. Quote: [centered in size 13-15 font in italics]

 

Opening Paragraph... Set the tone and direction

  1. Set the scene [describe a vivid scene]
  2. State the theme: [Clearly state the theme or themes you explore in your essay.

 

Body Paragraphs...Say what to you mean and mean what you say

  1. Describe specific experiences that capture your specific themes.
  2. Use dialogue, names, and specific images and actions.
  3. "Reflect" on how the specific experiences demonstrate and "amplify" your specific themes.

 

Conclusion...

  1. Finish it clean. Open the door; don't close it by writing a brief (ten second) conclusion.

 

PROOFREAD. PROOFREAD. PROOFREAD.

 

Homework: Read and comment on your classmate's essays from your class. Double credit if you comment on both classes. Due before the next class

 

A good comment is Supportive, Substantial and Specific

  1. Supportive: Point out the most positive aspects of the essay, but also offer advice and point out any mispellings or typos.
  2. Substantial: write enough to show you are invested in giving feedback
  3. Specific: Point out the specific parts of the essay that you like the best.

 

For example:

I love reading about football, and your desription of the Fay game is spot on. I felt like I was there catching the game-winning touchdown. Remember that the opening paragraph ends by stating the theme--and the conclusion needs to be more brief. Other than that, what a great essay!

Posted at 08:49 AM in Assignments, Writing Tips & Tricks | | Comments (11)

Comments