01.31.2011 writer’s workshop english ii cp | mr. smith

01.31.2011WRITER’S WORKSHOP

English II CP | Mr. Smith

Warm-up: “My Weekend”

Write about one event from your weekend in as much concrete detail as possible.

Vocab List 01

Vocab procedure

Monday New list given and posted online Homework: meaningful sentences

Tuesday – homework: visual vocab Thursday

Vocab review Homework: study (optional: make flashcards)

Friday – QUIZ

Vocab List 01

1. indifferent – not caring one way or another Some people don’t care who gets elected president

because they are indifferent about politics.

2. apathy – lack of emotion or interest Students who have no interest in reading or writing

usually have apathy for English class.

3. obscure – partially hidden; hard to understand The students couldn’t understand what they read

because the vocabulary was obscure.

Vocab List 01

4. impartial – fair; treating all equally Mr. Smith is impartial when he grades; he never

plays favorites with his students.5. objective – not influenced by personal feelings or

opinions Judges have to make objective decisions that are

only based on the law, not their personal emotions.6. revere – to worship or honor

Mr. Smith reveres the Tar Heels.

Vocab List 01

7. discriminate – to make a distinction between; to see the difference

The twins looked so much alike that it was difficult to discriminate between them.

8. denounce – to speak out against Mr. Smith always denounces cheating in his classroom.

9. innovate – to be creative; to introduce something new Mr. Smith’s students innovate every time they write

something new.10. relevant – connected or related to a thing or idea

Paying attention in class is relevant to earning a good grade.

[ Mini-lesson ]

The Multi-paragraph Essay

Essay terms

Essay – A piece of writing that gives your thoughts (also known as commentary) about a subject. Essays usually have at least four paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Essay terms

Introduction (also known as the introductory paragraph) – The first paragraph in an essay, which includes the thesis sentence (usually the last sentence in the introduction).

Essay terms

Body paragraph – A middle paragraph in an essay. It develops a point you want to make that supports your thesis sentence.

Essay terms

Conclusion (also known as the concluding paragraph) – The last paragraph in an essay. It may sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said earlier in the essay, give more commentary about your subject, or give a personal statement about the subject.

A conclusion is all commentary and does NOT include concrete detail. It does not repeat the thesis sentence or introduction. It gives a finished feeling to the essay.

Essay terms

Thesis sentence – A sentence that states the subject of your essay as well as your opinion about that subject. The thesis sentence is found somewhere in the introduction, usually at the end of the paragraph.

Essay terms

Topic sentence – The first sentence in a body paragraph. This must have a subject and opinion for the paragraph. It does the same job for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the entire essay.

Essay terms

Concrete details – Specific details that form the backbone of your body paragraphs. Synonyms for concrete details include: facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot references.

Essay terms

Commentary – Your opinion or comment about something; not concrete detail. Synonyms include opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, personal response, feelings, evaluation, explication, and reflection.

Essay terms

Concluding sentence – The last sentence in a body paragraph. It is all commentary and gives a finished feeling to the paragraph.

Essay terms

Shaping the essay – The type of mapping (last part of prewriting) used before writing the first draft of an essay. It is an outline of your thesis sentence, topic sentences, concrete details, and commentary ideas.

Essay terms

Chunk – One sentence of concrete detail plus at least two sentences of commentary. It is the smallest group of complete thoughts you can write.

Ratio – The ratio (proportion) of one part concrete detail to two (or more) parts commentary.

Protected writing time

Agenda

Biography – drafting, revising, editing, conferencing

Autobiography – prewriting (brainstorming/mapping), drafting, revising, editing, conferencing

NO TALKING unless approved by Mr. Smith Check in with Mr. Smith at each step of the

writing process

Homework

For tonight:

Vocab list 01 meaningful sentences