Essay 1 common errors

Pre-AP English I

Formatting

Pass out mla handbook and find how to use microsoft word on

website

Comma splice

2 complete sentences connected only by a comma.

Ex: Morrie was a great teacher, he taught Mitch how to live.

To correct a comma splice: add a comma and conjunction

Morrie was a great teacher, and he taught Mitch how to live.

Answer ALL the prompt

• Your assignment for this summer also includes writing a 5 paragraph essay on three life lessons you learned while reading this book. (Note: a well developed body paragraph should be 8-12 sentences.) For example, through his discussions with Morrie, Mitch learns that material possessions are not as important as family. Mitch applies this lesson to his own life and realizes that he has not been spending enough time with his wife. He makes a point to change things, and their relationship becomes stronger. Just like Mitch, you will find three lessons in the book that apply to you (not the example I just gave you). You will describe the lesson taught by Morrie and then explain/describe an incident that involved you learning/applying this lesson to your life. This paper should be typed and double-spaced.

Middle school transitions and flat word handouts

You are no longer allowed to use the following transitions:

First, second, third, next, last, finally AND MOST DEFINITELY NOT:

In conclusion!!!

Do not use the “word” alot

As humans…

We as people…

We as creatures of the Earth…

Are you telling me that extraterrestrials are writing this essay as well? If not, this just sounds awkward…

Also, I asked how YOU personally learned the lesson, not all humans!

Conjunctions

Do not start a sentence with a conjunction:

For

And

Nor

Or

But

So

A conjunction joins 2 sentences into 1, so it cannot be at the beginning of the sentence.

Citing quotes

See page 2 of mla handbook

Quotes that are not cited are plagiarized and will result in a failing grade

Do not address your reader!

• I am writing to tell you

• In this essay

• This quote means

• In this paper

• I will let you know

We are not having a casual conversation over coffee, this is a FORMAL essay; you should always consider your audience.

Punctuation

We will spend all of next week focusing on comma rules because you probably follow the “if in doubt, use a comma” rule which is not actually a rule so…

Passive Voice

• This is where you put the action being received before the person or thing doing the action

The lesson was taught by Morrie.Action being received

Person

Doing the action

Do not use passive voice. It is incorrect and awkward.

Corrected: Morrie taught the lesson.

Sentence Variety

Do not use all of the same types of sentences in your essay. Many of you used short, simple sentences throughout which led to dry impersonal commentary.

We will work on this during our writing unit.