The Rubric and the Cohesive Writing Assignment

Some solid S.P.A.T. conversations in the standard class today.  After looking at a couple examples we discovered that we need to work on our spatting a bit.  Here are a few observations taken from class today:

1) Know the difference between your theme and your arguments.  Be sure you offer your arguments--and not your theme/claim--at the start of the body paragraphs.   The body paragraphs are supporting your theme.  Each body paragraph should offer a different reason (argument) as to why your theme is correct for your story.

2) Offer context. You need to offer enough information about what happened in the story so that the reader can understand your paper.  You are writing this as if your reader has not read your story.

3) Make sure the analysis says something new and doesn't just repeat what is stated in the quote.

4) Sometimes it might be necessary to offer more than just one quote as evidence.

5) If quoting something you better be sure that what is in the quotes comes directly from the text.

Write another two pages tonight on a different theme and bring it to class tomorrow.

Most of you chose books to read with your partner today too.  If I've approved your choice, start reading.  We won't do anything officially with them until after Thanksgiving but don't procrastinate.  10 pages a night is a lot easier to handle than 35.

In the honors classes we also confirmed our books.  A lot of good classic novels were selected. Again, start reading now, especially if you have The Count of Monte Cristo!

Before traveling to the IMC we looked at cohesive writing.  We have defined it as ending a piece of writing back where you began.  You return to the idea mentioned in the lead which adds a level of cohesion for the reader.  You now get to locate a good example yourself and type it up for a quick 10 points.  Here's a link to the work I want you to do with it.  Good luck.

We also went over the rubric for the theme essay.  We focused on the A because that is where I want you to end up.  Here's a link to the entire rubric so you can write with it in mind.

Tonight you are writing a third theme essay (2 page minimum) before making the big decision tomorrow.  Good luck tonight.

Until next time...