Developing Writing Tools

 

"When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into writing. "

Enrique Jardiel Poncela

 

A well organized essay consists of the following components:

The Introduction: A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important. It provides some background information about the topic. These few sentences can lead the reader to the thesis. The thesis statement is the main idea of the essay. A good thesis statement will help your essay and give it direction.

The Body: The writer develops ideas that were presented in the introduction. Each body paragraph has a main idea, which leads the reader to the final stage of the essay.

The Conclusion: This section brings closure to the reader and sums up the ideas presented in the body paragraphs. It restates what is said in the introduction. The conclusion needs 3 or 4 sentences.

 

 

 

Good Writing Traits: Six Traits of Good Writing   1. Ideas and Content ideas are interesting ideas hold the readers’ attention ideas are clear and focused ideas have main ideas that stand out ideas have details that strongly support     2. Organization the order and structure are strong they move the reader easily through the writing strong introduction paves the way clear conclusion ties ideas together smooth transitions details properly placed to support main ideas     3. Voice shows a deep sense of involvement with the topic effective level of closeness vs. distance depending on topic and mode strong sense of audience and purpose true personality rings through uses humor, suspense, or outside sources as needed     4. Word Choice words chosen to communicate the ideas are interesting, accurate, and natural sounding fresh, original expression words chosen are lively and add to readers’ interest and enjoyment words chosen get noticed, but in a natural, non-interruptive way slang, if used, works well for a clear reason     5. Sentence Fluency smooth and natural flow sentences are varied in length and structure easy to read fluent dialog, if used, is natural-sounding     6. Conventions mastery of standard writing conventions: spelling grammar punctuation capitalization usage paragraphing conventions successfully used to enhance readability and comprehension of ideas little or no need for further editing errors, if exist, do not interrupt the readers’ flow and understanding     7. Citing Sources acknowledgement of borrowed material to avoid plagiarism proper paraphrasing of borrowed material proper punctuation of quoted material bibliography correctly formatted