“Writing well is one of the most important life skills you can develop. Being a good writer can help you achieve success in school and beyond.” – Writing Coach

The purposes of writing are typically to:• Share• Persuade• Inform• Enjoy

MODES/TYPESof writing

Narrative

Expository

Persuasive

Analytical

Technical

METHODS

FORMS

Good Writing=

Multiple Modes

Methods are the organizational structures in which the characteristics of the mode are expressed.

Forms are the various real-world, published pieces we encounter every day.

Narrative MODECharacteristics :•Recalls or tells a story•Uses 1st or 3rd person•Uses plot, setting, characters, conflict to develop theme or main idea•Incorporates dialogue•Sequence of events help to organize ideas

Characteristics :•Recalls or tells a story•Uses 1st or 3rd person•Uses plot, setting, characters, conflict to develop theme or main idea•Incorporates dialogue•Sequence of events help to organize ideas

Narrative Mode METHODS:

Fiction or NonfictionFiction or Nonfiction

Narrative Mode FORMS:

•Short stories•Novels•Personal essays•Poetry•Diaries/Journals/Memoirs•Mysteries•Fantasies/Sci-Fi

Expository MODECharacteristics

:•Seeks to inform/explain•Develops thesis/main idea•Supports thesis/main idea using examples, details, and/or facts•Presents logically organized information•Remains focused on topic

Characteristics :•Seeks to inform/explain•Develops thesis/main idea•Supports thesis/main idea using examples, details, and/or facts•Presents logically organized information•Remains focused on topic

Expository Mode METHODS:

•Definition •Cause/Effect•Process•Compare/Contrast

•Definition •Cause/Effect•Process•Compare/Contrast

Expository Mode FORMS:

•Newspaper articles•Magazine Articles •Guidebooks/Textbooks•Catalogues•Brochures/Flyers•Essays•Reports

Definition METHOD

Characteristics :•Defines a word, term, or concept in depth by •Provides personal commentary and examples on what the specific subject means.

Characteristics :•Defines a word, term, or concept in depth by •Provides personal commentary and examples on what the specific subject means.

Example One:

For example, if you feel that the word marriage should be defined in a limited manner, that term would make a good subject for a definition essay.

For example, if you feel that the word marriage should be defined in a limited manner, that term would make a good subject for a definition essay.

Example Two:

Perhaps as a teenager, you want to define what the term discipline means from your point of view.

A racist can be defined as a prejudiced person who discriminates because of another individuals outer appearance or race. Racism can all start as a child being raised with negative thoughts, or can be brought upon by personal reasons. For example, growing up in a racist family will give adolescent awful thoughts about a race without even experiencing how they really feel first hand. A different example of how one might unfortunately choose to be racist would be if a person visits a country, and a negative event took place; this person might become racist toward a group of people that lived there all because of one personal event that happened. This is not a type of person that treats people how they want to be treated, but it is a form of hatred toward a set of people. This kind of person might use mental abuse, or they can even get physically abusive toward the kind of race they are discriminate towards. They also can have a type of attitude that thinks that they are better than certain groups and cultures. Racism is a negative concept that put down people for no real reason. Racism is a form of ignorance and inequity and only one could wish for this discrimination to stop all together in order for everybody to get along.

Cause/Effect METHODCharacteristics

:•Traces results of an event or describes the reasons an event happened.• Organizes information clearly•Offers precise examples that support the relationship between the cause and effect.

Characteristics :•Traces results of an event or describes the reasons an event happened.• Organizes information clearly•Offers precise examples that support the relationship between the cause and effect.

Example One:

For example ,explaining the cause and effect of watching too much television.

For example ,explaining the cause and effect of watching too much television.

Example Two:

For example, explaining the cause and effect of dropping out of school

When batteries are thrown into the trash, they are harmful to the environment. If batteries are not properly disposed of, they can crack or become damaged. As a result, the toxic substances inside the batteries leak, and the surrounding water and soil are contaminated. Likewise, when batteries are incinerated, or burned, the air is contaminated by toxic fumes. Since

incineration produces ashes, the ashes contain toxic substances. Over time, the ashes are buried and the toxic substances make their way into the soil and water. Finally, old car batteries are also harmful because they can crack open when they are dropped. If a neighborhood trash collector drops an old battery in the street or driveway, the toxic contents may spill and pose a health hazard for pets and small children. Therefore it is very important to

properly dispose of old batteries to protect our environment.

Process METHOD•Characteristic

s :•Describes the sequence by which an event, task, or goal is completed.•Translates easily for intended audience (no confusion)•Employs effective transition words

•Characteristics :•Describes the sequence by which an event, task, or goal is completed.•Translates easily for intended audience (no confusion)•Employs effective transition words

Example One:

For example, describe how to tie your shoes

For example, describe how to tie your shoes

Example Two:

Outline the appropriate steps to effectively ending a relationship.

Ami Blue Prof. Blue Composition 3 July 8, 2009 How to Live on a Tight Budget In order to keep a tight budget, I have to find a new job, keep a record of my money, and take care with my free time. The first step is to consider getting a second or third job because doing so has two advantages: you can make more money, and you have less time to spend the money! Secondly, you must record all the money that you receive and spend. The money you receive is called your salary, and it should be more than the money you spend. This is called a budget. Don’t forget to include money you spend regularly, such as gas, rent, car insurance, and electricity; also, keep in mind any special checks you write, such as those you write for food, new shoes, and vacations. Finally, think about how you spend your free time; try to spend your free time without spending money! For example, you spend money on activities like movies, parties, and restaurants. You should cut back on these unnecessary expenses. After you follow these steps, you will save money, time, and worry.

Compare/Contrast METHOD

Characteristics :•Examines the similarities and differences between two things for a specific purpose•Offers clear, factual details about the subject•Employs effective transition words for better understanding

Characteristics :•Examines the similarities and differences between two things for a specific purpose•Offers clear, factual details about the subject•Employs effective transition words for better understanding

Example One:

For example, compare swimming in a swimming pool to swimming in the river.

For example, compare swimming in a swimming pool to swimming in the river.

Example Two:

For example, compare driving an automatic to a standard vehicle.

As broad as their sounds are, there are several very distinct similarities and differences between electric and acoustic guitars. For instance, both utilize the use of a body for the neck to attach to and a neck with frets for finger placement. The strings attach to the lower end of the body and go all the way to the head, or the top of the neck. They both use strings that vary in gauge, or size, which are vital to produce sound when they are picked, hammered on, or strummed as a group. Similarly, each is tuned in the same manner to produce the proper tone desired. An acoustic guitar needs no amplifier to make its sound loud enough to be heard. An acoustic guitar uses the body of the guitar as its amplifier. Because the body is very thick and hollow it is able to project its own natural sound loudly. This makes it very portable and capable of being played virtually anywhere. An acoustic guitar doesn’t need any foot pedals, volume and tone knobs, or any other hardware like that to produce the sound it makes. An electric guitar is very hard to hear without an amplifier. An electric guitar requires the use of an amplifier to transport the sound though pickups that are secured in the body. These sounds are transferred through a cable connected to the guitar. The cable then goes to the amplifier which produces the sounds out of the speakers. Volume and tone knobs on the electric guitar can make it louder or change the sound of the strings being played. Additionally, foot pedals can be added to produce even more different sounds so that the musical capabilities of the electric guitar are almost limitless. There’s not a lot of music that I listen to that doesn’t have some sort of electric or acoustic guitar in the mix, either as the main instrument or as small as a fill in for a certain sound. The genre of the music frequently dictates which type of guitar should be used.