Thew Thursday

Wrap up Crucible discussionHow to take an essay test

A Guide to Writing the Timed Essay Academic Vocabulary/Ways to Respond to a

Quotation

Preview essay questions—test tomorrow!8 Steps for analyzing a writing prompt

Essay Test Format: THESISEssay Test Format: THESIS

Answers question Previews Main Points in an essay test, there is no need for an

attention getter or background

Essay Test Format: BodyEssay Test Format: Body

Topic Sentences directly address ThesisSupport from the text is specific If using the text is allowed, it must be cited

e.g., (Miller 25).If using the text is allowed, each body

paragraph needs at least one quotation.

Essay Test Format: ConclusionEssay Test Format: Conclusion

Restates ThesisConcludes argument

Assessment for The Crucible

Answer each of these prompts in its own essay. You must use support from the text to explain your ideas.

1. Explain how one character or event in the play illustrates the definition of “crucible”.

2. In what ways the play a tragedy? How is John Proctor a tragic hero?

1. What am I supposed to do as a writer when I respond to this prompt?

Does the prompt ask me to make an argument, inform my readers about a particular issue, or describe an event?

Do I have to explain the significance of a particular topic?

If you don’t understand what you are being asked to do, seek clarification.

2. What am I expected to cover in this paper?

What content should I include?

3. From which perspective or persona am I being asked to write this paper?

Does the prompt ask me to speak from a certain perspective?

Should I write this paper as an ordinary student or someone else?

Some prompts will ask you to take on the persona of celebrities, leaders, government officials, and so on.

4. Who is my audience?

To whom am I writing this paper (an organization, the mayor, a city council member, or some other individual or group?

What language is most appropriate for my audience?

What does my audience know and/or believe?

5. What type of text am I being asked to write?

Am I being asked to write a business letter or a personal statement? A book review?

You might want to ask your teacher about the writing type expected, and ask specifically how to organize the content.

6. Does the prompt ask me to use sources? If so, what sources should I use?

Does the prompt specify whether sources should be primary (e.g., speeches, interviews, autobiographies, etc.) or secondary (e.g., biographies, analyses, or commentaries on events, ideas, people, etc.)?

What types of sources are appropriate? They may be magazine or journal articles, films, or other source material.

How many different types of sources should I use?

7. Does the prompt tell me to focus on a specific text?

What does the prompt ask me to consider?

How should I focus my analysis?How many elements and/or strategies am

I being asked to analyze.

8.Are there clues in the prompt that will help me organize my paper?

Does the prompt use transition words?Is there a series of questions to consider?Does it make sense to discuss a specific

portion of the prompt first, second, and third?