The document provides writing tips and guidelines for developing multi-paragraph essays and responses to writing prompts. It discusses taking an objective stance, active voice, prewriting techniques like outlining, and essay structure. Specific tips are offered for introductions, body paragraphs, conclusions, and time-limited writing exercises. Body paragraphs should each contain a main idea supporting the thesis, specific details like quotes, development explaining how details fit the thesis, and a closing sentence tying the idea to the thesis. The document models showing specific details rather than telling, and provides a sample writing prompt asking for a one paragraph response taking a position on whether Homer condemns or celebrates warfare in his poems, supported by examples.

1. Writing Workshop

2. Writing Tips: GeneralTake yourself out of it: (don’t say, “I believe,” “in my opinion,” “I think,” etc..)Don’t drag your reader into it, “our society,” “this happens to us,” “we go,” “you do this”Do not use contractionsWrite in the active voice: “Jessica threw the ball” not “The ball was thrown by Jessica”Write to an audience: MEWrite what you know!

3. Prewriting: getting the ideaWalk around, talk to yourself, take notesKeep writingDo bubbles, pictures, etc…Make a specific outline

4. Organization: 5 paragraph essayI. Introduction: 2-3 sentencesThesis is the last sentence, it answer the question that is proposed. II. 1-3 Body paragraphsFirst body paragraph:Main idea that supports thesisSpecific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Specific detail 2 could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraphIII. Conclusion:

5. Timed write: 40 minute write: Write four paragraphs Introduction variation: I. Introduction: A. 2-3 sentences introducing general information about the topicThesis: the answer to the task OR Introduction: Thesis: the answer to the task First body paragraph:First Main idea that supports thesisSpecific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Specific detail 2 could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph OR First body paragraph:First Main idea that supports thesisSpecific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

6. Second body paragraph:Second Main idea that supports thesisSpecific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Specific detail 2 could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraphOR Second body paragraph:Second Main idea that supports thesisSpecific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraphConclusion: Conclusion: (2-3) sentences:Last closing arguments (1-2 sentences)Restating the thesis ORConclusion: (2-3) sentences:Restate the thesis

7. 25 minute Write: 2-3 paragraphsI. Introduction: A. 2-3 sentences introducing general information about the topicThesis: the answer to the taskORI. Introduction: Thesis: the answer to the task

8. First body paragraph:First Main idea that supports thesisSpecific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Specific detail 2 could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea and thesis)Closing sentence: tie main idea to thesis and transition to next paragraph

9. Conclusion: Conclusion: (2-3) sentences:Last closing arguments (1-2 sentences)Restating the thesisORConclusion: (2-3) sentences:Restate the thesis

10. Paragraph Write: Main idea (serves as thesis)Specific detail 1 (could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea)Specific detail 2 could be a quote)Development (connect how the details fits the main idea)Closing sentence: tie back to main idea

11. Okay so what is a specific detail?: Show DO NOT TellTelling: My brother is talented.Showing: My brother modifies sports car engines, competes in ballroom dance tournaments, and analyzes chess algorithms.

12. More fun examples: Achilles is a war hero.Achilles killed seven men at one time, fought the greatest Trojan warrior and killed him while arguing with the gods and dealing with the current of the river.

13. PromptSome critics have argued that Homer condemns the tragic waste of warfare. Others have claimed that Homer celebrates warfare and the values of the warrior. Take a position on this widely debated issue, and present examples from the poem to support your position. (1 paragraph)