First Time Writing Rules Plus Model AP Writing

First Time Writing Rules Plus Model AP Writing

FIRST TIME WRITING RULES

1. When writing, call the author “the author,” or use last name of author only. Never called Edgar Allen Poe “Edgar.”
   
2. Never use “you,” in an analysis. Never ever.
   
3. Analytical writing typically is in the third person (you don’t use “I”—why would you?). Your teacher will explain when “I” is appropriate.

1. When quoting or paraphrasing a text, use the “fictional present”: When Smith writes. . . . Only use the past tense when referring to the authorship of a work: When Smith wrote his first novel, Under The Wheels. . .

1. Do not use contractions in formal writing.

1. Study good examples.

1. A work without a title is not finished—this includes single-paragraph assignments. See MLA format on how to format titles, headings, what font to use, etc.

1. Use literary vocabulary that you are given or pick up from class discussion. Failure to do this means you are not growing.

1. Use a variety of interesting sentences to achieve fluency. I will check for:
   1. OCCASIONAL use of compound sentences with semicolons: Poe is not the master of his characters’ fate; he leaves this task up to the reader.

2. Use proper connecting words. If you don’t know a conjunctive adverb from a coordinator, you need to review.

3. Use correct parallel sentence structure. See end of this document for parallel structure guide.
My web page has a complete list of documents that can make you a good writer. Here are some of the links (if any are broken, let me know!) USE THEM by Control/Clicking the links below:

• HOW TO WRITE LITERARY ANLAYSIS: FULL EXPLANATION
• HOW TO WRITE A GOOD TITLE:
  Click Here
• HOW TO USE QUOTES (Basics):
  How To Use Quotes(2).doc
• INTEGRATING QUOTES (MLA Formatting Guide):
  Integrating Quotes
• PUNCTUATING TITLES

Titles_of_Works_Handout.pdf

• PUNCTUATING DIALOGUE AND QUOTES

• MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF TO-DO's and NOT TO-DO's:
  To Do and Not To Do.docx
• LIST OF TERMS NOT TO USE & HOW NOT TO WRITE:
  Nonfigurative cliches and link of metaphor cliches(3).docx

1. When writing an entire essay, use your writing prompt to create your THESIS, and use your THESIS as the “road map.” A thesis should be a SUMMARY of your paper, with your MAIN POINT or POINTS included in the order in which they will appear.
   
2. Keep CHARACTERS, SYMBOLS, and the AUTHOR separate. Edgar Allen Poe doesn’t symbolize decay—the house does.
3. You underline the name of anything that would be on a cover (such as the title of a book, the name of movie script, the name of an album). You put quotes around anything that would appear BETWEEN two covers (the title of a chapter, a scene in a movie, or a song on an album).