Language Arts

General Writing Response Format

Argumentative

Intro. Paragraph:

  1. Hook

    • Question

    • Story

    • Quote

    • Statistic

    • Light exaggeration (no “we’re all gonna die”)

  2. Fluff (Three reasons)

    • 2nd best

    • 3rd best (hide the worst in middle)

    • Save the best for last

  3. Thesis (powerful statement that expresses what you want)

Body Paragraphs:

  1. Topic Sentence

  2. The Dance

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

  3. Wrap it up

Counter Argument

  1. Topic Sentence (Some people believe/may argue)

  2. The Dance

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

  3. Wrap it up

Conclusion Paragraph:

  1. Restate topic

  2. Give a solution/philosophy/supporting anecdote (brief story)

  3. Wrap it up


Informative/Explanatory

Intro. Paragraph:

  1. Title, author, mini summary

  2. Extended summary (3-5 sentences: beginning → middle → end)

  3. Thesis (statement that addresses the assigned topic)

Body Paragraphs:

  1. Topic Sentence

  2. The Dance

  3. Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

  4. Wrap it up

Conclusion Paragraph:

  1. Restate topic

  2. Give a solution/philosophy/supporting anecdote (brief story)

  3. Wrap it up

Narrative

Story Suggestions:

  1. Pre-write you events, starting with #10. Then work from the top to fill in your plot points, similar to a storyboard with pictures.

  2. Complete a roller coaster outline like this one or this one. 

  3. Consider the following tips:

    • "Once upon a time…" (but never use those words).

    • Thin slicing: choose a very narrow window of time.

    • Sensory language: Can you take me there with my senses (things I’d see, hear, smell, taste, or touch)? Use a few from that list to pull the reader in.

Summary Instructions

  1. Read article twice

  2. Tarzan it (highlight the important parts/main story ideas)

  3. Flip the paper over…write down everything you remember

  4. Divide into 3 BME parts for summary (beginning, middle, and end)

  5. Divide your BME’s into 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s

  6. Rewrite into paragraphs (length depends on the original source)

  7. Begin your intro with a title, author, and mini-summary

  8. Once done, proofread twice


Short Answer Response (Think Question Style)

  1. A: Answer the question (frame it)

  2. C: Cite evidence (using the original text) 

  3. E: Explain (elaborate)...talk it out 

  4. Wrap it up

MLA Formatting

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html