Writing+-+Model+Responses

Students often wonder what they need to do "to get an A." While every assignment will have nuances that distinguish it from previous assignments, oftentimes, "good writing" is "good writing." On this page we have posted student-written exemplars from past assignments. It is possible that your class may not do these assignments, but the point is this: notice how the writing is strong in many of the elements that we continue to talk about day after day.

Focus on how these writings:
 * are strong in organization. They go back to an anchor definition or text and then go to the comparison text(s).
 * are strong in transitions. While the transitions may or may not be single words, these papers help the reader move through the paper through the use of transitions.
 * are strong in quote integration. These papers seek to show rather than tell. These papers often use quotes from the original texts in the EVIDENCE sections of our PEA structure.
 * are strong in ANALYSIS. Many student papers make a point and then provide some evidence from a text. They usually, then, just...stop. These papers do NOT stop; they make a point, provide some evidence as to why they formed that point, AND they go on to connect that evidence back to the point made AND the overall CLAIM (thesis) of the paper.

__**WARNING**__:
 * These are NOT perfect papers! Many have issues in them!
 * For example, some include significant usage of the first person in academic writing, which we seek to remove as we progress through the year. Perhaps these topics either a) called for first person usage OR b) were assigned before we spoke significantly about levels of formality!
 * Some include capitalization issues.
 * Some include quote integration / citation issues.
 * Some include other issues!


 * ASSIGNMENT** - What are the common purposes of government?
 * [[file:Model - PEA - Purposes of Gov.docx]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - In the Heights Character Sketch
 * [[file:Model - In the Heights - Character Sketch.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - In the Heights - Character Sketch - 2.pdf]]
 * [[file:Model - In the Heights Characterization.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - In the Heights Characterization - 4.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - In the Heights - Characterization.docx]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - Foil Pairs of Characters in //Rent//
 * [[file:Model - Foil Pairs - Rent.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - Rent Foil Pair - 6.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - Rent Foil Pair - 5.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - Rent Foil Pair - 4.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - Rent Foil Pair - 3.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - Rent Foil Pair - 2.docx]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - Compare the beliefs of the majority cultures in //Rabbit Proof Fence// and "Lullaby" toward indigenous peoples.
 * [[file:Exemplar - Rabbit 1.doc]]
 * [[file:Exemplar - Rabbit 3.doc]]
 * [[file:Exemplar - Rabbit 4.doc]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - Literary analysis - What is a potential theme of Lord of the Flies and how does the author advance that theme?
 * [[file:Model - Theme Paper - LotF.pdf]]
 * [[file:Model - LotF Theme Paper - 2.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - LotF Theme Paper - 3.docx]]
 * [[file:Model - LotF Theme Paper - 4.pdf]]
 * [[file:Model - LotF Theme.pdf]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - How does Jack London use the common forms of foreshadowing in his short story "To Build a Fire"?
 * [[file:Exemplar - TBAF 1.doc]]
 * [[file:Exemplar - TBAF 2.doc]]
 * [[file:Exemplar - TBAF 3.doc]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - Contrast how //Inherit the Wind// and //Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike// view the concept of change.
 * [[file:Synthesis 1.docx]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 2.pdf]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 3.doc]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 4.pdf]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 5.docx]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 6.docx]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 7.docx]]
 * [[file:Synthesis 8.docx]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - Synthesize how Betty Friedan would feel about songs' lyrics in today's society.
 * [[file:Betty Friedan 1.pdf]]
 * [[file:Betty Freidan 2.doc]]
 * [[file:Betty Friedan 3.docx]]


 * ASSIGNMENT** - Synthesize your friends' thoughts and make a decision about going to a fictional movie.
 * [[file:Model - Movie Choice Synthesis.pdf]]


 * ASSIGNMENT ** - Synthesis practice with making a choice about which college to attend
 * [[file:Model - Choices Project.docx]]