2015 Writing Camp

Lets pass this test!

Welcome to Writing Camp 2015

Today you will go through six stations that
will prepare you for all of the stages of the
writing SOL from multiple choice questions
to essay writing.
Prepare to work, learn, and enjoy!

Session 1

Analyze the Question

Prompt Breakdown
Before beginning my writing, I should make sure I
understand the prompt! In order to answer the proper
questions, I need to know what it is asking of me. Prompt
analysis will help.

Analyze the Question

Your prompt today is:
There is a common saying, Dont judge a book by its cover. Think
of something that has an unattractive appearance but that has
special meaning to someone for other reasons. It might be an old
car, a well-used toy, a faded photograph, or something else. Identify
the object and explain why it has special meaning.
Place a set of brackets around all unnecessary information [like this].

It should look like...

[There is a common saying, Dont judge a book by its cover.] Think of
something that has an unattractive appearance but that has special meaning to
someone for other reasons. [It might be an old car, a well-used toy, a faded
photograph, or something else.] Identify the object and explain why it has
special meaning.

What two things are you required to answer

in your paper?

Now brainstorm...
1.
2.
3.
4.

Find your object

Describe it
Why is it important?
Think of ways to
describe its looks
(figurative language)
5. Think of ways to
illustrate (through
words) its importance

4 square time with your choice

Session 2

Introductions
There is a common saying, Dont judge a book
by its cover. Think of something that has an
unattractive appearance but that has special
meaning to someone for other reasons. It might
be an old car, a well-used toy, a faded
photograph, or something else. Identify the
object and explain why it has special meaning.

Introductions
People have certain things that mean a lot to
them even if they are ugly. I have a toy like
that. My toy is special because its something
Ive had since I was a baby and my grandma
gave it to me.

Introductions
Remember to ACT!
A = Attention grabber (hook)
C = Connecting sentence
T = Thesis

Attention Grabbers (Hooks)

Open with an exaggerated or outrageous
statement
o Everyone in the whole world has something special to
them no matter how it looks.

Open with something most people believe, but

you will prove wrong with your thesis
o Most people believe you grow out of the things you have
when you are younger.

Attention Grabbers (Hooks)

Open with a strong statement
o Special things hold a place in your heart forever.

Open with an example from the media

o In one episode of Spongebob, he had a hard time getting rid of
things that had sentimental value to him.

Open with a question

o Is there something in your life that you would have a hard time
letting go?

Reminders while writing

A= Attention grabber (hook)
C= Connecting sentence
T= Thesis
Your thesis will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS be ONE sentence!
Thesis formula: Your opinion on the topic BECAUSE reason 1
and reason 2.

Session 3

Body Paragraphs
First, Lets Review
1)
2)
3)
4)

How do you analyze the prompt?

How do you brainstorm?
What makes a good introduction?
What types of writing can you use for a hook/attention
getter?
5) What is a thesis? Why is it important?

Body Paragraphs
Men and women like to date
or marry people with
awesome bodies Well, essay graders want to read essays with
awesome bodies.

Can you piece together the puzzle?

(1) Little Foot was a gift from my grandma and my dad, both of whom are no
longer alive.
(2) Somehow, Santa got confused and delivered Little Foot to Grandmas
house (because she really bought him for me), but the two made me believe
it was all done on purpose.
(3) My Little Foot may not look beautiful, but he is very important to me.
(4) From Christmas day on long into the future, I slept with Little Foot every
night.
(5) When my dad tucked me in, he pretended to make Little Foot voices and
they always made me laugh.
(6) When I was two, my dad and grandma worked together to convince me
that Santa brought me this awesome stuffed animal named Little Foot.
(7) In conclusion, some people might think Little Foot looks a little ratty and
old, but to me he is a picture of love and comfort.
(8) So, now that both Dad and Grandma are not able to physically be a part of
my life, when I look at Little Foot I feel how close they are to me.

Did you get the right order?

(3) My Little Foot may not look beautiful, but he is very important to me. (1)
Little Foot was a gift from my grandma and my dad, both of whom are no
longer alive. (7) When I was two, my dad and grandma worked together to
convince me that Santa brought me this awesome stuffed animal named Little
Foot. (2) Somehow, Santa got confused and delivered Little Foot to Grandmas
house (because she really bought him for me), but the two made me believe it
was all done on purpose. (4) From Christmas day on long into the future, I slept
with Little Foot every night. (8) When my dad tucked me in, he pretended to
make Little Foot voices and they always made me laugh. (6) So, now that both
Dad and Grandma are not able to physically be a part of my life, when I look at
Little Foot I feel how close they are to me. (7) In conclusion, some people might
think Little Foot looks a little ratty and old, but to me he is a picture of love and
comfort.
Order - 3, 1, 7, 2, 4, 8, 6, 7

TRIC is the trick to a great body paragraph

1)

Topic Sentence - directly connects to your thesis and tells what the whole
paragraph will be about

2)

Reinforcing idea- clearly states your purpose for the paragraph

a. If needed start with what I mean is

3)

Illustration - Give an example, personal experience, statistic, or made up

story to prove your point
b. A good illustration should be 3-4 sentences AT LEAST.

4)

Conclusion - Wrap up your paragraph - connect back to your topic

sentence

Does this paragraph follow TRIC?

My Little Foot may not look beautiful, but he is very important to me. Little Foot was a gift from my
grandma and my dad, both of whom are no longer alive. When I was two, my dad and grandma
worked together to convince me that Santa brought me this awesome stuffed animal named Little
Foot. Somehow, Santa got confused and delivered Little Foot to Grandmas house (because she really
bought him for me), but the two made me believe it was all done on purpose. From Christmas day on
long into the future, I slept with Little Foot every night. When my dad tucked me in, he pretended to
make Little Foot voices and they always made me laugh. So, now that both Dad and Grandma are not
able to physically be a part of my life, when I look at Little Foot I feel how close they are to me. In
conclusion, some people might think Little Foot looks a little ratty and old, but to me he is a picture of
love and comfort.

Time to Write
Use your thesis to develop your first body paragraph
Be sure to follow the model and the TRIC format
Make your illustration detailed - 3 or more sentences

Sharing is Caring
If there is time, lets share with a partner.
As you read your partners, can you identify
the TRIC elements?

Session 4

Review
What did you talk about last session?
What did you learn?

TRIC isnt a trick

What is the format of a good body
paragraph?
Lets Review...

TRIC is the trick to a great body paragraph

1)

Topic Sentence - directly connects to your thesis and tells what the whole
paragraph will be about

2)

Reinforcing idea- clearly states your purpose for the paragraph

a. If needed start with what I mean is

3)

Illustration - Give an example, personal experience, statistic, or made up

story to prove your point
b. A good illustration should be 3-4 sentences AT LEAST.

4)

Conclusion - Wrap up your paragraph - connect back to your topic

sentence

Time to Write
Use your thesis to develop your SECOND
body paragraph
Be sure to follow the TRIC format
Make your illustration vivid and detailed - 3
or more sentences

How do we make our body

paragraphs shine bright?
What transition words can you add?
What figurative language can you add?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Hyperbole
Imagery

Session 5

Conclusions
How you end your essay is just as important
as how you start!

Think about it!!!

Does anyone REALLY remember who
started the race the fastest
OR
Do they remember who finished the best?!

Application
Conclusions with STRONG endings leave a
LASTING impression
ITS THE REMEMBER ME PARAGRAPH

HERES HOW YOU DO IT

Think about RAT!
Restate the THESIS Statement
Appeal to the Emotions
Thought-Provoking Statement

The First Part, Last

Ways to Restate the Thesis Statement:
State your reasons from your thesis
statement at the beginning of the
sentence
Use synonyms to replace certain words
from your thesis

Appeal to Emotions
Make the reader feel personally connected to
or influenced by what you have written
about
An I feel.. sentence

Thought-Provoking Statement
WOW that reader!!! What insight related to
your topic could you offer the reader?
An I think sentence

Sprinkle Time!
Sprinkle in a transition word to link the
Conclusion Paragraph to all the others!
PICK ONE:
All in all

Consequently

To Sum Up

For these reasons

Overall

In Conclusion

Clearly

Thus

DO NOT.

Start a new topic of conversation

Add in a new detail
Get off topic
Repeat yourself
...but do SUMMARIZE what you have
already said!

Your Turn!!!
1. Using the prompt, write your own
conclusion paragraph!

Example
In conclusion, this doll is important to me
for various reasons. The doll was a
comforting friend and taught me to love
myself. Even as I grow older by the day, the
worn out doll sits by my window sill with a
beaming smile and memories tangled in its
hair.

Another Example
All in all, my teddy bear reminds me of
my grandmother, and makes me happy. Its
special to me, and even though its not Mr.
Teddy Bear Two Thousand Fifteen, it
doesnt matter.. Just because an object isnt
the prettiest thing in the world, it doesnt
mean that its not valuable to someone.

Session 6

Editing/Revision/Scoring
Compare and contrast essay 1 (score 2) and
essay 2 (score 3)
What can you do to move your essay to the
next level?