Writing at TWCP
Advanced Placement
Reminders for overall writing:
Follow the TWCP paragraph format for papers
Understand all components of essay writing
Know what the purpose of the reading passage & writing
Know the rhetorical devices: diction, imagery,
details,figurative language, and syntax (DIDLS)
Be sure to use the class handbook (yellow pages) to reference
punctuation rules, capitalization rules, transitions, syntax
(tropes/schemes), purpose & modes of writing, and other
issues as they arise
Know the use of quotation marks or italics when applied to
titles: book or drama titles get italicized or underlined;
poems, essays and short stories get quotation marks
Writing at TWCP
Advanced Placement
More reminders for overall writing:
Know how to use pronouns: singular noun then you use
singular pronouns he/she/him/her NOT their which is plural;
pronouns always require an antecedent before using them
Know the difference in using any of the following words:
amount vs. number; effect vs. affect; between vs. among
Avoid misplaced modifiers
REMEMBER YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT WRITING
NOT WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE. YOU WILL
NOT WRITE ABOUT LITERARY ELEMENTS.
TWCP Paragraph Format
Follow this format for thesis & body paragraphs:
Introduction – must have minimum of thesis statement; thesis
must include author name/title, devices for body paragraphs,
and either writer attitude, position, or argument
Body Paragraphs (ALWAYS 2)
Topic Sentence (TS) – know which components to include
Evidence – same as concrete detail; embed quote; quote must
Support what is claimed in topic sentence
Commentary (CM) – same as elaboration; eventually try to
get 2-3 sets/sentences in order to make a higher score
Evidence – same as concrete detail; embed quote; quote must
Support what is claimed in topic sentence
Commentary – same as elaboration; eventually try to
get 2-3 sets in order to make a higher score
Closing Sentence – closes up the paragraph, look at TS
Writing Issues
Avoid the following:
1st and 2nd person pronouns
slang or informal word choice – especially be aware not to use
any of these: a lot, bunches, kinda, sort of, kids (unless you are
writing about baby goats), and like as a comparison
contractions
abbreviations
using writer's first name only
misspelling the writer's name
writing on the back of the paper
writing in pencil or colored ink
THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL LIST. MAKING THESE
MISTAKES WILL COST YOU POINTS.
Analysis & Commentary
Figurative Language Analysis Commentary:
Which type of figurative language does the writer use?
(REQUIRED COMMENTARY)
How does it function? What is being compared, humanized,
exaggerated, etc.?
Drawing on these connections, how does the writer support the
purpose, view, or tone?
Why did the writer use this type of figurative language?
Most common types of figurative language found for analysis are
metaphor, simile, personification, allusion, and hyperbole.
Irony is a special type of figurative language that can be treated
as a separate, special device.
Analysis & Commentary
Imagery Analysis Commentary:
Which image is created by the writer and to which sense(s) does
it appeal?
How does this image contribute to the writer's attitude, purpose,
or position?
Why did the writer include this image What does it add to the
writing?
What does the imagery create in the reader?
Analysis & Commentary
Diction Analysis Commentary:
Which word/words (no more than 2 or 3)?
What relationship do they share?
What is the normal association of the word compared to its use in
the passage? What ambiguity or irony or incongruity does the
word/words suggest? What images, stereotypes, emotions are
attached to the word/words
How does the use of such word/words contribute to the writer's
purpose/view?
Remember to differentiate between denotation and connotation.
Analysis & Commentary
Details Analysis Commentary:
Why is the detail important? To what does it refer? What does
it describe?
How does the inclusion of this fact contribute to the writer's
purpose/view/purpose?
(omitted details)
What detail is obviously omitted from the passage?
How does omitting the detail have a greater effect than including
it? How does this omission contribute to the writer's purpose/
view/tone?
THIS DEVICE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR EFFECTIVE
ARGUMENTS.
Analysis & Commentary
Syntax Analysis Commentary:
Which type of syntax does the writer use? (rhetorical question,
repetition, parallel structure, antithesis, polysyndeton,
asyndeton, etc.)
How does the syntactical device function within the sentence,
paragraph, or passage?
How does this structure contribute to the effectiveness of the
speech or to the purpose/view/tone of the writer?
Analysis & Commentary
Argument Appeals Commentary:
Logos: focus on the logical approach and reasoning of the
argument and the facts/examples; effective, strong arguments
must contain this appeal; in analyzing arguments logos is
presented under details because facts/examples are considered
details; think about why the fact/example is important to the
argument, why include it, what is the effect on audience
Ethos: focus on the reliability, knowledge, and credibility of the
writer; also ethos can be writer use of values, ethics/laws, or
religion and this is commentary under a variety of rhetorical
devices; think about how the writer's use of evidence related
to values, ethics/laws, or religion effects the audience
Analysis & Commentary
Argument Appeals Commentary:
Pathos: focus on the emotional gimmicks used by the writer; the
writer creates pathos in the audience—what emotions does the
writer intend to elicit from the audience, what reactions does
the audience have, why is the emotional response important to
the argument; writers generally use figurative language,
imagery, and diction to create emotions
NOTE WRITERS USE LOGOS AND ETHOS, BUT THEY
CREATE PATHOS. BIG DIFFERENCE.