Academy of Notre Dame Junior School
Writing Survival Guide
1. Header: The opening page to your essay should use the format shown below:
A creative title is expected
2. Appropriate level writing skills:
a. Topic sentence for each paragraph with at least 3 – 5 sentences per paragraph.
b. Incorporation of new vocabulary words.
c. Use of vivid verbs – see attachment for examples.
d. Utilization of different types of sentences: simple, compound and complex.
e. Appropriate transition words for the different types of writing – see attachment
for examples.
f. Appropriate transition words from one paragraph to another paragraph.
g. Proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, and punctuation are important components of
all edited and drafted papers. These elements may be included in grading rubrics and
scores for such written pieces.
3. Creativity
4. Use of the writing process: prewriting; drafting; revising; editing and proofreading;
publishing and presenting
5. Required visit to the Writing Center during the writing process for each piece of formal
writing.
Different Types of Writing and the Matching Transition Words and Phrases
This list of words and phrases are some that are commonly used in different types of writing.
Narrative:
recently, before, previously, then, afterwards, finally, when, at least, after,
subsequently, in the beginning, last, first, second, third, etc.
Descriptive:
size, color, shape, purpose, length, width, weight, speed, is like, resembles, in, above,
below, beside, near, north, east, south, west
Expository:
Is kind of, is a type of, belongs to, is a part of, fits into, is grouped with, is related to, is
associated with, can be divided into, because, since, as a result of, is due to, therefore, thus,
consequently, hence
Persuasive:
In my opinion, I think that, I consider, I believe, it seems to me, I prefer, like, dislike,
hope, feel, idea, belief, understanding
Aimed
Anticipated
Arranged
Backtrack
Ballooned
Bamboozled
Bandaged
Baptized
Blare
Blasted
Bloom
Blotted
Blow
Blur
Blush
Boiled
Bolted
Botched
Bounded
Brace
Breathe
Breeze
Brush
Bulldozed
Bullied
Burped
Buzz
Chafe
Char
Chase
Chastised
Chattered
Cheapened
Cheat
Cherished
Chill
Chomp
Choose
Chop
Chuckled
Clamp
Click
Climb
Clipped
Clog
Close
Cluck
Clue
Clutch
Clutter
Conducted
Consoled
Construct
Crack
Craft
Cramp
Crawled
Creak
Crease
Creep
Crest
Crooned
Cross
Crouch
Crowd
Cruise
Crush
Cultivated
Decorated
Delved
Demolish
Despised
Devoured
Disciplined
Doused
Drag
Drained
Drape
Dreaded
Dream
Drift
Drill
POWER VERBS
Drum
Gnaw
Dry
Gobbled
Dusted
Goofed
Dwell
Grab
Eased
Grace
Ejected
Graft
Enfolded
Grasp
Enveloped Grated
Erased
Grind
Evaporated Grinned
Fired
Gripe
Flagged
Groan
Flaked
Grope
Flank
Growled
Flap
Grumble
Flash
Guarantee
Flatten
Guffawed
Flattered
Gurgled
Flaunt
Hammered
Flee
Harvested
Fleece
Hauled
Flex
Hiccupped
Flipped
Howled
Flirted
Humiliated
Float
Irritated
Flock
Jabbed
Floor
Juggled
Flow
Leaped
Fluff
Lumbered
Focused
Lunge
Free
Lure
Fret
Magnified
Frisk
Manipulate
Frolicked
Meandered
Frosted
Measured
Froth
Mimic
Frown
Muttered
Fry
Mystified
Fudge
Nibbled
Fuel
Nudge
Giggled
Ogled
Peered
Piggyback
Plead
Please
Plow
Plucked
Plunge
Poached
Pounded
Praised
Pranced
Raged
Ransacked
Reassured
Recorded
Rejoiced
Relished
Rescued
Ring
Ripped
Roared
Rocked
Sabotaged
Sanded
Sassed
Sauntered
Scald
Scale
Scam
Scan
Scare
Scold
Scoured
Scout
Scraped
Scratched
Scream
Scribbled
Scrubbed
Shake
Shame
Shrieked
Shrugged
Shuddered
Side-stepped
Slipped
Skimp
Slammed
Slimed
Slithered
Smell
Smirked
Smite
Snake
Snap
Snarled
Snatch
Sneak
Sneer
Sneezed
Snip
Snoozed
Spin
Spit
Spite
Splattered
Spliced
Splurged
Sponged
Spray
Sprinted
Spur
Squat
Squeeze
Squelch
Squint
Squirt
Stack
Stage
Stalk
Stall
Stash
Stoop
Strained
Stretched
Strike
Stripped
Strode
Studied
Stuffed
Stun
Swat
Swell
Swipe
Switch
Thawed
Throttled
Thundered
Tickled
Tip-toed
Toasted
Trap
Trespassed
Trucked
Trudge
Tucked
Twine
Twisted
Twitched
Viewed
Vindicated
Volunteer
Waltzed
Weighed
Whine
Whirl
Whiz
Wiggled
wiped
Wisecrack
Withered
Wormed
Worship
THOUGHT TRANSITIONS
FOR FLUENCY
To show a time or sequence:
After
Next
Approximately
Before then
First of all
During
Suddenly
Earlier
As soon as
Continuously
Originally
At the onset
Primarily
Beforehand
All along
In the course of
Spontaneously
Finally
At the same time
Sometime before
Then
In a few minutes
Meanwhile
Later
Presently
Initially
Afterwards
Sequentially
Chronologically
Opening with
The secondary
Hitherto
Till now
In the interim
Subsequently
In the first place
Years ago
In the past
Last year
Next term
Currently
Beyond that
Eventually
Following
Yesterday
Without letup
Let’s set in motion
In progression
Heretofore
For the duration
In the aftermath
In the near future
Immediately after
Formerly
Amid this
Recently
Previously
Ultimately
Just before
Coming after
At a later date
In the end
From its inception
Prior to
In the course of
For this occasion
In an instant
For a time
To compare (same):
In comparison
In like manner
Likewise
Coupled with
Equally
This resembles
Identical to
Just the same
Agreeable
In unison
Consistent with
In similar fashion
Similarly
In the same vein
Synonymous with
Parallel to
Everything in common
Closely related to
This reflects
In the same way
In relation to
In harmony with
Compared to
The same as
Equally important…
Akin to
In accordance
Representative of
Corresponding to
Identically
Coincidentally
To some extent
This concurs with
All are
As well as
…have in common
Coinciding with
As it were
Congruent with
Comparable to
On equal terms
A constant is
In tune with
APPEAL TO THE SENSES
SOUND/HEARING:
Drip
Weep
Squawk
Howl
Hooting
Racket
Pop
Rustle
Squish
Blast
Laughter
Ka-boom
Chime
Guffaw
Knock
Click
Splash
Lisp
Wheeze
Zing
Whimper
Yelp
Yell
Shout
Bray
Tick
Fizz
Whack
Boom
Snore
Blare
Buzzer
Yippee
Burg
Clank
Boo
Whisper
Woof
Hiss
Groan
Scream
Noise
Yodel
Outburst
Purr
Sizzle
Thump
Clap
Rumble
Clang
Alarm
Chuckle
Fart
Rattle
Hoot
Yelp
Chirp
Moan
Squeal
Shriek
Echo
Whoop
Bellow
Babble
Heartbeat
Thud
Siren
Thunder
Ring
Crunch
Giggle
Hiccup
Plunk
Shush
Snarl
Tweet
Gasp
Ouch
Screech
Bawling
Uproar
Pitch
Gurgle
Mutter
Zap
Honk
Gunfire
Bells
Scrunch
Smack
Cough
Grunt
Sneezed
Growl
Cluck
Quiet
Hum
Sigh
Drone
Murmur
Audible
Muzzle
Muffle
Earshot
Bang
Cheer
Peal
Squeak
Choke
Snort
Drumming
Jeer
Bark
Quack
Bleat
Bluster
Chatter
Clamor
Explode
Wail
Hubbub
Musical
Mute
Sob
Revving
Whistle
Taunt
Discord
Cry
Bedlam
Drawl
Whine
Twitter
Icy
Twinge
Scratch
Cut
Shiver
Sprain
Suffer
Rub
Stroke
Nip
Tear
Maul
Lukewarm
Wound
Burning
Itch
Pet
Bleeding
Pamper
Kiss
Fever
Grasp
Caress
Brush
Hairy
Splitting
Tickle
Hug
Fondle
Gash
Ulcer
Gnaw
Flushed
Balmy
Sweat
Blister
Silky
Tingle
Cuddle
Spasm
Ache
Stimulate
Stinging
Massage
Pinch
Scald
Slash
Blush
Fragile
Rough
Cramp
Bruise
Bump
Headache
Hurt
Punch
Grab
Clutch
Grope
Bristle
Mushy
Soft
Spoiled
Arthritic
Pounding
Throb
Prick
Sharp
Tough
Spongy
Slimy
Stiff
TOUCH:
Brittle
Smooth
Pang
Scrape
Puncture
Raw
Sore
Bite
Grip
Sweltering
Sun-baked
Perspire
PSSA Domain Rubric for Writing
Domain Descriptions
Focus
The single
controlling
point made
with an
awareness of
task (mode)
about a
specific topic
Content
The presence of
ideas developed
through facts;
examples,
anecdotes,
details, opinions,
statistics,
reasons, and/or
explanations
Organization
The order
developed and
sustained within
and across
paragraphs using
transitional
devices and
including
introduction and
conclusion
Style
The choice, use
and
arrangement of
words
arrangement of
words and
sentence
structures that
create tone and
voice
Conventions
Grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
Domain Scoring Points and Descriptions
PL
Focus
Content
Organization
4
Sharp, distinct
controlling
point made
about a single
topic with
evident
awareness of
task
Substantial,
specific; and/or
illustrative
content
demonstrating
strong
development and
sophisticated
ideas
Sophisticated
arrangement of
content with
evident and/or
subtle transitions
3
Apparent
point made
about a single
topic with
sufficient
awareness of
task (mode)
Sufficiently
developed
content with
adequate
elaboration or
explanation
Functional
arrangement of
content that
sustains a logical
order with some
evidence of
transitions
2
No apparent
point but
evidence of a
specific topic
Limited content
with inadequate
elaboration or
explanation
Confused or
inconsistent
arrangement of
content with or
without attempts
at transition
1
Minimal
evidence of a
topic
Superficial
and/or minimal
content
Minimal control
of intent
arrangement
Style
Precise,
illustrative use
of a variety of
words and
sentence
structures to
create
consistent
writer's voice
and tone
Generic use of
a variety of
words and
sentence
structures that
may or may not
create writer's
voice and tone
appropriate to
audience
Limited word
choice and
control of
sentence
structures that
inhibit voice
and tone
Minimal
variety in word
choice and
minimal
control of
sentence
structures
Conventions
Evident control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
Sufficient
control of
grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
Limited control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
Minimal control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation