Writing Tools
R.A.C.E.
Restate the question as a statement.
Answer the question.
Cite your evidence.
Explain, Elaborate, End.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER:Write a sentence using the R.A.C.E. Writing Strategy over the following question - In "Unusual Normality," what was Ishmael Baeh's background, and how did it affect his time in American public school?
Denotation
The dictionary definition of a word.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: What is the denotation of "rose"?
(Introductory) Clause
A dependent clause that provides background information or "sets the stage" for the main part of the sentence.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: Write a sentence using an (introductory) clause.
S.A.U.C.E.
Subject
Action / Linking Verb
Unified Idea
Capital letters
Ending punctuation
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: Write a sentence using the S.A.U.C.E. Writing Strategy.
Connotation
The feeling / idea attached to a word.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER:What is the connotation of a "rose"?
Dependent Clause
A group of words that contains a subject and verb but does NOT express a complete thought.
Usually start with "While" or "As".
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER:Write a sentence using a dependent clause.
Ba Da Bing!
What my feet were doing
What my eyes saw
What I thought / said
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER:Write a Ba-Da-Bing! sentence over your experience walking into school today.
Annotation
A note of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram.
CHALLENGE: On your Jeopardy Notes page, write a regular annotation of one of the terms out to the side, or employ one of the Color it Up! annotation techniques we used with Lady Bird Johnson's diary excerpt.
Independent Clause
A group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
"I went to the movie theater this weekend to see Oppenheimer."
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER:Write a sentence using an independent clause.
Pitchfork
A sentence with three parts or "prongs" added at the end.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: Using the Pitchfork strategy, create a complex sentence out of one (or more!) of these simple sentences: He ran. She laughed. The pig snorted.
Plot
The storytelling arc - The sequence of events that make up a story.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: Have we used plot in one of our assignments this semester? Explain why / why not.
Dialogue
A spoken conversation that includes at least two characters - set off in text by quotations.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to pass this Unit 1 Test," Lorna mumbled.
"Of course you will. Just remember to use your writing strategies, and you'll be golden!" Shaun replied.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: Correct the sentence on the board.
Why do we use writing tools?
To turn simple sentences into complex sentences, to defend our ideas, and to give our writing some pizzazz!
Truisms
A truth, a life lesson, a claim about people or the world.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER: Write a Truism that applies to families, friends, or hobbies.
Appositive
A noun phrase that follows another noun phrase and provides additional information about it.
My teacher, Ms. Neal, is the best Uno player in the whole wide world.
CHALLENGE / TIE-BREAKER:Write a sentence using an appositive.