Essay Writing
READING: The Best Minutes of Your Whole Day
Take Me Out to the Ballgame...
Fun is Overrated EXCEPT...
...When it comes to GRAMMAR!
100

What should you do when asked to provide evidence when writing an essay?

Use direct quotes (words in quotation marks) from the given selections.

100

Define fiction and nonfiction

Fiction is made-up writing

Nonfiction is made up of real facts and events

100

What is Mudville?

The fictional town where the poem "Casey at the Bat takes place.

100

How many parts of speech are there? 

8

100

What part of speech is the simple subject? 

Noun or pronoun

200

Why is support (reasoning) important after evidence? 

The support you give explains how the evidence supports your argument.

200

What is an inference?

An inference is drawing a conclusion based on what you have read. It is NOT a guess.

200

How do the fans view Casey throughout the poem? 

They worship him like a god or idol, and expect him to get a home run.

200

What is an independent clause? 

A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a sentence

200

What part of speech is the simple predicate? 

Verb

300

What is the difference between a topic sentence and a thesis statement?

A topic sentence introduces one paragraph's main idea while a thesis statement introduces the entire essay's main idea.

300

What lesson does "All Summer in a Day" teach? 

It teaches us that when we don't have empathy, we treat others very poorly.

300

When and why do some fans get up to leave?

They leave in the 9th inning because they think Casey won't get a chance to bat, and because their team is losing.

300

What is a dependent clause? 

A group of words with a subject and predicate that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence

300

What is a linking verb? 

A verb that links (or connects) the simple subject to a descriptor word in the predicate

400

What is the order of sentences in a body paragraph?

topic sentence, support, evidence from the selection, support, closing sentence

400

What idea does "Harrison Bergeron" teach? 

The idea of equality and what happens when forced equality goes too far.

400

What word best describes Casey when he is up to bat?

Arrogant

400

What do you create if you put a dependent clause by itself? 

A fragment

400

What is a verb phrase? 

The main verb plus helping verbs
500

In addition to supporting your own argument in an argumentative essay, what must you also do? 

You must address and respond to the opposing argument (counterclaim).

500

What is the tone of "Harrison Bergeron"? That is, how does the author feel about the idea of forced equality?

He is suggesting that forced equality can go too far and be harmful and unfair.

500

Give a basic outline of the story "Casey at the Bat."

Mudville is losing, two players get on base unexpectedly, Casey comes to bat, the crowd expects victory, Casey strikes out.

500

What is the difference between a fragment and a run-on sentence? 

A fragment is only a part of a sentence.

A run-on is two or more sentences combined incorrectly.

500

Some verbs can be both a linking or a helping. How do you know if a verb is a helping verb or a linking verb? 

If it is a helping verb, it will NOT be the main verb.  If it is a linking verb, it will act as the main verb.