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Punctuation
Writing Rubrics
Narratives
Explanatory Essays
Arguments
100
To truly understand punctuation, you need to understand these clauses.
What are independent and dependent clauses. (Bonus: What is the difference between the two?)
100
If you forget to include an introduction or conclusion, or if either is weak, you will earn this grade.
What is approaching standards?
100
This is the turning point in the story, typically the most exciting or suspenseful part of the plot.
What is the climax?
100
In an explanatory essay, this is what we call the controlling idea.
What is a thesis statement?
100
In an argument, this is what we call the controlling idea.
What is a claim?
200
Learning about commas is complicated, but necessary for success. Is the comma in this sentence used correctly? Why or why not?
No. You only use a comma before a conjunction if the clause after the conjunction is independent.
200
If you jump from topic to topic, without smoothly transitioning, you will earn this grade.
What is approaching standards?
200
This is the part of the plot where the problem is resolved.
What is the denouement?
200
This is the purpose of an explanatory essay.
What is to inform and explain?
200
This acknowledges our opponent's point of view or perspective.
What is a counter argument?
300
My favorite teacher Ms. Pearlman is exceptionally brilliant. These are the three ways one could punctuate this sentence.
What is 1. Use a comma before and after Ms. Pearlman. 2. Use parentheses around Ms. Pearlman. 3. Use a dash before and after Ms. Pearlman. (Bonus: What's the difference between a dash and a hyphen?)
300
These are the two ways to transition.
What is use a transition word or phrase AND repeat a key word, phrase, or idea from the previous sentence? (Bonus: To be effective, where should transitions appear?)
300
This is the part of the plot where the setting and characters are introduced.
What is the exposition?
300
These are conclusions we draw as we read, as we interpret the information presented by the author.
What is an inference?
300
This refutes your opponent's point of view or perspective.
What is a rebuttal?
400
Last summer my sister Missy and I drove to Dallas Texas stopping in Tucson Las Cruces El Paso and Abilene along the way. How many commas does this sentence need, and where do they need to go?
What is eight? 1. After summer. 2. After sister. 3. After Missy. 4. After Dallas. 5. After Texas. 6. After Tucson. 7. After Las Cruces. 8. After El Paso.
400
Regardless of genre, all essays require the author to explain him or herself thoroughly, using detail and description, which is also known as this.
What is elaboration?
400
This drives the entire plot. Without it, you don't have a story.
What is the conflict? (Bonus: A story only has one conflict, but there might be smaller, related problems throughout the story to build excitement or suspense. What are those smaller problems called?)
400
In Ms. Pearlman's class, this is the ideal idea/fact ratio.
What is 3:1 - 5:1? (Bonus: Explain the difference between an idea and fact.)
400
This is what we call the facts, statistics, analogies, and anecdotes we use to support the controlling idea in an argument.
What is evidence?
500
These are the three ways to connect two independent clauses.
1. Use a semicolon. 2. Use a comma before a conjunction. 3. Use a colon. (Bonus: If you use a colon, what MUST be true about the independent clauses?)
500
1. Play the "So What" Game. 2. Synthesize, don't summarize. 3. Include a provocative insight. 4. Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or a question for further study. 5. Point to broader implications.
What are conclusion strategies? (Bonus: Name two introduction strategies.)
500
Narratives don't have a controlling idea. There isn't one sentence to explain the purpose or point. Instead, this is the central idea, the purpose or point of your story.
What is the theme? (Bonus: To be effective, a theme needs to be this...)
500
These are the sentences that explain how the information from your source connect to your topic sentence.
What is commentary?
500
These three appeals come from Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist.
What are ethos, logos, and pathos? (Bonus: What does each word mean?)