Writing Skills

Informative Essays

100

For the FSA, informative essays are structured as follows:

introduction, three supporting paragraphs, & a conclusion

200

The most important part of an informative essay is that it remains...

Objective

300

The purpose of an informative essay is...

to inform or educate on a certain topic

400

You can write about a controversial topic, so long as you don't choose a...

side 

500

A clear, specific statement of what you plan to share in your essay. It explains, supports, or clarifies a main point.

Thesis

Argumentative Essays

100

For the FSA, argumentative essays are structured as follows:

 introduction, two supporting paragraphs, rebuttal paragraph, & a conclusion

200

Unlike persuasive essays which are based on emotion, argumentative essays are based on...

Logic

300

This statement that is always debatable or in other words, has two sides, is important in establishing your argument.

Claim

400

You should always address the opposing side in a...

counter argument or counterclaim

500

This paragraph, unique to the argumentative essay, addresses the opposing side only to prove it wrong.

Rebuttal Paragraph

Intros & Conclusions

100

This should never be introduced in a conclusion.

New information.

200

This statement found at the beginning of an introduction is used to grab the reader's attention. 

Hook

300

This is typically given to give context about the topic of your essay so your reader can better understand.

Background Information

400

The two purposes of a conclusion are to:

restate/ reinforce and leave an impression on your reader

500

This statement should tell the reader what to expect in your essay. 

Claim or thesis

Body Paragraphs

100

Typically there are this many body paragraphs.

3

200

Facts, quotes, examples, and statistics are all examples of...

Evidence

300

If you have one "E", you must have the other "E" for full points. 

(Hint: this is a category on the FSA rubric). 

Evidence and Elaboration

400

This type of phrase is used to introduce evidence in a body paragraph. 

(Hint: an example of this type of phrase is "According to...")

Signal Phrase

500

This shows how your evidence supports your claim or thesis

Elaboration

Citations & Rules

100

The last category on the FSA rubric worth 2 points is...

Conventions of Standard English

200

You should never write in this type of point of view

1st and 2nd person

300

An author's (blank) is the first thing you should include in a parenthetical citation. 

Last name

400

In a narrative citation, only the (blank) goes in the parenthetical at the end.

Paragraph number

500

Words can be plagiarized but so can...

ideas