Composition 11
Overarching Competencies
Students will:
Students will:
- use all stages of the writing process
- consistently edit work to avoid the Seven Deadly Sins
- organize writing with a clear introduction, sufficient support, and a strong conclusion
- choose an organizational structure and stick with it throughout the essay.
Competencies for Various Modes of Writing:
Narrative essays (about a summer experience, "This I Believe," or college essays) must have
Persuasive essays (ie. literary analysis, mini-research essays, letters to the editor, SAT essays, research essay) will demonstrate
A student's research skills, including
Narrative essays (about a summer experience, "This I Believe," or college essays) must have
- Interesting hooks and openings
- narrative elements (i.e. description, setting, dialogue)
- an event sequence
- specific details and appropriate word choice
- a powerful conclusion
- a clear, organized outline
- evidence of the student filtering "need to know" vs. "nice to know" information
- transition words
- definitions (by creating a glossary/appendix, using analogies, metaphors or similes)
- a full-circle ending
- use word choice to enhance meaning
- include sensory details
- create an impression
Persuasive essays (ie. literary analysis, mini-research essays, letters to the editor, SAT essays, research essay) will demonstrate
A student's research skills, including
- thoughtful and appropriate topic selection (scope and interest)
- the ability to locate and evaluate evidence
- the ability to take notes that enhance the student's understanding of the topic and support the chosen stance
- the ability to smoothly integrate evidence
- the ability to make decisions about internal citations vs. signal phrases
- balancing MLA/academic style vs. personal style
- the ability to establish the significance of the issue
- an understanding of an opposing argument and how to refute it
- the ability to support persuasive ideas with credible sources
- a logical conclusion and "so what?"
