I am somebody Works Cited

Today we will need to create the Works Cited page for the "I am somebody" essay. There are many resources online to help you create citations. We will use a Google Chrome extension to help us in this class, so we need to download the extension.

Go to the following link to download the Google Chrome extension "Cite This For Me"
Once you have the extension, it will appear on your tool bar beside the web address. The icon looks like this: 

The requirements for the Works Cited page are as follows:

• contains at least three credible outside sources

• correctly formatted (MLA format, correctly punctuated and capitalized, double-spaced, labeled, alphabetized, and on a page by itself)

Today, you will need to create your Works Cited page to give credit for the research you used. Once you finish that, begin editing your essay. Read through it and make everything perfect. Check for spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. 

Revising for Formal Style

             
The Rules of Formal Writing

Complex – Longer sentences are likely to be more prevalent in formal writing. You need to be as thorough as possible with your approach to each topic when you are using a formal style. Each main point needs to be introduced, elaborated and concluded.

Objective – State main points confidently and offer full support arguments. A formal writing style shows a limited range of emotions and avoids emotive punctuation such as exclamation points, ellipsis, etc., unless they are being cited from another source.

Full Words – No contractions should be used to simplify words (in other words use "It is" rather than "It's").  Abbreviations must be spelt out in full when first used, the only exceptions being when the acronym is better known than the full name (BBC, ITV or NATO for example).

Third Person – Formal writing is not a personal writing style.  The formal writer is disconnected from the topic and does not use the first person point of view (I or we) or second person (you).

The following pronouns CAN NOT be used in formal style:

• First Person          I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours
• Second Person      you, your, yours, (y’all)

 The following pronouns CAN be used in formal style:

• Third Person he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, they, them, their, theirs, its

Find more at: http://www.skillsyouneed.com/write/formal-or-informal.html#ixzz434Kt1rLQ

Today, you should work with your partner to completely revise your paper to make sure it is in formal style. You and your partner should read through your paper completely and make revisions according to the requirements above. Remember, formal style will be graded thoroughly when you turn in this essay. 

I Am Somebody Project

-Lily Tomlin

We will be starting a new project this week called the "I Am Somebody" Project. You will work to support a solution for the problem you wrote your expository book about. This project will be an exercise in considering others and their needs, rather than our own. You will need to consider what cause will support the problem in your expository book, how you can support them, and how you can convince others to do the same.  You will be working with a partner throughout this project. We will complete all requirements in class together over the next few weeks. There will be a research/writing assignment as well as a multi-media presentation. The requirements for both are below:

Written Essay 

*Each of the following requirements is worth five points* 

Introduction

• includes an attention-grabbing hook

• a brief summary of the problem using research from your expository book

• includes a thesis that clearly states the topic and the author’s opinion of the topic

• lists two different logical reasons that support the thesis

Body Paragraph (each person in a partnership/group is responsible for writing one body paragraph)

• focuses on a single point

• each point is logical and clearly supports the thesis

• includes a clear topic sentence (introducing the point)

• includes at least three supporting detail sentences

• includes at least two outside facts or examples within the supporting details that clearly support each reason

• includes a closing sentence that summarizes and brings the paragraph to a close

• lists reasons (one per paragraph) in the same order as the introduction

Conclusion 

• restates the thesis

• relists reasons

• gives a clear call to action

Works Cited 

• contains at least three credible outside sources

• correctly formatted (correctly punctuated and capitalized, double-spaced, labeled, alphabetized, and on a page by itself)

Vocabulary

• maintains a formal style (not conversational, avoids talking to the reader or about the essay, etc.)

• essay does not use the following: I, you, my, us, we, our, your, mine, yours, ours

Transitions

• uses transitions appropriately between sentences and paragraphs to clarify the relationships between ideas

Conventions (10 points)

• contains no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or word usage 

Multi-Media Presentation 

This is your chance to show your creativity and “sell” your cause!  Design a multi-media presentation (including images, graphics, music, etc.) that clarifies the information in your speech and compels your audience to take action. The requirements for your presentation are listed below: 

• Multi-media presentation includes an extensive variety (5-8 slides) of images and/or other graphics (charts, graphs, maps, etc.) that clarify the information included in your essay.

OPTIONAL: Include music/sound that appropriately enhances the effect.

• Multi-media presentation includes persuasive sentences to compel your audience to support your cause (could include facts/statistics, questions, etc.).

• Multi-media presentation includes a credits page citing web addresses for images and other graphics found online.

• Speaker pronounces words clearly.

• Speaker makes eye contact with audience throughout the presentation.

• Speaker projects voice loudly enough to be heard.

• Speaker uses pauses effectively (doesn’t rush).

• Speaker demonstrates understanding of the topic (pronounces words correctly, explains ideas accurately, is able to answer basic questions).

• Speaker appears well-rehearsed (presentation flows smoothly, speaker doesn’t stumble over words or forget parts to presentation, etc.)

• Listener pays close attention to each presentation and does nothing to distract other audience members.

English Benchmark

We will take this English benchmark test online. Make sure you read each question and all of the answer choices carefully. See the directions below:

• Click on the link below
• Enter the room number posted on the board
• Type your name: (last name, first name) 

3rd Nine Weeks Benchmark Test

Once you finish your test, you will continue working on the creative writing narrative you started on Wednesday. Students are required to write their story from this picture prompt and tell the story behind this picture. This picture may represent the beginning, middle, or end of your story. It should include characters, a good plot, and avoid "dead" verbs whenever possible. You may be able to use some suspense strategies, too! Your story should have the proper English heading and be titled "Creative Writing-Gray" with your own creative title underneath.The story should be at least 2 pages in length. 

Persuading Commercials

Expository Test/Creative Writing

We will take this test online. Make sure you read each question and all of the answer choices carefully. See the directions below:

• Click on the link below
• Enter the room number posted on the board
• Type your name: (last name, first name) 

Socrative-Expository Elements Test

Once you finish your test, you will work on a creative writing narrative. Students are required to write their story from this picture prompt and tell the story behind this picture. This picture may represent the beginning, middle, or end of your story. It should include characters, a good plot, and avoid "dead" verbs whenever possible. You may be able to use some suspense strategies, too! Your story should have the proper English heading and be titled "Creative Writing-Gray" with your own creative title underneath.The story should be at least 2 pages in length. 

You will have time to finish this story on Friday after the ELA benchmark test. 

Caught Ya Grammar

If you misplace the CYG sheets given to you in class, you can print out new ones from the links below.

Caught Ya Grammar 2/27-3/6
Caught Ya Grammar 3/13-3/20

We took notes on expository elements a few weeks ago. We will have a test on it tomorrow. If you misplaced your notes, you can print a new copy below.

Expository Text Notes