Just to Make Sure You’ve Got It!
1. My favorite song on Adele’s album 25 is When
We Were Young.
2. Some students in ballet class will have roles in
Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy from the
Nutcracker Suite.
3. Our group is studying Walter de la Mare’s poem
The Listeners.
4. One of my favorite episodes of Star Trek was
called The Trouble with Tribbles.
5. In the history book Across the Centuries, there’s
a chapter called Colonial Americans - - How They
Lived.
Just to Make Sure You’ve Got It!
1. My favorite song on Adele’s album 25 is “When
We Were Young.”
2. Some students in ballet class will have roles in
“Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” from the
Nutcracker Suite.
3. Our group is studying Walter de la Mare’s poem
“The Listeners.”
4. One of my favorite episodes of Star Trek was
called “The Trouble with Tribbles.”
5. In the history book Across the Centuries, there’s
a chapter called “Colonial Americans - - How
They Lived.”
time to become the teacher!
()
Sp. = spelling mistake
= = capitalization needed
= close gap
circle with VT = verb tense
FS = fragment sentence
R = run-on
Awk. = Awkward wording
¶ = new paragraph
 = indent
TS = missing topic sentence
WE = weak example
WA = weak analysis
Why did you get this score?
Justify your grade on the back of your paper. Be sure to use
wording from the rubric in your answers.
*Pull specific examples from your essay to support your point.*
Read the following quotation.
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past.
—Tryon Edwards
Sometimes changing your behavior is the only way to make up
for a past mistake. Think carefully about this statement.
Write an essay explaining how actions can be more powerful
than words.
Be sure to —
• clearly state your thesis
• organize and develop your ideas effectively
• choose your words carefully
• edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Words are often not enough to effectively
communicate an individual’s intentions; only actions can
reveal a person’s true character. In Homer’s epic poem The
Odyssey, Odysseus’ words alone would not have been
enough to convince his kingdom, his son, or even his wife
that he was home after 20 years lost at sea. Instead of using
rhetoric, Odysseus proves his identity with action – stringing
his bow and shooting an arrow through 12 axe handles.
Anyone can claim to be a certain way, but actions reveal
whether a person’s words have merit. Odysseus’ actions are
what allow him to claim his rightful spot as the king of
Ithaca; simple words would have actually put him in danger
of the suitors. People believe what they see, not always
what they hear. Actions provide the credibility and follow
through that words simply cannot.
If words are not backed up with action, they are
meaningless; words only have power if they are reinforced
with deeds. In the 1950s, the United States and Russia were
in a battle of words over the dominance of outer space.
Though the U.S. talked a big game in the so-called “Space
Race,” the Soviets were actually the first ones to launch the
first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. Convincing
speeches by NASA experts were not enough to bring the U.S.
to intergalactic victory. In fact, no great discoveries or lifechanging innovations have ever been created through words
alone. If bold claims and fancy words are not reinforced
with action, not only do those words lose meaning, but the
person (or country in this case) also loses credibility. Words
are powerful, but only when they are used in conjunction
with initiative and action.
Words are easy to manipulate and stretch, while actions
always tell the truth. My mom always asks me to clean my
room, and even though I always say, “yes, ma’am,” I don’t often
follow through with my promise. Last weekend my mom got
frustrated and said, “Stop telling me you will do what I ask if
you aren’t really going to do it!” My words weren’t matching
my actions, and that hypocrisy was negatively affecting my
relationship with my mom. I ended up cleaning my room
shortly after this encounter because I wanted my actions to
reflect my verbal commitment to her. It’s easy to promise
something, but a true sign of maturity is when you can keep
those promises. My lack of action was reflecting a sad truth – I
was a liar. Since I did not want my lies to define my character, I
acted on my initial promise to clean my room. Actions reveal
our true intentions, and as a result, they are a reflection on
each of us.
Individual Writing Conferences
• Complete the half sheet detailing what you
would like to discuss during your conference.
• Please don’t give general feedback – “I need
help!”
learning from the masters
• Read the provided essays that each scored an 8 last year.
• Choose 3 of the essays to examine in-depth.
• Explain WHY these essays are so strong on your handout.