Objectives:
• Reflect on your writing strengths
and determine areas of
improvement using Macbeth
paper feedback; then, set goals for
your next formal writing
assignment.
– Strengthen your formal literary analysis
writing by planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Matheny’s Notes: Thesis Statements
• Positive: Focused on the author’s use of
language and conventions to convey ideas
Reflecting on Thesis Statements
• Area in need of improvement: develop the
significance of the so-what part of the
thesis statement
• Example:
– Shakespeare uses hand imagery to reflect the
Macbeths’ guilt.
– Shakespeare uses hand imagery to reflect the
Macbeths’ guilt, drawing attention to their
action and emphasizing that free will, rather
than fate, draws them to murder.
Reflecting on Evidence
• Positive:
– Quote integration
– Citations
• Area in need of improvement:
– Select evidence we haven’t discussed a lot in class
to show original thought
– Never start a transition with the word “To”
• To add, To summarize, To build, To compare
• Instead, creatively begin the sentence with content
Reflecting on Analysis
• Never miss a chance to name a
literary convention in a quote
and discuss its significance
• Use the author’s name
frequently to assure you’re
focused on the writing rather
than plot summary
• IB English Guiding Question:
– How does the author’s use of language, structure,
technique, and style create meaning?
Reflecting on Organization
Your BTSs and CSs need a so-what piece too.
(Because the T stands for THESIS. #hint)
Reflecting on Style
EDIT FOR BREVITY
BAD
GOOD
• Macbeth is asking
• Lady Macbeth is killing
• Banquo is stalking
• Macbeth asks
• Lady Macbeth kills
• Banquo stalks
“This quote is showing …”
[Just start with
whatever the next word
would be] Shakespeare
juxtaposes …
Reflecting on Style
PASSIVE VOICE
1. Hand imagery is used to show
Macbeth’s guilt over his murderous
actions.
2. The night is personified as being
blind, affording safe passage for
malcontents.
3. Lady Macduff is described as a bird,
revealing her frailty and
foreshadowing her demise.
Reflecting on EXEMPLARY WORK
What admirable
choices did each
writer make when
writing their essay?
Reflection & Goal Setting
Your Macbeth Essay
Next Steps:
• Log on to turnitin.com and read the
feedback Matheny left for you on your
essay
• Review the rubric that we pass back to
you
• Reflect on the three questions on the
back of the rubric
Graphing Writing Improvement
(Hopefully)
Please take out:
• 2-3 colors of pen
• Laptop
• Graph Handout
Objectives
• Track patterns in your
writing assessment
• Use data:
– To set realistic writing improvement goals
– To inform instructional decisions
• Strategize about methods you will use to
improve your writing
Rubric-Score Thesis Data To Track
2015
•
•
•
•
•
•
Summer Reading Poster Thesis (9/04)
Canto III Comparison Thesis (9/14)
Dante Test Thesis (9/29)
Macbeth Act II Paragraph (10/20)
Macbeth first semester essay (11/24)
LOTF Jack Thesis (12/02)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6