English 9 Honors
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Read the prompt carefully
Decide what it is asking you to do
Be sure to address ALL parameters of the
prompt
Common prompt words:
 DEFEND - argument “for”
 REFUTE - argument “against”
 QUALIFY – shows both sides of the argument;
“common ground”
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If the prompt asks you DEFEND, REFUTE or
QUALIFY, choose one and create your thesis
Be sure your thesis includes topic, direction
and at least two divisions
The thesis should be complex, as it is
supposed to express complex ideas.
Be sure that it comes at the end of your Intro
paragraph
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Begin with an effective sentence that grabs
the reader’s attention.
Do NOT merely repeat the prompt
Utilize the Broad to Narrow technique
End with complex thesis (topic, direction and
atleast 2 divisions)
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Be sure to include appropriate topic
sentences developed from the thesis
Don’t summarize…analyze!
Include evidence to support your ideas
Remember Writer’s Control; do not let the
evidence write your essay
Be sure to conclude your paragraphs
Skillfully incorporate text into your existing
sentences—don’t just plop them in
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Restate thesis (not word for word)
Include some kind of lesson that can be
learned from the topic/apply thematic
connection
Avoid 1st and 2nd person (I and you); these will
result in a grade no higher than a 6
 Vary your sentence structure; need simple,
compound and complex structures
 Use transitions between thoughts
 Do not start a sentence with, “This is…” (weak
style)
 Use punctuation properly (commas, semicolons,
etc.)
 Agreement: Everyone brings his/her notebook
A person needs his/her ID for school
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In the poem “The Girl Who Loved the Sky” Anita
Endrezze uses several literary techniques to
portray her feelings. Choose three of the
following techniques and discuss how these
devices contribute to Endrezze’s view of the girl
who loved the sky:
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Imagery
Figurative Language
Tone
Mood
Rhyme
First: decide what the author’s view is of the girl
who loved the sky (this will be the topic of your
thesis)
 Next: decide which devices you want to work
with as divisions, then create a complex thesis.
 Sample thesis statement:
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 Endrezze defines her admiration for the courageous
yet delicate young girl who loves the sky through her
perceptive incorporation of imagery, figurative
language and tone.
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Your thesis should be written within the first
10 minutes of allotted time to be sure to
complete essay by the end of period.
Decide which lines you intend to use as
evidence (MUST USE TEXTUAL SUPPORT).
*All textual support should link back to your
topic choice!
RELAX!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT
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Exchange papers with your partner and peer
review each other’s essays.
Score your partner’s essay using the 9 point
scale. Give reasons for the score.
Remember…you are grading for content and
style, not so much for conventions.