 As
you draft your paper, keep the outline
next to you as a guide. Write the paper and
add your sources. Keep in mind the
following:

Vocabulary: Write in a mature and professional
manner. Practice using higher-level vocabulary by
consulting a thesaurus, and use a variety of
sentences to make your writing fresh and
interesting to read.

Details: Include descriptive, concrete details as
opposed to abstract language that is vague and
unclear.






Vague: Data shows…
Detailed: A study by the American Heart Institute
revealed . . . .
Vague: Some researchers think…
Detailed: Researcher Jan Smith (2005) pointed out . . . .
Vague: There are contaminants in the water that can
cause diseases . . . .
Detailed: The water contains minerals, such as mercury
and lead, which can cause diseases.
 White
space: A paragraph needs to be at
least three to five sentences long. Divide
extremely long paragraphs into shorter
paragraphs.

Positive language: Be positive in your
statements. Sometimes, it is easy to become
negative or to write overly opinionated or
emotional statements, rather than logical
statements supported by evidence, when
discussing controversial issues. Consider the
following example:

Too negative: Many Americans are angry because the
Iraqi War has been going on for years and many
soldiers are continuing to die.

Improved: The American government should focus on
a solution and timely plan to pull troops out of Iraq
before any more lives are lost.
 Transitions:
words or phrases that connect
one point to the next, one sentence to the
next, or one paragraph to the next.

include transitions to make your information
flow so the reader might easily follow your
arguments and examples.
Categories
Time
Frequency
Order
Location
Addition
Opposition/Contrast
Comparison
Causation
Clarification
Qualification
Conclusion
Illustration

Transitions
In addition
In other words
In this context
In conclusion
Often
now
Then
Outside
First
Furthermore
Frequently
In summary
Next
Nearby
However
Likewise
Because
For example

Body Paragraphs DUE 07/26(TTH) 7/30(MW) MUST BE
TYPED!!!
 construct only the body of your essay. This first draft
of your paper must be complete enough (at least 900
words) for constructive feedback. Use MLA style
standards to format in-text citations and references.
Resources:
 Use your outline as a guide to develop topic
sentences and appropriate types of supporting
paragraphs for the body of your essay.
 Include appropriate transitions within and between
paragraphs.
 Consult the Little, Brown handbook for grammar
rules.
 Please
work on the Transition worksheet. You
may work with a partner!
 Turn the worksheet in when you are done.
 PLEASE
REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR DRAFT!!!