ICTW
Expectations and Tips
The important questions…
(not really)
• How many paragraphs should my essay be?
• Short Answer: 4
• Long Answer: This is totally up to you. I think three could possibly be enough depending on your
writing skills. Five could be fine, provided you don’t ramble. Here are some numbers that won’t
work: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.
• How many sentences should be in each body paragraph?
• Short Answer: 8
• Long Answer: Again, totally up to you. I say eight because you need a topic sentence (1), a
concluding/transition sentence (1), at least three pieces of evidence (3), and commentary to go
with that evidence (3). 1+1+3+3=8
• If you can write more than eight without rambling, please do! 
Introductions
• Your introduction is your first impression; however, I know that forty-five
minutes is not a lot of time. Sooo, for this essay, I think your introduction
should be two sentences.
• First sentence: Give me some background information about the passage or novel
• Second sentence: Your thesis – don’t forget TATTT and DO NOT FORGET TO
ANSWER BOTH PARTS OF THE PROMPT!!!
Body Paragraphs
• I’m sure you’ve been told that you always need three body paragraphs.
• Well, you don’t.
• Two body paragraphs work for me. Just make sure to include in each:
• A topic sentence
• Three+ pieces of evidence (evidence = embedded quotation)
• Commentary – why is that evidence important? why does it support your thesis?
• Transition/Concluding sentence – smoothly transition from one paragraph to the next
The Dreaded Topic Sentence
• I can’t tell you how much I despise poorly constructed topic sentences.
They’re so easy!
• Your topic sentence should tell me what you will be discussing in the
paragraph. So if your paragraph is about diction, say that in your topic
sentence!
• Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. As you know, most prompts ask two
questions. Your topic sentence has to answer both parts. Let’s look at some
examples…
Totally Awesome Example
(And some that aren’t)
• Prompt: Discuss how diction, imagery, syntax, and/or figurative language
impact the tone of the first paragraphs of Angela’s Ashes.
• By soaking his narrative with negative, gloomy diction, McCourt crafts a depressed,
melancholic tone.
• This passage tells about the “miserable Irish Catholic childhood” of the author.
• The strong diction in this passage is depressing.
• Which is the best one?! (This should be super easy)
More, you say?!
• Prompt: Discuss how Tolkien’s use of diction, details, imagery, tone, and/or
figurative language helps to characterize Bilbo Baggins.
• Bilbo Baggins is a “well-to-do” hobbit who goes on an adventure.
• The tone of the passage is happy because Bilbo likes to throw parties and have friends
over.
• Tolkien includes details about Bilbo’s home in order to suggest that Mr. Baggins is a
friendly, social hobbit who enjoys the finer things in life.
• Which is the best this time?!
Topic Sentence Don’ts
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•
•
•
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Don’t summarize the passage
Don’t use quotes
Don’t answer the prompt halfway (ALWAYS ANSWER BOTH PARTS)
Don’t list examples included in your paragraph
Don’t be scared! 
Evidence. Choose it wisely.
• You’ll have an entire day in class tomorrow to find evidence to support your
thesis. Make sure it’s strong evidence. For instance, if you’re discussing
dragons and you find a quote about unicorns, probably don’t use that.
• Your evidence MUST be explained. Don’t just throw some quotes in there
and say, “okay, done!” I want to know why you picked what you picked. Why
is it important to your thesis? Everything ALWAYS goes back to your thesis.
• Make sure you embed you quotes and cite them (Card page#).
Embedded Evidence
• This is no bueno: I am talking about Ender. “Here is a quote about Ender.”
• This is a little more bueno: Card says, “Ender is awesome.”
• This is the most bueno: By detailing Ender’s “strength in combat” and his
“lust for blood,” Card demonstrates that Ender has violent tendencies.
• Note: these are not real quotes. I made them up. Sorry.
• Your evidence should be seamlessly incorporated into your commentary.
There’s no rule that says evidence and commentary have to be separate
sentences!
Transition Sentence
• This is pretty self-explanatory.
• This sentence should be the last sentence of a body paragraph. It allows you
to transition from one paragraph to the next.
• Example:
This paragraph is about diction, blah blah blah. In addition to whatever kind of
diction, Card also utilizes whatever kind of syntax in order to prove whatever he’s proving.
This paragraph is about syntax, and I know that because of the transition sentence
above – this is where my topic sentence goes about syntax. Woo!
Conclusion
• Again, forty-five minutes is not a long time. If your conclusion isn’t the best,
it won’t majorly affect your grade.
• Two sentences:
• First sentence – sum up your paper without restating your thesis.
• Second sentence – make a more global connection or universal statement that doesn’t
just apply to Ender’s Game
• Conclusions can be difficult, so we will work on them as the year goes!
Tips
• Use the first three to five minutes to quickly outline your essay on your prompt paper. You will be
getting a planning day, so I would use time during the planning day to get this step done.
• If you can’t think of your introduction, skip it and come back at the end! Just make sure you
definitely have a thesis when you turn your paper in!
• Keep an eye on the time. Give yourself about 12-15 minutes per body paragraph.
• Use the whole time, even if you’re done writing. It’s always a good idea to leave yourself time to
go back and revise! But keep in mind, you get 45 minutes. That’s it. You can’t stay after the bell.
• Use the ENTIRE class tomorrow to plan. Don’t think you’re done when all of your sheet is filled
out. Think about how you’ll organize your essay, the words you want to use, how to embed your
quotes, etc. Take advantage of the extra time I’m giving you.
ABOVE ALL
• Take a deep breath and believe in yourself. I know that’s cheesy, but it’s true.
• This is your first ICTW of high school. This will NOT determine whether or
not you get into Harvard. It’s not the end of the world. As the year goes,
you’ll improve. And then you’ll get even better next year. And the year after.
And senior year. And college. You will ALWAYS be growing as a writer. This
is just a step in the process, not the end result. 
• Good luck! And know that I believe in you!