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Writing and Outlining an Academic Paper

 Before you start writing an academic paper, here are a few basics to know: The paper should be written from an impersonal viewpoint. Students should not add their opinions unless given specific instructions otherwise.  The papers are based on facts and need supporting information (historical information, scientific data, research). The papers should also include information based on an interpretation of the facts by professionals in the field (art or literary critics, professional historians, scientists, researchers, other professionals in the field, or direct witnesses to an event—first person accounts). Don’t assume the reader knows anything about your topic. Write as if you have to tell the reader details so she will understand who and what you are talking about.  Papers should include in-paper citations (plus a bibliography) with a minimum of five sources.  Make sure you know what type of paper you are being asked to write. Types of academic papers include: Desc...
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High School English: Literary Devices Vocabulary

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  Greetings! I hope this blog is helpful as you navigate your high school English courses. This lesson offers a vocabulary list highlighting the tools used by authors to convey their messages to readers and the tools that can help you deepen your writing.  Literary devices strengthen any written work. These tools help engage readers by evoking emotions or providing insight into a character, setting, or situation. Literary devices keep books from being predictable and dry. For example, look at these sentences that basically give the readers the same information:  The tan dog ran outside.  The quick canine leapt through the grass like a gazelle.  The tumbling tan mutt trotted freely in the fresh air.  The perky puppy pounced out the door and joyfully paraded through the yard as excitedly as a trombonist in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.   The hound hopped hungrily through the grass after a cricket, becoming a lion cub learning to track its first pre...
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High School Language Arts: Expository Writing and Using Citations

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Write a short expository essay discussing the Greek and Latin origins of many English words. This should be a summary giving some specific examples but mainly serving as an overview of the topic. This essay must be between 500 and 750 words.    An expository essay is nonfiction writing that is based on facts and explains something in detail. These essays can vary in length with some being five pages or longer. For this. topic, you could easily write several pages. For this assignment, however, you are being asked to keep this short. Your essay is meant to be an overview. Sometimes, writing short essays seems harder than writing long ones. You have to decide what leave out.    Remember that each paragraph needs to be focused on one idea. You will have a topic sentence for each paragraph that smoothly moves you into the new focus. You will provide supporting information, and then you will end each paragraph with a concluding sentence.    Also remember that th...
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Vocabulary Review: Latin Root Fer

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  Greetings! Today's lesson helps you strengthen your vocabulary. There are many layers to most words—prefixes, suffixes, roots. When you learn more about these layers, you can often know the meanings of new words (or at least come close to a definition) by breaking down the word and knowing what each layer means.  This lesson gives you a chance to learn the Latin root fer/ferre which mean "to bring" or "to carry."  Write a definition for each word using your dictionary. Note if the word can be both a noun and a verb. Also write a sentence using each word correctly.  Aquifer Conifer Ferry Inference Prefer Reference Transfer Vociferous Circumference Fertile Confer The Greek root with a similar meaning is: pher/phor/pherein. These roots also mean "to carry" or "to bear." Define these words and write a sentence using each one.  metaphor periphery phosphorus semaphore pheromone euphoric chromophore
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Vocabulary: Words Often Used Incorrectly

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  For this post, let's focus on words that are frequently used incorrectly when speaking or writing. Add a definition for each word. Write at least one sentence using that word correctly.  effect affect bemused infamous redundant aisle isle advise advice compliment complement Creative writing challenge: Write a very short story (275-400 words) using three of these words correctly. Academic writing challenge: Write a formal paragraph about one isle. Tell the readers something of interest about the isle. Follow standards for an academic paragraph: topic sentence supporting fact supporting fact supporting fact concluding sentence For more writing and grammar tips, see my writing guides (no charge) on my other blog: https://www.looktoseeme.com/blog
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Short Story Assignment: Plot Development

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Let's move to a creative exercise with this post. Creativity helps strengthen your thought processes and your academic writing. Writing creatively doesn't mean I'm trying to turn you into a published author. That's not the path for everyone; however, you can learn to think outside of the boxes you have created for yourself and stretch the way you approach writing.   Let's review a few things about short story writing:  Avoid information dumps. You don't want to give your readers large chunks of information about the characters or plot all at once. Information can be revealed as the readers needs to know it. You can also use dialogue with main or minor characters to bring in new details.  The story should have a good balance between dialogue and descriptions.  Readers need to experience things with their senses. Tell us details that help readers picture the scene—reveal what the characters see or hear or smell when they enter a new space so the story feels real a...
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Short Story Writing: Character Development

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  Write a short story (between 800 and 2000 words) that shows a strong, positive relationship between two people working on some type of project together. The story can involve two students, two co-workers, or two strangers who meet and become friends when working on this project together. The two people should have something in common and something that is very different from the other. Let readers know how they use their strengths and how they resolve their differences. Stick with the word count assigned.     What’s needed in a short story?  ·        Character development ·        Plot that reader can follow ·        Balance of dialogue and description   Two main characters:   ________________________________   ________________________________     One-sentence plot overview:    _________________________________________________________________...
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