Yearbook
Common Sense Online
Drama Club
Forensics
Summer Reading 2006
Debate
Lunchtime Academic Support--Writing Lab
Broadcast
Journalism's Globehead Project
Wootton
Writing Workshop on the World Wide Web
How
to Write an Essay
How to Grade a Paper
Grading
Policy
SAT
Information
HSA
Information
Turnitin.com
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How
to Grade a Paper
Structure 40%
The required thesis sentence represents the organizing structure of the
essay and is typically the last sentence of the introduction. The thesis
sentence articulates one central idea and specifies the supports for the
central idea (typically three) that the paper will explore.
One central idea must be clearly stated. For example, in an essay on “The
Tell-Tale Heart,” the narrator’s insanity is a central idea.
The areas of support for the central idea -- typically three -- are specified
in a thesis statement. For example, in “The Tell-Tale Heart,”
the narrator’s acute hearing, irrational thinking and bizarre actions
support the central idea that the narrator is insane.
A sub-thesis sentence (topic sentence) is required near the beginning
of every subsequent paragraph (the body paragraphs). The body paragraphs
– typically three in an essay -- each articulate and explore one
of the areas of support stated in the thesis. For example, in the “The
Tell-Tale Heart,” a sub thesis could be: The narrator's insanity
(central idea) is shown through his acute hearing (one area of support).
Content 40%
Specific textual supports – short quotations of the author’s
words -- are required in each body paragraph. The textual supports must:
• argue the central idea;
• belong in the category in which they have been placed;
• be explained and analyzed in relation to the central idea and
the particular area of support under discussion in the body paragraph.
A rephrasing of a quote is not an appropriate explanation.
Style 15%
There should be a variation in diction and syntax.
Diction, the specific words used in writing, should not be repetitive.
For example, in a paper on the Telltale Heart”, the central idea
of insanity should be expanded using other words or phrases that illustrate
the concept, i.e. disturbed, unhinged, of unsound mind, disordered thinking,
mad…. The substitution of words randomly picked from a thesaurus
is not sufficient. Students should demonstrate they understand the refinements
of meaning that synonyms represent.
Another example of repetitive diction that detracts from style is the
use of the word “show” or “this shows” in explaining
textural supports. Typically, “this shows” can simply be removed
and the sentence will stand without it.
Syntax – The order and relationship of words in a sentence should
be varied, with some sentences beginning with clauses and some with the
subject, so as to provide a natural, interesting flow of ideas.
The use of third person (he, she and they) is standard. The use of second
person (you) is not appropriate and first person (I, we) is also generally
not used in formal English essays although there are exceptions.
Present tense is customary for all essays regarding literature. The presumption
is that the characters continue to exist and the action of the novel occurs
in the present.
Avoid the use of rhetorical questions.
There should be a smooth incorporation of textual supports into the student’s
own sentences, with no more than 5-6 words of the text cited.
Mechanics 5%
Spelling
Punctuation (i.e., periods and commas should be inside close quotation
marks)
Mechanical errors, including sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
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Staff
Contacts--301-279-8585
Joy
Pohl, Resource, ext. 8584
Theresa
Duarte (Yearbook)
Amani
Elkassabany
Frances
Fortner
Barbara
M. Gatewood
Garvan
Giltinan
Adam
Graham
Michelle
Hanson --Humanities - 301-517-8173
Jeanine
Hurley
Kristin
Keating
(Bonnie
Keys)
Gretchen
Kube
Alton
Lightsey
David
Lopilato
Greg
Malling
Nathan
Myers
Michelle
Olson
Ike
Onley
Madeleine Osgood
Krista
Price
Jaclynn
M. Rozansky (Newspaper)
Emily
Sigman
Belle
Thomas
Rhoya
F. Tocco
Peggy
Smith, Eng. Comp. Asst. - 8586
KathyJo
Horan, Eng. Comp. Asst. - 8586
Pamela
Johnson, Eng. Comp. Asst. --8586
Kathleen
Wolfrey, Eng. Comp. Asst., Webmaster - 8586
Susan
Krouner, Paraeducator
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