[...]... are exact and appropriate; an occasionally ineffective word choice Mix of general and specific words; some pretentious language or jargon Mostly general Word choice inexact words; often ineffective word choice some- or inappropriate times inappropriate Grammar Virtually error free A few grammatical errors, but none that interfere with clarity Several grammatical errors; may interfere with clarity Many... freewriting exercise in Lesson 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 Studied all week to get ready for exam Taking exam—seeing everyone cheating Very angry Typing up note at home Leaving note on teacher’s desk Teacher confronting class People deciding it was Pearl who told on them Begin mean to Pearl Feeling guilty Telling Rob Walking into cafeteria and having people make fun of me People avoiding me for weeks 1 79. .. – ANSWER KEY– Practice 2 Here’s an outline for the same freewriting exercise using cause and effect as the main organizing principle How I came to be called “The Rat”: 1 Start with walking into the cafeteria and people pointing at me, saying, “Look, there’s the Rat.” 2 Describe how I’d left an anonymous note for the teacher • describe why—the test 3 Explain how Pearl was blamed 4 Describe dilemma—wanting... and how it differs from the definitions of stars and asteroids Explain how the solar system as we know it today will change if size becomes a defining characteristic of a planet Lesson 3 Practice 1 Answers will vary Here’s one possibility: When I was in the ninth grade, it was chemistry class, the first exam, and a lot of people were cheating They all had cheat sheets and were even passing them back and... me “rat,” and worse That name has stuck with me for two years, and it hasn’t been easy making friends I don’t know if I’d do the same thing again It’s so hard to know what is the right thing to do, and how to fit in at the same time Practice 2 Here’s an example: A strong determining factor for my sense of identity is being a Vietnamese American • • • • • • one language for home and neighborhood, another... transitions throughout Ideas are well organized; good transitions throughout most of essay Essay has organizing principle, but pattern may be disrupted; some ideas are out of order; some transitions may be weak or missing Organizing principle may be unclear; many transitions are missing No organizing principle; weak or missing transitions throughout the essay Sentences Ideas come across clearly; variety... Many grammatical errors; often interfere with clarity Mechanics Virtually error free A few mechanical errors, but none that interfere with clarity Several mechanical Many mechanical errors; some may errors that interfere interfere with with clarity clarity 175 Most sentences have grammatical errors, often interfering with clarity Most sentences have mechanical errors that interfere with clarity – ANSWER... into a question: How have certain sports figures helped popularize their sport and in turn in uence fashion trends in sneakers among their fans? Tentative thesis: Charismatic sports figures can popularize their sport, widening their fan base, and in turn endorse products such as a particular sneaker that becomes a must-have trend in popular culture Lesson 6 Practice 1 Here is a sample chronological outline... evidence in the appeals of death penalty convictions has changed the nature of the controversy surrounding this important issue 3 My fascination with American history began when I read The Grapes of Wrath 4 The Internet must remain a completely uncensored environment 181 – ANSWER KEY– Lesson 9 Practice 1 The following is the most logical way to divide the text into paragraphs (although minor variations are... to have my introduction done before I write the body of an essay Sometimes I get stuck too because I have trouble organizing my ideas I usually don’t outline unless my teacher says I have to I should start doing outlines (at least rough ones) and start working on my essays earlier I also need to make sure I am clearer about my audience and purpose I think I’d write better (and be more relaxed) if I . concessions. Organization Ideas are well Ideas are Essay has organiz- Organizing No organizing organized; struc- well organized; ing principle, but principle may principle; weak ture is clear; good transitions. choice. Grammar Virtually error free. A few grammatical Several grammati- Many grammatical Most sentences errors, but none cal errors; may errors; often inter- have grammatical that interfere with interfere. I was in the ninth grade, it was chemistry class, the first exam, and a lot of people were cheating. They all had cheat sheets and were even passing them back and forth. I was new, and I made