The Writer’s Manual

The Writer's Manual

2015-2016 Upper St. Clair High School

English Department

Revised Summer 2015

IMPORTANT Each student in Upper St. Clair High School will receive one free copy of The Writer's Manual. Information related to the research process will be used in all courses which require research. It is the student's responsibility to keep this manual throughout his or her high school years. There is a fee for a replacement copy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 PART I.....................................................................................WRITING

The Writing Process .....................................................................2-3 The Thesis Statement........................................................................ 3 Organizational Patterns .................................................................4-5 Format of a Multi-paragraph Essay ................................................. 6 Writing in Various Modes........................................ ........... 7 Narrative Writing ............................................................................. 8 Informational Writing ...................................................................... 9 Argumentative Writing ............................................................10-11

PART II ..................................................................RESEARCH PAPER Introduction to the Research Paper............................................12-14 Selecting a Topic ........................................................................... 14 Compiling a Working Bibliography .............................................. 15 Sample Bibliography Cards ......................................................16-17 Preparing the Works Cited-Sample Entries ..............................18-23 Taking Notes .............................................................................24-26 When and How to Give Credit ....................................................... 27 Using Brackets and Ellipses in Note-Taking.................................. 28 Sample Note Cards ...................................................................29-30 Plagiarism .................................................................................31-33 Parenthetical Documentation ....................................................34-38 Word Processing the Research Paper ............................................. 39 Sample Title Page .....................................................................40-41 Format of the Works Cited Page ................................................... 42 Sample Works Cited Page .............................................................. 43

PART III ............................................................................... APPENDIX Glossary of Writing Terms .......................................................44-50 Keystone Exams Literature Assessment Glossary............... 51-60 Transitions Chart ......................................................................60-61 Glossary of Usage .....................................................................62-80 Checklist for Revision ..............................................................81-82 Checklist for Editing .................................................................83-84 Revision and Editing Symbols ...................................................... 85 Rubric for Argumentative Writing ............................................86-87 Rubric for Explanatory/Informational Writing ........................88-89

INTRODUCTION

Upper St. Clair High School is committed to helping students become effective writers. Across the curriculum, teachers encourage students to express themselves through the written word. Although inspiration, creativity, and personal style affect writing in profound ways, effective writing also requires thoughtful deliberation and knowledge: understanding of the writing process, effective organizational patterns, various modes of writing, standard conventions related to grammar and usage, and reliable methods of evaluation. Students need to learn that which brings substance and clarity to writing. Students and teachers need to speak a common language as they discuss the dynamic process known as writing.

This manual introduces, reviews, and clarifies aspects of effective writing to help Upper St. Clair students improve and enhance their ability to express themselves in their writing. The manual presents information taken in part from the following books which students may want to consult for additional information:

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2009.

Hacker, Diana. A Pocket Style Manual. 3rd edition. New York: Bedford, 2000.

---. A Writer's Reference. 4th edition. New York: Bedford, 1999.

Holman, C. Hugh and Harmon, William. A Handbook of Literature. 6th ed. New York: Macmillan, 1992.

Sebranek, Patrick, Dave Kemper, and Verne Meyer. Writers INC.: A Student Handbook for WRITING and LEARNING. Wilmington: Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

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