IN-CLASS WRITING SIX-STEP STRATEGY�

The “3-D Effect” – Details, Development, and Depth

​

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

• The “3-D Effect” – Details, Development, and Depth
• Whenever you write an in-class essay or written responses on an exam, details are needed so that you support your claims with examples and illustrations, particularly from your readings and class notes. For an in-class essay, direct quotations are usually not expected, but the information should be as specific and detailed as possible.
• Your professors will be expecting you to paraphrase memorable language and original imagery from the readings. Such specifics will provide concrete support so that your paper is not filled with vague generalizations or weakly supported claims. It is not enough that the details are included; they each need to be developed fully.
• (cont’d)

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

• Explain each detail and example with sufficient context from the reading to demonstrate your full understanding of the material.
• When professors assign in-class essays or essay exams rather than multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank answers, they will expect you to explore the essay prompt full and with considerable depth. You can achieve this depth by careful analysis of the full implications of your claims. Avoid quick answers or superficial treatment of complex questions and concerns.
• To prepare for an in-class essay, you should review readings and notes before you come to class. If you spend time studying and anticipating possible essay prompts and test questions, you won’t be nervous because you will be writing about materials that you have reviewed.
• Use the following key words that follow to help you formulate possible questions that you might encounter in the prompt. Here is a six-step strategy to prepare for a timed writing assignment.

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

• A Six-Step Strategy for In-Class Writing
• 1. Read the prompt more than once.
• 2. Determine what the prompt specifically requires you to do. Have you been asked to define, list, summarize, compare or contrast, explain, or analyze?
• 3. Briefly outline the material that will satisfy the prompt. Do not spend much time on this step; the outline can be brief, with only key words or phrases to remind you of material that you need to include.
• 4. Create a thesis – placed at the end of your introduction – to focus your essay possibly forecast the areas that you will develop.
• 5. Write the essay – an introduction , several body paragraphs, and a conclusion – to support your thesis and key points (remembering the 3-D effect: Details, Development, and Depth).
• 6. Reread your answer to correct errors in spelling and grammar. Do not plan to rewrite; you will seldom have sufficient time. As you reread, if you recall material that would improve your essay, indicate that you have an insertion then write the added material on another sheet of paper.

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

• Key Words Used for Essay Prompts:
• Analyze: Break into elements or parts and examine: “Analyze the job of the Attorney General of the United States” or “Analyze Michael Pollan’s argument that you should change your actions to improve the environment.”
• Compare: Look for and bring out points of similarity, qualities that resemble each other: “Compare the intelligence required of skilled blue- and white-collar workers” or “Compare the reasons people of different ages get tattoos.”
• Contrast: Stress the dissimilarities, differences: “Contrast the characteristics of an impressionist portrait with a cubist portrait” or “Contrast the advice that J. K. Rowling gives to graduates with what her parents expected of her.”
• Define: Give the meaning of a word or concept: “Define the term archetype” or “Define a ‘cheap’ date according to Adair Lara.”
• Describe: Give an account, word picture, or narration: “Describe the Aztec civilization at Teotihuacan,” or “Describe the family tradition that Mirikitani’s narrator manages to break.” (cont’d)

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

• Key Words Used for Essay Prompts:
• Discuss: Examine, consider from different points of view: “Discuss the use of pesticides in controlling mosquitos” or “Discuss the problems inherent in playing high school football according to Don Sabo.”
• Explain: Make clear, interpret, tell the meaning of, tell how: “Explain how animals in Antarctica have been impacted by global warming” or “Explain the distinction that Vaughn makes between ‘pity’ and ‘empathy’.”
• Illustrate: Clarify with examples or analogies, exemplify: “Illustrate how current rap lyrics reflect inner-city tensions” or “Illustrate what Max Thayer learns from his reflections on King Curtis.”
• Justify: Show good reason for, give evidence to support your position: “Justify changing sport team names that refer to Native Americans” or “Justify using the Internet to ‘get smarter’.”
• Relate: Show correlation, how things are connected: “Relate an early childhood education program to elementary school academic success” or “relate the pressures within a group to people’s responses in an emergency.”
• Summarize: Give the main points or facts in condensed form, omitting details: “Summarize the myth of Oedipus” or “Summarize the plot of ‘Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?’.”
• Trace: In narrative form, describe the progress, development, or history of events: “Trace the opening of the American West through the development of wagon-train trails” or “Trace the process of reducing gas expense.”

​

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

• Understanding the meaning of words used in essay prompts allows you to stay on track and receive full credit for the information you know rather than pursuing a direction that is off-track and will fail to give you full credit for the information that you know.

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy

In-Class Writing Six-Step Strategy