Rubric for Feature Articles
AN OUTLINE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLES I. SOURCES OF MATERIAL 1. What appears to have suggested the subject to the writer? 2. How much of the article was based on his...
Category: Writer’s Handbook
Here is an online writer’s handbook with articles and links to helpful resources. If you are looking for the Excellence in Literature Handbook for Writers, please see Writers-Handbook.com.
Short Story Analysis – NDLA
How to Analyze a Short Story What is a Short Story? A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event. It is limited in scope...
How to Write a Book Report – NDLA
Books reports can be fun if you know how. While reading, keep a notepad to write down notes and page numbers of content you might want to use. For example, write down scenes that...
Literary Genres – NDLA
The word genre is originally French and means kind or type. In this connection genre is used to classify literary forms. There are a number of genres and subgenres that will identify a literary...
Don’t Copy! How to Avoid Plagiarizing
Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. It is always wrong, but it’s an especially serious offense as you go through high school...
On the Art of Fiction by Willa Cather
In her 1908 work, A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays, author Willa Cather (1873 – 1947) offers young writers some sage advice. On the Art of Fiction One is sometimes asked about the “obstacles”...
Approaches to Literary Interpretation
A story is not a problem to be solved, but a continent to be explored. Dr. Randy Laist Using the Cinderella story, Dr. Randy Laist of Goodwin College discusses some approaches to literary interpretation,...
The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey is a classic story structure in which someone — often an unlikely hero — is called to adventure. Through the help of a mentor, he/she crosses to a challenging and unfamiliar...
How to Evaluate Writing (It’s More than Grading Papers)
Grading papers is usually not a favorite chore, but have you ever thought of writing evaluation as a teaching tool? That is exactly what it can be! Every writing assignment can help a student...
3 Tools You Need to Construct a Reasonable Argument
What is an argument? An argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something. It is prompted usually by a disagreement, confusion, or ignorance about something which the arguers wish to resolve or illuminate...
Figures of Speech: Schemes and Tropes
Schemes and Tropes Schemes and tropes are figures of speech, having to do with using language in an unusual or “figured” way: Trope: An artful deviation from the ordinary or principal signification of a word....
Types of Humor
Literary devices that create humor As you read, you will encounter many types of humor, and you will find some types funnier than others. If you want to learn to use humor in writing, it helps...
Research Paper Tips
7 Tips for Taking Your Research Paper from Snoozeworthy to Spectacular by Janice Campbell If you have mastered the basics of writing a research paper, it’s time to take your paper to the next...
How to Create a Reverse Outline
Reverse Outline: A useful tool As you work with a text —essay, story, speech, article, or fable, it can be helpful to create a reverse outline. This can help you see the structure of the...
How to Annotate for Active Reading
If you read actively and annotate your books, you will understand and enjoy the text more deeply than if you simply skim. Here are suggestions for effective annotation.
Creating Outlines by Kathleen Lietzau
Creating Outlines by Kathleen Lietzau What is an Outline? Macro Outlines Micro Outlines Crafting an Outline Moving from the Outline to the Paper What is an Outline? An outline is a way of formally...
Plot Diagram: Freytag’s Pyramid
German novelist Gustav Freytag created a diagram to illustrate dramatic structure. While his original intent focused on drama, Freytag’s pyramid is also useful for mapping the action in short stories and novels. Exposition: The...
Journalism Story Structure by Mark Grabowski
Journalism Story Structure by Mark Grabowski Organizing the way you write journalism articles is as important as organizing the way you tell any story. Readers won’t tolerate a confusing story. They want a story...
Sample Compare-Contrast Essay Outline
Sample compare-contrast essay outline Have you ever wondered how to logically organize a compare-contrast essay? Here is a sample essay outline in which Achilles’ and Odysseus’ attitudes toward war are compared and contrasted. Subject: Homer’s...
How to Write a Compare-Contrast Essay
What is a compare-contrast essay? Have you encountered an essay prompt that directs you to compare or contrast two elements (e.g., two characters in a story, two different political theories, two different religious doctrines...
How to Use a Writer’s Handbook to Evaluate Writing
Parents often wonder how to grade essays and other writing assignments. Unlike subjects where there is an answer key, writing can seem much harder to evaluate and grade fairly. However, evaluating writing doesn’t have...
Techniques of Literary Summary and Analysis
Using the nursery rhyme, “Jack and Jill,” Professor Randy Laist explains basic techniques of literary summary and analysis.
Citation and Style Guides
Citation and Style Guides Here is a list of the most commonly used citation and style guides and resources. For Excellence in Literature, you will be using MLA citations, but I suggest becoming familiar...
Glossary
Glossary This glossary of literary terms is excerpted from the Excellence in Literature curriculum, and is useful for the study of literature and writing. If there are other terms you would like to see...
