What does a good paper need?

Describe 

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An A paper would have very descriptive language use. Which appeal to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch). It would create a mental picture for their readers by using specific nouns, verbs, modifiers, etc. 

Example: As I stepped into Jake's filthy room, the funky smell of dirty socks climbed up my nose.

The author uses descriptive words like stepped, filthy, thick, funky, dirty, climbed. This makes reading this sentence interesting. 

As opposed to a C paper whereas writers do not use specific details, and the details in their writing seem very vague and boring. Most would be just a series of events.

Example: I went to Jake's room. It was ugly. It smelled like his dirty socks.

The author just tells us what he/she did and what it was like. It seems very boring and vague. 

Organization 

An A paper should have good structure and organization, so that a reader can understand the point you are trying to make. If you're telling a story it is important to tell it in order to avoid confusing your readers. For this, you want to use transition words and organize your story.

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Example: First, I went to Target to buy rain boots, but unfortunately they sold out. Then, I found these very cute shirts that happen to be on sale, and I bought them. Last but not least, I went home because I was very hungry.

This sentence uses the transitions like: First, Then, Last. This makes it easier to read. 

A C paper would be very confusing a difficult to picture what the narrator is trying to say.

Example: I went to the store, and I left because I didn't find the shoes I wanted. Before leaving 

I bought some cute shirts that were on sale. Then I went 

home because I was hungry.

This sentence goes back and forth it makes reading this very confusing. 

Introduction, Body and Conclusion

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An A paper contains the 3 parts of an essay an Introduction, body, and conclusion. The paper does not necessarily have to contain exactly five paragraphs , but it should have theses three parts.

A C paper perhaps does not include one of the three. Either it doesn't start with out an intro, lacks a body, or does not end with a conclusion. 

My Topics for My Literacy Narrative

One topic which I would like to write about is how I have struggled with subjects like writing and reading.  Even though, in high school I was able to get by writing something like what Anne Lamott calls "Shitty first drafts". I feel like my struggles with these subjects have held me back from doing better. For example, like getting into English 101 my first semester or doing better on the ACT writing portion.

• The pros for writing this narrative would be to tell how I struggled and I am getting better at understanding these subjects little by little. I feel like I am not the only person who struggles with theses subjects, and I would be able to relate with others. The cons about this topic is that I believe many people may talk about their struggles with writing and/or reading and I would like to make it something very different from other narratives.

I would also like to write about my high school experience. I think that my high school experiences had huge impact in my life and shaped who I am today. While I was in high school I was involved in many after school activities.

• Some pros for writing this narrative are that I would have so much to talk about. I would describe many activities I participated in. For example, how my friend and I created our school's swim team. I would also talk about how I became the president in our school's National Honors Society. Cons for writing this would be that there are so many things to write about that I don't think I will be able get all the details. 

Last but not least, I would like to write about the time I thought I was going to loose my dad forever. My dad had a heart attack, and it was a very difficult time in my life where I was clueless because I didn't know how to help him. I wish I could've given him my heart so that he would not deal with any illnesses. I think that this topic would give my audience an understanding on the things that has shaped a part of me. 

• The pros about writing this narrative is that it would be very descriptive and it is a very important part of my life that has impacted my life. I think it would tell my audience to value their parents because some of us may have them and do not value the fact that they have their parents, while others do not. 

Here it is...


       I am taking English 101 because it is a requirement at Northeastern Illinois University. Although, I believe that writing is essential while matriculating. Northeastern Illinois University requires students to take an English class, so that students know how to write legitimately. As students become upperclassmen and educated, the university wants to prepare these students for all their classes. Many classes require students to write essays, reports, summaries, and other writing assignments. Appropriate writing skills are important for students, that way students know how to write different types of writings such as narratives, argumentative essays, reports and other types of essays. Preparing student for these types of writing is important so that professors do not have to explain the writing process in their classes, nor will they have to go through multiple revisions and receiving bad essays. It makes it so much easier for professors to give out assignments, knowing that student already know how to write an essays. I personally think that requiring an English class really helps many Northeastern students so that they write at a college level.
      This class can benefit me in various ways because writing is not my best subject. I think that taking this course will help me learn more about writing better essays. I understand the basics about writing such as grammar, punctuation, parts of an essay and paragraph structure. I believe that I need help on getting my ideas together and making a well constructed/supported essay. I tend to leave out plenty of information on my essays and I am not very descriptive. I find writing to be a difficult process; this course can help me become a better writer.