Introductions and Conclusions

 Click here for updated links to these must-have guides

AP resource folders for our target skills

Sentence combining skills:

see this folder for annotated samples, labeling exercises, and the guide to 8 types of phrases and clauses

Style Workouts

Try to find the errors, review the guide, and look at annotated samples of all the real errors students make and how to make them better!

Weak, Passive, and Wordy:  

The guide that makes sense of weak verbs vs. action verbs, active vs. passive voice, and how abstract subjects and nounifications make everything wordier

College Essay notes and resources

By numerous popular requests, I've included some links here about some of my college essay "best of suggestions":

-Our "Common App prompts outline planner: 
This lays out the "four parts" of all these closely-related prompts


-Want to see one?  a great model story/ "college essay."  (note:  the second page contains a "worst-ever" version that follows the same form, and the same story.  As you compare both, notice how the choice of details in the good one conveys curiosity, optimism, and humility.  Notice too how the "bad" version comes off as uncurious, pessimistic, and arrogant.)

-Introduction notes  to "Experience"/"personal narrative" prompts, including a brief appendix on the "7 traits of maturity", especially how to stand out from the pack by ephasizing "curiosity" above all!

-More notes on the "traits of maturity" and general suggestions for tailoring your MESSAGE...

-Notes about all 3 basic types of "Personal statements" and how to use your research about schools to write better essays, and make better college choices!

Link to my style guide appendix:  see Appendix, rule 6 for the "high/low diction" rule
and Part one, last rule for the importance of "I"!

And finally,
A fun valediction for past, parting seniors:  It's just a list of notes, but several students told me (after visiting from college: "It's all true."  They're my top ten (actually, 11) pointers for what every PWGD needs to do to get the most out of college, ANY college, once you get there.