The Brook Hill School Writing Guide

From the introduction: Here in these few pages you will find instructions for formatting papers as well as the basics of constructing critical essays according to MLA guidelines. Think of these “instructions” as tools to help students gain a handle on the vocabulary of critical writing (at least the vocabulary used at Brook Hill). You will also find suggestions and examples of how to execute or put into practice what is required of you when you compose a critical paper. Again, this booklet is a basic introduction. You won’t find the specifics of constructing and organizing arguments and proofs. Hopefully, you’ll learn that as you progress from grade six to your senior year. Writing a sound critical essay takes practice and thought, both of which are not that comfortable to us. However, once you master the basic elements of the critical essay you will be able to interact more effectively with your classmates and your teachers. In fact, many students at Brook Hill have made the teachers re-think their understanding of things... many have been sharpened, taught, brought deeper in their thinking through student essays. And this, really, is one of the highest goals and delights of being in an educational setting, for both teacher and student.