6th Grade English Final Paper

Chapter 1

Understand the Prompt & Requirements

1

Decode the prompt (task words, audience, purpose)

2

Make an assignment checklist (length, due date, rubric)

3

Know the common paper types (opinion, informative, narrative)

4

Write down clarifying questions to ask your teacher

Chapter 2

Choose a Topic & Build a Thesis

5

Brainstorm topic ideas (lists, mind maps, freewrite)

6

Narrow your topic to one focused question

7

Write a strong thesis statement

2 subtopics

8

Thesis patterns (opinion: claim + reasons; informative: topic + main points)

9

Thesis test: specific, arguable, and supportable

10

Choose 2–4 supporting reasons or main points for your thesis

Chapter 3

Gather Ideas & Evidence (Reading/Research)

11

Take useful notes while reading

2 subtopics

12

Two-column notes (facts/details vs. your thoughts/questions)

13

Practice quote vs. paraphrase vs. summary (in your own words)

14

Find allowed sources (class texts, library books, teacher-approved sites)

15

Evaluate sources (author, date, accuracy, bias, reading level)

16

Record source information as you go (titles, authors, pages, URLs)

17

Avoid plagiarism (credit ideas, use your own wording, cite sources)

Chapter 4

Outline & Plan Your Paper

18

Learn the basic structure: introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion

19

Build an outline before drafting

2 subtopics

20

Choose outline style: bullets vs. sentence outline

21

Order your body paragraphs logically (strongest-to-weakest or chronological)

22

Plan transitions between ideas

2 subtopics

23

Transition words & phrases list (however, for example, in addition, as a result)

24

Where to place transitions (between sentences, paragraphs, and sections)

25

Plan evidence for each paragraph (claim → evidence → explanation)

Chapter 5

Draft the Paper

26

Write the introduction

2 subtopics

27

Hook strategies (question, surprising fact, short story, strong statement)

28

Introduce the topic and clearly state the thesis

29

Write body paragraphs

3 subtopics

30

Write a clear topic sentence for each paragraph

31

Add evidence and explain how it supports your point

↗ Transition words & phrases list (however, for example, in addition, as a result) (see Chapter 4)

32

Write the conclusion (restate thesis, summarize points, final thought/call to action)

33

Use appropriate tone and word choice (school-appropriate, clear, consistent)

Chapter 6

Revise, Edit, and Proofread

34

Revise for ideas and organization (clarity, missing points, paragraph order)

35

Edit for sentence quality and word choice (remove repetition, strengthen verbs)

36

Proofread mechanics (grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation)

2 subtopics

37

Common fixes: run-ons, fragments, subject–verb agreement, commas, apostrophes

38

Read-aloud proofreading (slow reading; one sentence at a time)

39

Peer/parent review checklist (easy to follow? evidence explained? confusing parts?)

Chapter 7

Format, Cite, and Submit

40

Formatting basics (title/heading, spacing, font, page numbers if required)

41

Citations & bibliography

3 subtopics

42

Simple MLA-style Works Cited basics (author, title, container, date)

↗ Record source information as you go (titles, authors, pages, URLs) (see Chapter 3)

↗ Avoid plagiarism (credit ideas, use your own wording, cite sources) (see Chapter 3)

43

Final submission checklist (file name, turned in correctly, rubric met)