What is TT/CC?

 

What is TT/CC?

Improving your writing involves strategy! Learn to use TT/CC.

TT/CC stands for Title / Topic / Clincher / Connection

TT/CC is an initialized mnemonic which some teachers might call an acronym. We use TT/CC to help us remember a very important stylistic requirement in our writing.

Let's break it down:
Title = the title of your essay.

Topic = the FIRST sentence of your essay

Clincher = the LAST sentence of your essay.

Connection = 

The title must connect with either the topic or clincher sentence (at least one)

The topic and clincher sentences must have a connection with each other.

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⇧ STOP HERE IF YOU ARE A NOVICE  ⇧

 ⇩ KEEP READING IF YOU ARE A JV OR VARSITY STUDENT ⇩

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This way they connect can be described as REPEAT,  REFLECT,  or  REFRACT

REPEAT = simply repeating the sentence (or a very close to an exact repetition).

REPEAT example: 
TOPIC SENTENCE (first sentence of an essay)
 Cheerios saved his life! 
CLINCHER SENTENCE (last sentence of the essay)  
He would always be grateful that Cheerios saved his life. 

 OR

 

TOPIC SENTENCE (first sentence of an essay) 

Her mother told her that bright colors brought her luck. 

CLINCHER SENTENCE (last sentence of the essay)

Her mother was right; bright colors brought her luck. 

 

 

REFLECT = one sentence is the opposite of the other.

REFLECT example: 

TOPIC SENTENCE (first sentence of an essay)

The sun warmed her face in the early morning gently waking her from her sleep.

CLINCHER SENTENCE (last sentence of the essay)

The moon lulled her to sleep that night with a cool soft shaft of light that spilled across her bedroom ceiling.

sun is the opposite of moon
early morning is the opposite of night
waking her is the opposite of lulled her to sleep    

warmed her face is the opposite of across her bedroom ceiling

 

REFRACT = One sentence must share a word or two OR use synonyms to connect. 
It is easy to remember this kind of connection if you remember that the word "refract" can also mean to bend, whirl, or disperse. These sentence connect in creative ways, using pieces of each other or synonyms or references to each other.

REFRACT example: 

TOPIC SENTENCE (first sentence of an essay)

Atop his trusty steed, the knight never lost control of his temper in a jousting match.

CLINCHER SENTENCE (last sentence of the essay)

The gallant warrior rode into the night in perfect control of his emotions.

Atop his trusty steed = rode into the night  --> both sentences describe a knight riding his horse 

knight = gallant warrior --> these both describe the main character in the same way with slightly different wording. Perhaps the wording at the end describes him after a great battle or quest. He is now "gallant," but he is still a knight. 

never lost control of his temper = in perfect control of his emotions  --> These are different words used to describe and reiterate his demeanor

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TT/CC stands for Title / Topic / Clincher / Connection

TT/CC is a powerful rhetorical technique. It is used in writing as well as in speeches. It is also important to understand in literature analysis and poetry.

Once you have mastered this strategy, your writing will forever be improved.

Why Stylistic Requirements

The stylistic techniques illustrate the writer's grasp of grammar, syntax, and semantics. These techniques provide students with a structured approach to enhancing their attention to detail, including the ability to follow instructions.

Both simple and complex rhetorical devices are effectively internalized through this process. Each essay in this class is designed with a strong pedagogical framework, making these requirements essential.

Additionally, the indication requirements function as mnemonic aids. This versatile skill enriches students' capabilities across a variety of academic subjects.

CC RULE (use with FANBOYS)

Here are three ways to explain the CC RULE:

CC RULE: When a conjunction connects two independent clauses, you must use a comma before the conjunction.  An "independent clause" is part of a sentence that could be a sentence by itself. An independent clause is a complete thought with subject and predicate.

EXAMPLE: 

We should travel to Italy in September, and take a train to Paris in October.

CC RULE: When a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction.

EXAMPLE:  Independently owned toy shops are my favorite stores, but they not easy to find these days.

CC RULE: When you have two independent clauses connected by a conjunction 

                  -----> You need a comma.

 During recess we played with our friends, but we never thought about the kids who had no friends.

www.asia and (5)

The www.asia clause is a stylistic technique that is a dependent clause. It is similar to the because clause. It can be a BUILDING BLOCK* (inside the sentence) or an OPENER  (5).

The "asia words" are: when, while, where, as, since, if, and although.

You may be wondering why it is called a www.asia clause. It is easy for students to remember, www.asia because it is an acronym. 

The acronym sounds like a website’s name. Each letter corresponds to a subordinating conjunction: when, while, where, as, since, if, and although. 

While these are not the only first words of subordinate clauses, www.asia lists some of the most commonly used ones. 

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NOTE:  When the www.asia clause is added to the end of a complete sentence there are no commas needed: 

Mrs. Johnson’s brindle puppy loves to play where the meadow grass is soft. 

There are no commas needed before the clause: where the meadow grass is soft.

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* IEW calls these Dress-ups

How to Kew Word Outline

 KWO= Key Word Outline

KWO rules 

1  Handwrite your KWO

2  Write the complete title  (& author if applicable)

3  Number the PARAGRAPHS and SENTENCES. 

4 Three words maximum per sentence

5  Numbers, symbols, and abbreviations – as many as you want  (do not go crazy!)                               

6  Proper names and places and businesses/organizations – may be written out completely if you need the spelling help. It does not count against the 3 word rule.

7  You can also write out all the words in a  “Quote”

How to Write a Title Block

 
Title Block Details

Merriweather 12.5 (or the same size as your essay)

1.15 spacing

Centered

Title Bolded

"by" goes directly under the title--> use lower case & do NOT bold

Name goes directly under the "by" & do NOT bold

EXAMPLE:

The Cat in the Hat

by

Dr. Seuss

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Title Capitalization Rules: 

GENERAL RULES: 

Words with five or more letters, regardless of whether the word is a conjunction or preposition, must be capitalized. 

Do NOT capitalize prepositions and conjunctions of four or fewer letters.

1. Capitalize the first and the last word. 

2. Capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, and subordinate conjunctions. 

3. No need to capitalize articles (unless it is the first or last word)

OPENERs

 SENTENCE STARTERs (OPENERs)  (1s, 4s, 5s, & 7s always take a comma!)

OPENERs start the sentence. The (6) OPENER is the whole sentence.

(S) ​Subject Opener

(1) Because

(2) Prepositional (prep)

(3) ly adverb (ly)

(4) ing

(5) www asia   (when  where while  as  since if  although)

(6) very short sentence (5 words or less)

(7) ed

(8) Abstract Noun

(9) Infinitive

(10) Adjective

(11e) EPanalePsis

(11d) Diacope

SENTENCE STARTER (OPENERs) examples

(S) ​The door is locked.

(1) Because the forecast called for rain, I took my umbrella.

(2) Under the leafy branches of an old oak tree, we found the perfect place for our picnic.

(3) Silently, the cat stalks its prey.

(4) Hugging his mom, the boy told her he was happy she was home.

(5) When the clock struck twelve, the carriage turned back into a pumpkin.

(5) While the teacher taught the lesson, the students remained attentive.

(5) Where there is smoke, there is fire.

(5) As the campfire was lit, the children ran to find the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.

(5) Since the last rehearsal, the understudy has been perfecting his lines just in case he has to take the stage.

(5) If anyone knocks on the door, be sure to call a parent to answer it.

(5) Although the day was chilly, they enjoyed their picnic.

(6) Never swim alone.

(7) Overwhelmed by the applause, the little singer cried tears of joy.

(8) Truth is an attribute that is important in government leaders.

(9) To wait seemed foolish when quick action was required. 

(10) Graceful dancers seemed to float across the stage.

(11e) The beach called to her from across the mountains, and all she wanted was the beach.

(11d) Smile through heartache; smile with your whole heart.

Infographic ENHANCEMENTS

 

Infographic SENTENCE STARTERs (OPENERs)

 

Infographic Building Blocks

Comma Queen & (4)s