Writing+Guide

Writing Guide

[[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=200&h=73 width="200" height="73" align="left" caption="Write a topic sentence"]] GO!

[[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=200&h=75 width="200" height="75" caption="Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition."]] SLOW DOWN!

[[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=200&h=66 width="200" height="66" align="left" caption="Explain. Give an example."]] STOP!

[[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=200&h=83 width="200" height="83" caption="Remind the reader of your topic."]] GO BACK! Organization Organization is the key

Topic sentences and thesis statements are the heart. (green)

Transitions are the glue for the key ideas. (yellow)

Examples, evidence, and explanation are the meat. (red)

Conclusions tie it all together. (green) Topic Sentence

GO! // Occasion Position Statements //

Examples: After Although As Before Even Though If Since Unless Until When Whenever While GO! Power (3) Statements

Examples: two several some three a number of a few four a couple of many


 * GO! ** And, But, and Or Statements

Examples: and but so nor so or


 * GO! ** Compare and Contrast

Examples: different the same unlike alike better differences similar worse in common


 * GO! ** However Statements

Examples: as a result in fact meanwhile otherwise still nevertheless therefore next instead furthermore consequently likewise
 * GO! ** The List Statements

Examples: *All college students need //money, friends, and encouragement.// *My Grandparents prefer to vacation in the //Bahamas, Tahoe, and San Francisco//.


 * GO! ** Action Verb Statements

Examples: // Running // for the door, I //stubbed// my toe and //fell// to my knees.


 * GO! ** Using a Quotation

Examples: Although I usually appreciate the advice I receive from my grandmother, I wish that she would follow the advise of Horace: “//Whatever advice you give, be short//.”


 * GO! ** Declarative Statements

Examples: The restaurant on Maple Street //serves// the best brunch in town.

** GO! ** A Rhetorical Question

Examples: *What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? *How are your parents and teachers similar?




 * GO! ** Side-by-Side Statements

Examples: *A little stress is good. Too much is dangerous. *Having friends over to play is fun. Too many play dates can be stressful.

** Detail Sentences **

SLOW DOWN!

Common two part transitions: The first - The second One - Also One way - Another way One example - Another example At first - After First of all - Also First - Then One - Equally important

Common three part transitions: First Second  Third One Another  Next One Another  Last A good A better  The best First of all Besides  In addition To begin Then  Consequently Initially Then  After that It all started when As a result  Therefore Common four part transitions: One --- One other --- Along with --- Last To start --- Furthermore --- Additionally --- Last In the first place --- After that --- Later on –-- At last It all started when --- As a result ---Then --- Therefore At the beginning --- Then --- Following this --- Finally

Meaningful Sentences How to improve your sentence quality SLOW DOWN!

Pointless à No value: doesn’t reflect understanding of the word.

Replace à Looks good, but doesn’t prove understanding of the word.

Dictionary à Just rephrases the definition

Meaningful à Full meaning; creates a “mind movie” and paints a picture; demonstrates understanding.

Events, Examples, Evidence


 * STOP! **
 * Explain. Give an example. **

[[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=355&h=212 width="355" height="212" caption="Remember E's support your topic sentence."]]
 * __ E __** xamples
 * __ E __** xplanations
 * __ E __** vidence
 * __ E __** vents
 * __ E __** xperiences
 * __ E __** xpert opinions
 * __ E __** veryday life
 * __ E __** ffective illustrations
 * __ E __** laboration

Conclusions

GO BACK!

Restate your position. Remind your reader of your topic. Use synonyms. Summarize information, encourage readers, convince the audience, or challenge them to think.

Helpful Words or Phrases In fact Definitely Surely Obviously Certainly Truly All in all Clearly In conclusion To sum up

[[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=200&h=129 width="200" height="129" caption="*As I have said statement is important!"]] Adding the Blues The Blues are those sentences that give interesting extra information. They are the sentences that precede the topic. They decorate the topic sentence.
 * As I proved
 * As you can see"]] [[image:http://pioneermodcafe.wikispaces.com/site/embedthumbnail/placeholder?w=269&h=184 width="269" height="184" caption="The final

Examples:


 * // Before the Civil War, it was against the law in some parts of this country for Blacks to learn to read or write. Some slave owners thought that if Blacks were able to read and write, they would be difficult to control.(blue) //** One slave from Maryland who found a way to learn was Frederick Douglass, and in his biography __Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass__, he tells how he learned to read.(green)

Summaries A summary is a shortened, condensed version of an item such as an article, story, film, or chapter in a textbook. The purpose of a summary is to share the key ideas from the item with your reader. Summaries keep the same tone as the original piece and usually do not contain opinion. Summaries do not have a formal conclusion.
 * // A strong, healthy body is important.(blue) //** Nurses and doctors interviewed on “Week in Review” identified four things teens can do to keep their bodies healthy. Eating properly was the most important….Getting plenty of rest is another…. Exercise is also…. Learning to deal with stress is the fourth step….(green)


 * First **
 * Second **
 * Third **

explains gives provides describes tells lists compares shows presents invites asks encourages clarifies predicts supports suggests
 * Summary Verbs: **

Compare and Contrast In a compare and contrast paragraph, ideas are organized to show how two concepts or items are alike (compare) or how they are different (contrast). Writing a topic sentence using one of these compare/contrast words or phrases makes this kind of paragraph writing easy.


 * Sentence methods: **

alike differences similarities variations compare in common similarity varied contrast like the same vary differ opposite twins differences resemble unlike

*My third and fourth grade teachers are alike in two ways. *Dogs and cats are both great pets, and they have several traits in common. *When I tasted two brands of chocolate chip cookies, I could tell they were different. Using Prompts to Write Topic Sentences for Assessments
 * Examples: **

Read the **prompt** (the directions) completely. Do not stop after the first sentence. Many times the most important part of the **prompt** is the last sentence. Remember, following directions exactly is an important part of a writing assessment.


 * 1. ** Circle the topic and underline the part of the prompt that tells you what you will be writing about in your paper. This may be a verb: //describe, tell, explain.//


 * 2. ** Decide if the writing task requires you to tell a story **(narrative)**, prove or explain something using information from the text **(response to literature)**, or summarize a story **(summary)**.


 * 3. ** When you are ready to write, use the key word (verb) from the prompt in the topic sentence, title, lead, or thesis statement. These key words let your reader know that you have read and followed the directions.

Using Prompts to Write Topic Sentences for Assessments

__ Sample Assessment Prompt #1 __ :


 * Topic **

Pretend that your teacher has asked the entire class to share ideas for __two__ field trips for the year. One trip will be in the fall and the other will be in the spring. Both trips must be no more than an hour away from the school. __Write a letter to the teacher__ explaining __your ideas for the field trips__.


 * verb what you will write about what you will write **

__ Sample Student Response __ :

Dear Mr. Clark,
 * Topic sentence for the letter **

__ I have some good ideas for our two field trips this year __.

Using Prompts to Write Topic Sentences for Assessments

__ Sample Assessment Prompt #2 __ :


 * topic **

After reading the book __Island of the Blue Dolphins__, discuss your understanding of the story. Karana has overcome challenges in order to live safely and comfortably on her island. Describe some of the problems that Karana faced through her years on the island.


 * what you will write verb what you will write about **

__ Sample Student Response __** : **


 * topic sentence for the response **

After reading __Island of the Blue Dolphins__, it is easy to see how the Karana’s courage enabled her to overcome some difficult challenges in order to be safe and comfortable on her island.