Step Up to Writing Is About the Writing Process Prewriting and Planning Drafting, Revising, and Editing Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and Sharing.

Step Up to Writing Is Step Up to Writing Is About the Writing About the Writing

ProcessProcessPrewriting and PlanningPrewriting and Planning

Drafting, Revising, and EditingDrafting, Revising, and Editing

Creating a Final Copy, Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and SharingProofreading, and Sharing

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The keys to an effective paragraph:The keys to an effective paragraph:

• A titleA title

• A topic sentenceA topic sentence

• TransitionsTransitions

• Good explanations and examplesGood explanations and examples

• A conclusionA conclusion

Informational paragraphs need:Informational paragraphs need:

2-4 (2.6)2-4 (2.6)2-4 (2.6)2-4 (2.6)

Now, let’s look at an actual Now, let’s look at an actual writing sample.writing sample.

Golf is a great sport to play. It’s fun to pound a Golf is a great sport to play. It’s fun to pound a

golf ball around for nine to eighteen holes. golf ball around for nine to eighteen holes.

However, to become good you need lots of However, to become good you need lots of

practice and mental toughness. Practice is easy practice and mental toughness. Practice is easy

to come by, but we need toughness too. to come by, but we need toughness too.

Personally, I need a lot of mental toughness. Personally, I need a lot of mental toughness.

Golf can be really fun if you are playing well, Golf can be really fun if you are playing well,

but if you are playing badly, it can cause but if you are playing badly, it can cause

frustration.frustration.

Smoking’s Health Toll and Price TagSmoking’s Health Toll and Price Tag

Although smoking may seem cool, it is very unhealthy and expensive.

Many people die from smoking related problems such as cancer, heart

disease etc. every year. According to World Book Encyclopedia during

the mid-1980s smoking contributed to 30 percent of all deaths from

cancer and heart disease in the United States of America. Furthermore,

cigarette smoking was associated with 85 percent of all cases of lung

cancer. Secondly, smoking is very expensive. If someone smoked one

pack of cigarettes every day that cost $3.00 for 50 years it would cost

them $54,750.00 which is enough money to buy an expensive and

luxurious car. On the contrary, if someone put $3.00 a day into a bank or

investment institution they would be making hundreds of dollars in only a

few years just because of the interest they are collecting. Clearly

smoking is very unhealthy and expensive too, so don’t start smoking

until you have considered all of the negative effects!

Fifth GradeFifth Grade

2-5 (2.7)2-5 (2.7)2-5 (2.7)2-5 (2.7)

GGangs are just a bunch of people with angs are just a bunch of people with

nothing better to do. Gangs cause problems. nothing better to do. Gangs cause problems.

I would not join a gang. Well, maybe if I was I would not join a gang. Well, maybe if I was

with my friends but probably not. My mom is with my friends but probably not. My mom is

against gangs. The movies are filled with gangs against gangs. The movies are filled with gangs

and there are a lot of songs about gangs. and there are a lot of songs about gangs.

Stay away from gangs they are bad for you.Stay away from gangs they are bad for you.

2-1 (2.1)2-1 (2.1)2-1 (2.1)2-1 (2.1)

The Five Elements of The Five Elements of Informational WritingInformational Writing

Organization is the key.Organization is the key.

Transitions are the glue.Transitions are the glue.

Conclusions tie it all together.Conclusions tie it all together.

Topic sentences and thesis Topic sentences and thesis statements are the heart.statements are the heart.

Examples, evidence, and Examples, evidence, and explanations are the meat.explanations are the meat.

Section 2 (2.8)Section 2 (2.8)Section 2 (2.8)Section 2 (2.8)

Organization is the key.Organization is the key.

Great Informational ParagraphsGreat Informational Paragraphs

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TopicTopic

Reason/Detail/FactReason/Detail/Fact

ExplainExplain

ExplainExplain

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ExplainExplain

ConclusionConclusion

ExplainExplain

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TopicCats protect themselves in two ways.

Reason/Detail/FactFirst, they are able to get away quickly from their enemies.

ExplainCats are fast runners.

ExplainThey can climb trees, too.

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Reason/Detail/FactNext, cats are good fighters.

ExplainCats’ sharp claws can inflict pain and discourage attackers.

ConclusionFelines can take care of themselves.

ExplainThey can also use their pointed incisors to bite their enemies when necessary.

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Write a topic sentence.

Go!

Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition.

Slow Down!

Explain.Give an example.

Stop!

Remind the reader of your topic.

Go Back!

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Using ColorsUsing Colorsto Teach Organizationto Teach Organization

Topic Sentence:Topic Sentence:• Green means “go.”Green means “go.”

• Green asks the writer to Green asks the writer to decide —decide —“What am I going to prove?”“What am I going to prove?”“What am I going to explain?”“What am I going to explain?”“What information will I “What information will I share?”share?”

Topic Sentence:Topic Sentence:• Green means “go.”Green means “go.”

• Green asks the writer to Green asks the writer to decide —decide —“What am I going to prove?”“What am I going to prove?”“What am I going to explain?”“What am I going to explain?”“What information will I “What information will I share?”share?”

2-11 (2.18)2-11 (2.18)2-11 (2.18)2-11 (2.18)


Reasons/Details/Facts:Reasons/Details/Facts:• Yellow means “slow down.”Yellow means “slow down.”

• Introduce key concepts to Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence.support the topic sentence.

Reasons/Details/Facts:Reasons/Details/Facts:• Yellow means “slow down.”Yellow means “slow down.”

• Introduce key concepts to Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence.support the topic sentence.

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Explain:Explain:• Red means “stop and explain.”Red means “stop and explain.”

• Present evidence.Present evidence.

• Provide explanation and Provide explanation and

examples.examples.

Explain:Explain:• Red means “stop and explain.”Red means “stop and explain.”

• Present evidence.Present evidence.

• Provide explanation and Provide explanation and

examples.examples.

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Conclusion:Conclusion:• Green means “go back to your topic.”Green means “go back to your topic.”

• Restate the topic and the position.Restate the topic and the position.

• Do not introduce new information.Do not introduce new information.

• Use synonyms and leave your reader Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.with something to remember.

Conclusion:Conclusion:• Green means “go back to your topic.”Green means “go back to your topic.”

• Restate the topic and the position.Restate the topic and the position.

• Do not introduce new information.Do not introduce new information.

• Use synonyms and leave your reader Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.with something to remember.

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Accordion ParagraphsAccordion Paragraphs

Eight Sentence Paragraph:Eight Sentence Paragraph:

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence


ExplainExplain


ExplainExplain


ExplainExplain

ConclusionConclusion2-8 (2.16)2-8 (2.16)2-8 (2.16)2-8 (2.16)

More Accordion ParagraphsMore Accordion ParagraphsNine Sentence Paragraph:Nine Sentence Paragraph:

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence


ExplainExplain


ExplainExplain

ExplainExplain


ExplainExplain

ExplainExplain

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More Accordion ParagraphsMore Accordion Paragraphs

Eleven Sentence Paragraph:Eleven Sentence Paragraph:

Topic SentenceTopic SentenceReason/Detail/FactReason/Detail/Fact


ExplainExplainExplainExplain


ExplainExplain

ExplainExplain



ExplainExplain

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Informal

Outline M

ade

Easy

A.Topic1.RDFa.Explainb.Explain

2.RDFa.Explainb.Explain

(Cave Man Talk)(Cave Man Talk)

It’s the Color, Not the FormIt’s the Color, Not the Form

1_____1_____

2 _____2 _____

3_____3_____

1_____1_____

2_____2_____

3_____3_____

2.132.132.132.13

A. Topic A. Topic

Informal OutlineInformal Outline

A. Cats can protect themselvesA. Cats can protect themselves

1.1. R/D/F Can get away from their enemiesR/D/F Can get away from their enemies

a. a. Run fastRun fast

b. b. Climb treesClimb trees

2. R/D/F2. R/D/F Good fightersGood fighters

a.a. Sharp clawsSharp claws

b.b. Sharp incisorsSharp incisors

2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)(Cave Man Talk)(Cave Man Talk)

Informal Outlines (Cave Man Talk)Informal Outlines (Cave Man Talk)

Topic = Fun ways to spend a million dollarsTopic = Fun ways to spend a million dollars

2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)

Informal OutlinesInformal Outlines


R/D/F ShoppingR/D/F Shopping

R/D/F TravelR/D/F Travel

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Informal OutlinesInformal Outlines




2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)

e New wardrobe, Nordstroms

e Paris

Informal Outlines (Cave Man Talk)Informal Outlines (Cave Man Talk)




2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)2-11 (2.27)

e New wardrobe, Nordstroms

e Paris

If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it.

Outline to ParagraphOutline to Paragraph

First, I would go shopping.




A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must.





Next, I would travel.






Visiting Paris has always been a dream.






Visiting Paris has always been a dream.

Being wealthy would clearly make me very happy.

Fun Being RichFun Being Rich

If I had a million dollars, I would have If I had a million dollars, I would have

a good time spending ita good time spending it.. First, I would go First, I would go

shopping. shopping. A new wardrobe from A new wardrobe from

Nordstrom’s is a must.Nordstrom’s is a must. Next, I would travel. Next, I would travel.

Visiting Paris has always been a dream.Visiting Paris has always been a dream.

Being wealthy would clearly make me Being wealthy would clearly make me

very happy.very happy.

Now let’s stretch a Now let’s stretch a paragraph into a book…paragraph into a book…

Step Up to Writing Is About the Writing Process Prewriting and Planning Drafting, Revising, and Editing Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and Sharing.

Documents

topic cats

topic reasondetailfact

s smoking

cigarette smoking

topic sentences

smoking related problems

gangs cause problems

heart disease