Organization – Key Qualities
• The writing has a brilliant beginning.
• The writing has a mighty middle that
develops logically.
• The writing concludes with an excellent
ending.
• The details tie together so writing is easy
to follow.
Think about: Grouping Details
Logically
• Are the details in an order that makes
sense?
• Do all the details tie together?
• Is the writing easy to follow?
Ways to begin – Strong Leads
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Make a bold statement – startle the reader.
Begin with a little known fact.
Open with a quotation.
Tell a brief, related anecdote.
Set the scene with a vivid description (like the stage set for a
play.)
Let two characters engage in brief, relevant dialogue.
Tell Something you (or people in general) have long believed
– something you’re about to show is true or untrue.
Put the piece right into motion: Start with something
happening.
Raise an important question – to which you’ll provide an
answer.
Let the reader in on a secret – which is also good for endings.
Ways to end – Strong Conclusions
• Suggest a conclusion you hope the reader drew.
• Tell something you learned about the world/yourself.
• Tell something that surprised, startled, disappointed, or
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pleased you.
Raise a new, related question.
Surprise the reader.
End with a scene or comment that suggests ‘more to
come.’
End with a quotation or dialogue that connects to the
main idea or message.
Sum up – if you can do it without being redundant.
Sea Snakes – Champion Divers
• Work as a group.
• Take the sentence strips out of your envelope and put them in order.
• Challenge: Can you organize sentences into 2 paragraphs.
First Lines of Published Authors
Michael Crichton –
He should have never taken that shortcut. – Timeline
Tom Sanders never intended to be late for work on Monday, June
15. – Disclosure
Things never turn ot the way you think they will. – Prey
Janet Evanovich –
The way I see it, life is a jelly doughnut. – Ten Big Ones
Sometimes, there’s a decision to be made between winning fairly
and cheating for a good cause. – Motor Mouth
When I was 12 years old, I accidentally substituted salt for sugar in
a cake. – 12 Sharp
Writing to Inform
Natural Disasters
Choose Your Natural Disaster
• Avalanches
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Tsunamis
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
Research
• Use Office of Library Resources
• Write in bullets
• Paraphrase (DO NOT COPY)
• Use the following categories
characteristics – causes….
location/terrain where usually occurs
memorable disaster (describe)
how to cope with disaster
• Source your research
Label Index Cards
Organize Research
Name and Topic
Date
Source:
Category of Research
Writing an Outline
Organize Your Research Report
• Paragraph 1. Introduction/Opening –
Remember, even though it is a research
report you want to grab your audience!
• Paragraph 2 – 4 Details – This is the meat
of your research report and where the
organization trait is applied.
• Paragraph 5 – Closing – End with a bang!
Sources
https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/language_arts/docs/Organi
zation-Trait/SeaSnakes_sentences.doc
https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/language_arts/docs/Organi
zation-Trait/SeaSnakes_the-answers.doc
https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/language_arts/docs/OrganizationTrait/Computing-Batting-Averages-for-assessment.doc
http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/feebased/index.html